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HOW SOLAR Panels WORK

Solar energy functions by transforming sunlight into electricity, which can be utilized in households or supplied to the power grid during periods of low demand. To achieve this, solar panels are set up on rooftops, which generate Direct Current (DC) electricity. Subsequently, a solar inverter is used to convert the DC electricity from the solar panels into Alternating Current (AC) electricity, which is suitable for home use or to be supplied to the power grid.
To make an informed decision about which solar panel system is best suited for your needs, it’s wise to gain a basic understanding of solar technology. To learn more about the system’s components, click on the green circles with a + symbol on the right-hand side image. This will provide you with details about the Photovoltaic (PV) panels, Enphase Microinverters, AC Combiner Box, Main Service Panel, and Utility Meter.
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Your solar panels are made up of silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight hits your solar panels, the solar PV cells absorb the sunlight’s rays and electricity is produced via the Photovoltaic Effect. The electricity produced by your panels is called Direct Current (DC) electricity, and which is not suitable to be used in your home by your appliances. Instead, the DC electricity is directed to your central inverter (or micro inverter, depending on your system setup).

Your inverter is able to convert the DC electricity into Alternating Current (AC) electricity, which can be used in your home. From here, the AC electricity is directed to your switchboard.

A switchboard allows your usable AC electricity to be sent to the appliances in your home. Your switchboard will always ensure that your solar energy will be used first to power your home, only accessing additional energy from the grid when your solar production is not enough.

All households with solar are required to have a bi-directional meter (utility meter), which your electricity retailer will install for you. A bi-directional meter is able to record all the power that is drawn to the house but also record the amount of solar energy that is exported back to the grid. This is called net-metering.

Any unused solar electricity is then sent back to the grid. Exporting solar power back to the grid will earn you a credit on your electricity bill, called a feed-in tariff (FiT). Your electricity bills will then take into account the electricity you purchase from the grid, plus credits for the electricity generated by your solar power system that you don’t use.

Solar + Battery

With a solar and battery system, the energy generated charges a battery backup system. The battery backup system will kick in and provide your power when the solar panels do not generate enough power to meet household demands. During the day, surplus solar power is stored in the battery for use at night. Most homeowners purchase a backup generator to protect from power failures during storms and other events. However, a generator needs propane or gasoline to run it. Solar panel systems with storage batteries offer the same power protection without any of the noise and exhaust created by generators.
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