Solar is a great alternative renewable energy source that has benefited many people wanting to help the environment while reducing monthly electricity costs. So how exactly do solar PV systems work?
We use Net-Metering, which means production will be directly consumed by your home load first while still being connected to the grid. Essentially, we use the grid as our own battery storage to store the excess solar energy produced during the daytime.
Solar with Net-Metering works in four steps.
- Absorbing Light From The Sun
Your solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells that capture electromagnetic radiation from the sun–also known as sunlight. Each cell has a positively charged layer and a negatively charged layer. When PV cells absorb light, the sun’s energy reacts with the cells to create electrical charges through activated electrons that move in response to an internal electric field, converting the energy into a DC electric current.
2. Converting DC to AC current
Direct current cannot be used directly for your house. Inverters are used to convert DC current into an AC electric current that can be used to power your home. We specifically use microinverters for optimal efficiency. Microinverters link all panels in parallel, ensuring that all your panels work independently at the highest efficiency possible.
3. Electricity is Sent to Power Your Home
The AC electricity is sent to your electrical panel and will be used to power your home. You can easily draw more electricity any time you may need extra during the day since you are still connected to the grid.
4. Excess Electricity is Sent to the Grid
Any extra electricity generated throughout the day is sent directly back to the grid in exchange for credits, which can be used later. Those credits will be used against your own future bills, optimizing your overall savings. A bi-directional meter is installed to record these credits Although most credits are exchanged at a 1:1 ratio, please make sure to check with your local utility company to see how credits work in your province.
Your solar system will provide your home with power all year, though the amount of power that is produced does shift with the seasons. In summer, solar production peaks with the longest days of the year and consistent sunshine. During the winter, solar production is at its lowest due to short days and more variable weather. However, you should be able to produce and bank enough energy during the summer months to cover your needs during the winter.
The majority of people choose solar for its obvious economic benefits, which is producing your own energy at a much cheaper cost. That’s why a smart concept like “Net Metering” was created. The grid is the most reliable storage infrastructure for Solar, and most importantly, it’s free. That means more savings for you!
Check out how much you can save by going solar today!
Source:
https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work
https://www.certainteed.com/solar/solar-101-abcs-solar-power/
