How Does Solar Energy Work?
On a basic level
Create Electricity With Solar Panels
Solar panels are comprised of smaller solar cells which are made of the element Silicon. Whenever sunlight hits the the element silicon it creates electricity.
Fun Fact: The name Silicon is derived from the Latin word 'silex' or 'silicis', which means flint. "Flint"stone is made of mostly silicon and has been used to create fire. Now it's helping us generate electricity from the sun!
Convert the Power With Solar Inverters
Solar panels produce direct current (DC) power while we use alternating current (AC) electricity for our homes and businesses. We must convert this DC electricity to AC power with solar inverters.
Note: There are many high quality solar inverters on the market and it depends on the roof angles and shading situation of the home or business that ultimately determines which inverter we decide to install.
Use the Electricity
We can now connect wires and circuits into the solar energy system and direct this electric current to power our electric powered appliances. In Texas, your solar system is grid tied so any excess power generated goes to the grid to power neighboring homes and businesses.
When you consume more electricity than your solar system is producing your meter will run forward, like normal. When you produce excess energy your meter will run backwards. You will be charged the "net" of what is metered. This practice is called net metering. With most utility providers the extra energy you send back into the grid will help offset your next electricity bill. See the video below.
Note: Although batteries are not required because of the net metering program, we can still add a battery to the home or business to take over if the grid were to go down.