How does a residential solar electric system work?
Solar cells in the modules mounted on your roof convert sunlight directly into DC power. A component called an inverter converts this DC power into AC power that can be used in your home. The system is interconnected with your utility. During the day, if your solar system produces more electricity than your home is using, your utility may allow net metering or the crediting of your utility account for the excess power generated being returned to the grid. Your utility would provide power as usual at night and during the day when your electricity demand exceeds that produced by your solar system. Systems are also available with a battery backup. Part of the power produced by your solar system during the day is used to charge the batteries, which provide power for your critical loads in the event of a power outage.
Solar cells in the modules mounted on your roof convert sunlight directly into DC power. A component called an inverter converts this DC power into AC power that can be used in your home. The system is interconnected with your utility. During the day, if your solar system produces more electricity than your home is using, your utility may allow net metering or the crediting of your utility account for the excess power generated being returned to the grid. Your utility would provide power as usual at night and during the day if your electricity demand exceeds that produced by your solar system. Systems are also available with a battery backup. Part of the power produced by your solar system during the day is used to charge the batteries, which provide power for your critical loads in the event of a power outage. For tracking structures that follow the sun across the sky or fixed arrays, the annual energy production is maximum when the array is tilted at the latitude angle; i.e., at 40°N
The solar cells in the modules convert the sun’s energy into a DC electrical current. This DC current flows into an inverter which changes the DC electricity to AC electricity in order to run household appliances. The AC electricity flows into your electrical service panel to supply power to your home. If your system produces more electricity than you use, the excess electricity is re-routed to your utility line and, in states with net metering laws, is sold to the utility. The utility provides power at night and during the day when your electrical demand exceeds what your solar system produces. During a power outage, your solar system automatically shuts down unless the system includes battery backup.
