How Solar Power Works

The conversion of sunlight to electricity is a fairly simple process. In summary, here is how it works:

1. A bank of solar panels convert the energy of the sun to electricity through a photo-voltaic process. These panels are made of silicon and can withstand hail up to a half-inch. The panels produce direct-current (DC), just like what you get from a battery.

2. The electricity generated from the panels goes through a power inverter. This device converts the DC electricity to the AC electricity that your house uses.

3. A system monitor makes sure that your solar power system is working properly.

4. The electricity from your solar power system goes through a special "net meter". This meter will actually spin backwards if your system is generating more electricity than you are using. This is what is known as "grid-tied". You do not need batteries with a grid system, as any energy that you do not use gets sent back to the grid for others to use. You receive a credit against your bill for all the excess power that you generate.

You can click here to watch a video of how a solar power system works.