solar power is the most abundant
renewable energy resource we have
available on earth solar generated
electricity is created by using
technology field tested and improved
upon since the 19th century when
sunlight hits the modules on a solar
photovoltaic or PV installation the
modules convert the sun's energy into
electricity that can be used to power
your home whether the electricity is
being drawn from a PV installation or a
utility company your home's power
performance will stay the same the
direct current or DC power that the
installation produces is wired into an
inverter this inverter converts the DC
power into an alternating current better
known as AC power this AC power is the
standard electrical current used for
powering most homes appliances and
luxuries throughout the world
the electrical current then flows from
the inverter to the home's electrical
service panel that feeds electricity
into the household an optional tracking
meter can keep track of a home's total
electrical consumption the total output
of the solar installation and more these
tracking systems often have live display
systems or online monitors so you can
track how much of your home's
electricity needs are being met by your
systems production and how well your
system is performing at any point in
time
during the day if the solar systems
production exceeds the houses electrical
needs the excess electricity is fed back
into the power grid when this occurs you
can observe the electrical meter spin
backwards
most local governments have a system of
credits set in place that require
utility companies to buy this excess
energy back for various renewable energy
standards portfolios and goals in
addition to reducing your electric bill
these credits can be sold to utilities
this generates revenue to pay back your
cost of investment for the PV system and
eventually turn a profit
at night or anytime a household is using
more electricity than a solar
installation is producing the extra
energy needed to power the house is
pulled from the grid as it normally
would be when you install a solar system
on a home the only noticeable difference
you'll see is on your electric bill
investing in a PV system is a smart
sensible choice that pays for itself
over time by harnessing the most
abundant free form of energy available
to us today solar power