How Solar Electric Systems Work
Solar electric systems generate electricity silently and without any
moving parts. Sunlight falls on the solar array, generating DC
electricity. That DC electricity is converted into household 120V AC
electricity by the inverter.
The AC electricity is fed into your electric meter and circuit breaker panel.
The electricity either goes to your appliances and lights, or to the grid, or some to each.
This all happens silently and automatically every day.
At
night and during the cloudy weather, the solar system's output is reduced or
stopped; however, your home then gets electricity directly from the utility
grid. You are always connected to the grid, so you can have as much power
as you need, any time you need it, regardless of whether the solar system is
able to put out any power.
When the solar system puts out power, it goes towards
reducing your usage at that time or, if there is excess, it goes to spinning
the meter backwards, counting down your electric use and bill. Special
metering, such as Time-Of-Use metering and billing arrangements, can help
you take advantage of higher daytime rates. This allows you to sell power
at a high rate, and buy it back at night at a lower rate.
