What is solar power?
Solar power is the generation of electricity from sunlight. Solar cells produce direct current (DC) electricity from light, which can be used to power electrical devices through a DC/AC inverter electrically tied to a commercial or residential electric panel. Solar power has the potential to provide over 1000 times the total world energy consumption in 2008, though it provided only 0.02% of the total that year. If it continues to double in use every few years, or less, it would become the dominant energy source of this century.
What is photovoltaic (PV)?
PVs are groups of cells containing a photovoltaic material that converts solar radiation into direct current electricity. Multiple photovoltaic cells are arranged in modules, and multiple modules are arranged into solar arrays.
What is “grid-tied”?
A grid-tied solar electrical system, is a semi-autonomous electrical generation or grid energy storage system which links to the utility company to feed excess electricity back to the electrical grid. This basically means that whatever electricity you produce and do not use will go back into the electrical grid.
What is “off-grid”?
An off-grid electrical system is a self-sufficient electrical generation system where no interconnection with a local electrical utility exists. An off-grid system, although not required, can incorporate “battery banks” to store power from the sun during the day and utilize it at night.
What is an “inverter”?
An inverter is an electrical device that converts direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC). The converted AC can be at any required voltage and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching and control circuits. This is the box that connects to your electrical panel and converts the sunlight into usable, alternating, current power. For residential systems, the DC energy is converted into 240VAC.
What is a solar module/solar panel?
A solar module or solar panel is a packaged assembly of photovoltaic cells. These solar cells are arranged in a fashion to collect the most significant amount of solar radiation in the smallest amount of physical area. Multiple solar modules or panels are arranged in “arrays” and typically placed on a rooftop for the collection of solar energy. Solar panels can be placed in multiple locations and configurations to meet whatever electrical needs are required.
What is “Net Metering” and why is it good?
Net metering allows homeowners to receive the full value for the electricity that their solar energy system produces. The term “Net Metering” refers to the method of accounting for the electricity production of a photovoltaic or wind energy system. Net metering allows solar system owners to use any excess electricity their solar system may produce to offset their own electric bill. As the system produces electricity, the electricity is first used for any electric appliances in the home. If more electricity is produced from the system than is needed by the homeowner the extra energy produced is fed back into the utility grid through the electrical system.
Under net metering, the electric meter of the customer will turn backwards when their solar electric system is producing more energy than they need to operate their home or business at that given time. The excess electricity produced is fed into the utility grid and sold back to the utility company. At the end of the billing cycle if the customer has generated more electricity than has been used, the utility credits the net excess of generated kilowatt hours. If the customer uses more electricity than they generate, they pay the difference.
This is great because if your system makes more electricity than you use, you will get to "bank" the unused or excess kilowatt hours to use later in the year during times of more peak demand (for us in Arizona it is the summertime).
How do the solar modules attach to my house? Can they fall off?
Solar modules are attached to the house by a solar racking and fastening system. The racking system is fastened to the building structure with heavy-duty fasteners. The solar racking, which supports the solar panels/modules will stand approximately several inches from the roof. When installed correctly, there is no risk of the solar panels falling from the roof.
How does the inverter attach to my house?
The AC inverter attaches to the house by heavy-duty fasteners. The AC inverter is typically mounted on the exterior of the residence near the electrical panel or inside the garage.
How can I be sure that my solar system will appropriately meet my power requirements presently and for many years to come?
A comprehensive evaluation will ensure your energy requirements are met. Many factors are evaluated, including energy usage, roof orientation and shading. We will also factor costs after applied rebates and work with your personal budget to find the best solution designed to meet your needs now and in the future.
If my solar/PV system makes more power than I use, what happens to the unused electricity?
That is the great thing about a grid-tied solar system. When you are producing electricity and not using it, it gets fed back into the electrical grid. This means that you are generating electricity similar to your local utility and that any electricity produced and not consumed will be reimbursed to you to at another time.
How does the utility company compensate me for electricity I produce and do not use?
Each utility company is a little bit different in the way that they compensate for electricity produced and not consumed. Please contact us and let us know which utility company you have and we can fill you in on how you will be paid back for your excess production. It's also a good idea to go onto your local utility company website to see what they currently offer.
What happens at night?
Your solar power system will not produce any energy at night. Because you are interconnected to your local utility grid, you can automatically begin to draw power from the grid whenever you need it. The switch is seamless and requires not regulation on your part. In simplest terms, when the sun rises in the morning your system will energize and produce electricity during the daylight hours. When the sun sets in the evening, the system will go to sleep for the night and do it all again the next day.