How does a residential solar power PV system work?
Put simply, solar power installations use solar panels, some wiring and electronics to convert light energy from the sun into electrical energy. The solar modules create DC power (similar to batteries) and the inverter is used to convert this DC power into AC power, similar to the existing mains power supply connected to your house. During the sunlight hours your solar power system will be at its optimum production level; if your solar power system produces more electricity than your home is currently using, your electricity retailer will allow this excess power to be fed into the main grid network. If you are consuming more electricity than your system can produce you will simply be substituting your solar power for the power you would have consumed from your retailer. During all other times when the solar power system is not operating (i.e. at night) you will continue to consume the mains power as supplied by your retailer as per normal.
