How It Works

Solar energy is something we encounter on a daily basis within nature and technology. Solar energy can be characterized by active or passive technologies. Passive technologies use the sun’s energy to heat, cool, or provide lighting to a building that is oriented to the Sun’s path. Active solar is using solar electric modules or solar thermal panels to harness the sun’s energy.

What is Solar Electric?

Solar Electric is also known as Photovoltaic or PV systems. Solar modules can be mounted on a roof, pole, awning, or the ground. Solar modules come in different shapes and sizes. The solar modules convert sunlight directly into electricity (DC Current). The inverter converts that electricity into ordinary household current (AC).

How Does Solar Electricity Work?

1. Solar Modules
Solar panels are installed on your home, commercial property, or municipal building. The panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which covert sunlight into useable DC power.

2. Inverter
The DC power from the photovoltaic cells is sent to an inverter, which is converted into AC power. AC power is identical to that being sent to you by the utility.

3. Electric Panel
The AC power travels from the inverter to the electrical panel, or breaker box. This power is then available to service all electrical needs. The utility meter continually measures the electrical supply.

4. Utility Grid
The utility grid remains in place to supply electricity when more power than the system has produced is needed. This usually happens at night. Excess power produced by the solar modules flows into the grid through the electric meter, causing the meter to spin backwards and gain credit with the utility company.


Renewable Energy Facts

A 1KW PV System consists of 6-8 solar modules and requires about 100 square feet of installation area.

A 1KW PV System will prevent approx. 170 lbs of coal from being burned, 300 lbs of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere and 105 gallons of water from being consumed each month.