HOW SOLAR WORKS
Solar panels are full of photovoltaic cells that absorb the suns’ rays and use their energy to generate en electrical current. The electrical current that is generated is DC (Direct Current) energy which is unusable for your home. With the help of an inverter, that DC energy is changed to AC (Alternate Current) energy which is allowed to flow through your home with integration of your main breaker.
The Solar Panels on your roof that are performing the photovoltaic process while they are receiving sunlight.
An Inverter that inverts the DC energy that is produced to usable AC energy.
(Click HERE to see the Inverter information)
Optimizers that are underneath each panel. These allow that specific panel to be as efficient as possible so its production is not brought down by a neighboring panel.
A Cutoff Switch so that the power run to the panels can be cut off in case of an emergency such as a fire or a need for emergency services to be on your roof.
A Photovoltaic Meter that is secondary to your standard utility meter. This is used to measure how much power is overproduced (energy produced by the solar system that you do not use in a day) and can sometimes sold back to the grid depending on your utility.
Process
The process referred to under the Photovoltaic Meter where overproduction is measured and sold back to the grid is referred to as Net Metering. Many utilities have this amazing aspect of being a solar user! It allows you to receive negative statements from your utility in months where overproduction occurs. Let your utility owe YOU money for once!