If solar panels are installed flat, power generation decreases significantly, typically by 20% to 40% compared to angled installations, with variations depending on latitude, seasonal variations, and environmental factors, as efficiency dramatically varies due to shading, dirt. If solar panels are installed flat, power generation decreases significantly, typically by 20% to 40% compared to angled installations, with variations depending on latitude, seasonal variations, and environmental factors, as efficiency dramatically varies due to shading, dirt. How do flat-panel solar panels generate electricity? Flat-panel solar panels generate electricity through the photovoltaic (PV) effect. The photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity, 2. PV cells are made of materials that produce excited electrons when exposed to light. A. A Flat plate Photovoltaic (PV) module that only contains flat solar panels is known as a flat-plate photovoltaic system. Flat-plate arrays as well as modules utilize both direct and diffuse sunlight, however, if the array is set in place, part of the strong sunlight is wasted due to the sun's. Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation is the process of converting energy from the sun into electricity using solar panels. Solar panels, also called PV panels, are combined into arrays in a PV system. PV systems can also be installed in grid-connected or off-grid (stand-alone) configurations.