If you are in the process of researching solar energy for your home, knowing the basics of solar installation helps you better understand its benefit—financially, economically, and environmentally. Here’s how solar panels work:

1. Solar Panels

Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells, also known as PV cells, that convert sunlight to direct current electricity (DC electricity). These cells are made of silicon, and they capture the sunlight as it shines on your roof from the solar panels. As long as the sun’s rays are making contact with your roof, your panels are converting solar radiation into DC electricity. 

Individual solar panels can produce anywhere from 250 and 400 watts each, at any given time. 

What if it’s cloudy out? Don’t worry! Your solar panels will be working hard, rain or shine. But your electricity isn’t ready just yet—you’ll need an inverter to get the kind of power you need to turn the lights on.

2. Inverter

The solar inverter is a device that takes the direct current electricity produced by your solar panels and turns it into alternating current electricity (AC electricity). It’s typically installed on an exterior wall of your house or somewhere in the garage. AC electricity is used by most home appliances. 

Recent technological developments for inverters have created a way to provide security during outages or blackouts or when the grid goes down. In this scenario, the solar panels can supply the necessary power to essential circuits to keep the lights and power on during an otherwise scary and stressful time. 

3. Main Electric Service Panel

Solar electricity from your inverter flows to the electrical panel, and then into your home where it powers your lights, appliances, and devices. If your panels generate more solar energy than you use, the excess power will flow into the utility grid. You might even earn extra energy credits from your local utility company. It’s a win-win deal!

4. Sunrun Meter

The meter is a crucial component in solar energy. Your Sunrun net meter monitors your system production and sends the information to Sunrun through a wireless signal. Since it tracks your energy production 24/7, the meter will automatically alert Sunrun if it detects any problems or irregularities. 

That way, Sunrun can make sure your solar panel system is in the very best shape without you ever having to lift a finger. The meter tells how much electricity you are generating, how much energy you’re using, and how much energy you may still be purchasing from the power company. 

5. Utility & Battery Bank

When your solar energy system produces more than you need, the excess energy is sold back to your utility and credited to your monthly electric bill. When you need more energy than your solar system can produce, your home will automatically pull energy from your utility. You can also opt to channel your energy overflow to redirect to your neighbors’ homes. 

Many homeowners opt to purchase a solar battery when they get their solar panels installed. With a solar battery, homeowners can store their produced energy until they are ready to use it. This can be in the evening when the sun goes down or in more serious situations. Battery banks come in handy particularly in places that are prone to blackouts, inclement weather, and power outages. 

Battery banks are advantageous for other reasons as well. They provide on-demand power at any moment’s notice, and can significantly lower your electricity bill as they support your home in not using much traditional power. 

How does solar energy work once it’s produced by solar panels?

When photons (particles of light) hit the silicon layer on the solar panel, this PV charge creates an electric current known as direct current (DC), which is then captured by the PV cells. The PV cells move the DC current to the inverter, where it’s converted from direct current electricity to AC electricity that we use in our homes. 

If you aren’t at home to use the energy the solar panels just produced, the excess energy is fed back into the grid system for other homes in the area to use. For homes that produce excess energy that they don’t use, a credit is often provided so they can draw from the grid supply at night or on overcast days when the sun isn’t available to produce energy. 

How to determine if solar is right for your home

There are a few factors to consider before choosing to invest in solar energy for your home. Homeowners should know how many solar panels they will need, how much they will cost, and how much money they’ll save. Solar energy is also dependent on the direction, age, and pitch of your roof. 

Consider the climate where you live, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t live in California or Arizona; solar panels can function just as well, if not better, in cold climates. This is because the energy production efficiency of solar panels drops to around 77°F degrees. In hot climates during the summer, solar panels do not work as efficiently as they do in cooler climates. Now you know! 

What are the benefits of solar panels for homeowners?

Solar incentives are plentiful, which explains why so many homeowners around the country and the globe have invested in solar energy systems for their homes. Here are some of the primary benefits of solar panels:

• Low maintenance—aside from getting your solar panels cleaned a few times a year, maintenance is relatively low key and affordable. The equipment, including the inverter, needs to be changed every ten years. Most solar energy companies offer a 20- to 25-year warranty, making maintenance a breeze and virtually stress-free. 

• Cost savings—one of the most enticing reasons people choose to invest in solar panels is the cost savings. With solar, your electricity bill will drastically decrease each month, putting money back in your pocket. Additionally, many homeowners opt to sell any overflow electricity they generate back to the grid. There are also numerous tax breaks and tax credits that homeowners receive for installing solar in certain states. 

• Renewable and sustainable source of energy—because solar energy is produced by the light from the sun, as long as we have the sun and solar panels, we can produce solar energy. Solar cuts back on carbon emissions, reducing a person’s carbon footprint.

• Increases your home’s value—even if you don’t have plans to sell your home, it’s nice to know that your solar panel system would be an incentive to purchase for a potential buyer. 

Easy, right? That’s how solar energy works! 

Installing solar panels on your home

Shopping for solar is a personal decision for families; the financial investment can be considerable, so it’s important to shop around to get the price you’re comfortable with. When you meet with an installer, they will ask you several questions about your home, the age of your roof, your monthly electric bills, the type of your roof, and much more. 

The solar installer you select will evaluate your home to determine the ideal solar panels, inverter, and racking components. These will be specific to your roof, your attic, and the electric system in your home. This is crucial to determine the best place to install hardware and to ensure there aren’t other issues within the home that need to be addressed before the solar installation can begin. 

There are several other steps, including a solar engineering and site design plan that includes compliance with local safety requirements that has to be submitted to the city permit department and  the utility company. 

Post-installation, the city will conduct a final inspection and grant their approval for the installation. Once the installation is officially approved, your brand-new system will be connected to the grid. 

The time for solar technology in your home is now

When you choose Sunrun to install solar panels on your home, going solar is no sweat. We’re here to help you understand how solar panels work and if they are the right fit for your home. And if you’ve still got questions, no problem.

How much you can save largely depends on your home, but there are multiple financing options available, one of which is sure to meet the specific needs of you, your life, and your home. If you’re curious about what you could save, the hassle-free way to figure it out is to have a no-strings attached consultation with one of our experts. Learn more here.