How Solar Works

The Solar System
Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that enables users to transform natural light from the sun into AC/DC current electricity that can power homes; providing an alternative to the reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
Photovoltaic, or PV solar energy systems are made of 5 basic components:

Inverter

An inverter converts direct (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be fed into the grid for usage, or storage. After the panels, inverters are an important part of any solar installation; it is the brains of the system.

Electrical Panel

The AC electricity is sent from the inverter to your electrical panel to power your home with solar energy. The electrical panel is often called a “breaker box”.

Utility Meter

This component measures your energy use. Your meter reading may fall backward when your system generates more power than needed. Excess solar energy during the day offsets nighttime energy usage. When your excess energy goes to the grid, some utility companies will issue a credit, which in turn reduces home energy bills. This process is called, “net metering”.

Utility Grid

Where solar panel energy is gathered. “The Grid” is also the source that distributes conventional electrical power. The cost of power you use at night, or any peak time, is offset by the clean energy you provided the grid during the day, or any off-peak time. Only after using stored energy will regular grid charges begin. Any solar energy produced beyond the required amounts belong to the homeowner at not additional cost.

Making It All Work

For residential solar panels, placement matters. Solar panels work best when they are able to receive as much direct sunlight as possible each day. For most of the United States, this means placing panels to face south, and inclined at an angle similar to the area’s latitude. With more sunlight, more energy can be produced.

While You Are Sleeping

At night, your PV solar panels are still busy at work. As the panels are still connected to the grid, excess energy that was created during the day becomes the power that energizes your home while sleeping, or while away. No energy is wasted with PV solar panels, creating a self-sustainable system that actually turns your utility meter backward. As a result, the panels have actually provided you with most, or all the energy you need throughout each 24-hour day.

Net metering is one of the hottest topics for utilities today because of the way rates are currently set up in many states, net metering can be a massive subsidy for solar panel owners.

How Net-Metering Works

Most grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) solar systems today have no way of storing the electricity generated by their rooftop solar energy systems to use later. That means when your solar panels produce electricity, it goes first to powering the lights, appliances and electronics in your home.

If your solar power system produces less electricity than you need or if you need energy when the sun isn’t shining at all, that power is automatically supplied from the utility grid. If your solar power system produces more electricity than you need, the extra electricity gets delivered back to the utility grid.

For those who reside in a state that utilizes net-metering, homeowners get credited for the electricity delivered back to the grid at the same retail price paid for the electricity used by the grid. The language related to net-metering can be confusing and isn’t consistent among states where allowed.

BILL NYE, THE SCIENCE GUY – EXPLAINS

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