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How does solar work for me?

In many cases your solar system will be connected to the local electrical grid, which supplies traditional electricity to you. The cables will run from your solar inverter through the meter to the grid. Please ensure that you understand your utility's policy on solar before finalising the solar connection.

GRID CONNECTIONREAD MORE

SOLAR PANELSREAD MORE

Also called "modules". Panels generate electric current from sunlight. They are installed in such a way as to capture most sunlight (usually south facing). The most common technology is polycrystalline. Quality and efficiency of the panels is as important as the cost. After all, you want the lowest cost of power, not the lowest cost of panel. Don’t forget clean them regularly to ensure that there is no dust cover, reducing the productivity of the panels.

SOLAR INVERTERREAD MORE

A solar inverter converts the electricity produced by the solar panels (direct current or DC) into the form of electricity (alternating current or AC) used by your appliances or machines. The solar inverter is the “heart" (or perhaps “brains") of the solar PV system and you should ensure that it is of high quality to keep overall system losses low.

The meter counts how much electricity you send to and receive from the grid. Most new meters installed are bi-directional. In a number of states you can sell excess solar power back to the grid (net-metering). Please check, if your state allows for net metering.

ELECTRICITY METERREAD MORE

Fans, lights and a TV set can easily be covered by solar. However, the more cooling (Acs) you have, the more difficult it will be to cover them with solar. The loads will be very high and you would need a lot of panels. Also, if you want your solar power at any time of the day (or night), you need to store it. You should have a detailed discussion with your solar installer to identify the appliances you want to run on solar.

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCESREAD MORE

Also called "modules". Panels generate electric current from sunlight. They are installed in such a way as to capture most sunlight (usually south facing). The most common technology is polycrystalline. Quality and efficiency of the panels is as important as the cost. After all, you want the lowest cost of power, not the lowest cost of panel. Don’t forget to have them cleaned regularly to ensure that there is no dust cover, reducing the productivity of the panels.

In most cases your solar system will be connected to the local electrical grid, which supplies traditional electricity to you. Your solar inverter or transformer will connect to the grid via a meter. Please ensure that you understand the utility's policy on solar before finalising the solar connection.

TRANSFORMERREAD MORE

In some cases a separate transformer might be installed between the solar inverter and the grid to ensure a stable connection. Please discuss with your solar installer, if a transformer is required in your case.

The meter counts how much electricity you send to and receive from the grid. Most new meters installed are bi-directional. In a number of states you can sell excess solar power back to the grid (net-metering). Please check, if your state allows for net metering.