How Do Solar Panels Work?

As solar power becomes increasingly popular, more and more solar panels can be seen on the roofs of homes and businesses alike. These solar panels employ one of the most environmentally friendly methods for producing electricity: “photovoltaic”. The term photovoltaic, or PV, is used to describe something that creates electricity when exposed to sunlight. Solar panels, or PV modules, are made up of several solar cells. Each cell is comprised of materials which have photovoltaic properties.

How does a photovoltaic panel work?

The PV cell, the basic component of solar technology, captures sunlight and converts it into electricity. When sunlight is absorbed by semiconducting silicon chips embedded into rooftop panels, the energy allows electrons to flow which converts light (photons) into electricity (voltage). The electricity produced is DC which will be converted into AC voltage by an inverter to be used in your home, stored in batteries for later use, or redirected back to the municipal electric utility for use elsewhere in the local electrical grid.

Solar panels vary in size depending on variables such as anticipated load, space, and of course cost. Apollo SunErgy can help you determine what size system would work best for your installation and what you can expect when your system is implemented.

The PV system should be sized according to the owners needs and does not have to provide 100% of the power requirements.

Photovoltaic systems are typically grouped according to their relationship to the utility grid.

Grid-tied Systems

Grid-tied systems are configured so that the power they generate is fed directly into the utility grid. The electricity produced is not stored; instead it is delivered directly to the local electric company whenever the system is active. The electric company then uses “your” power to meet the general demand and depending on your state’s utility credit policies, you can receive a credit for the electricity that your system produces. Grid-tied systems are commonly found in homes and businesses that wish to offset the cost of their power usage.
Solar Grid

Off-grid Systems

As the name implies, off-grid systems are not connected to the public utility grid and are often referred to as “stand-alone” systems. During the day, the electricity generated is used either by powering loads or to charge storage batteries. At night, power is supplied by the energy stored in the batteries. When the sun comes up the next day, the cycle begins again.
Off-grid systems are typically found in remote homes, weather stations or radio sites and parks.
Off-grid systems can also be used to supply electricity to vacation homes that are not connected to the utility grid. In developing countries, off-grid systems frequently represent the only solution to supplying remote villages with electricity. The demand for these types of systems is extremely large. To date, approximately two billion people worldwide still live without electricity in regions far away from public utility grids.

How does net metering work?

Net metering is a term unique to renewal energy sources such as solar energy. In essence, it allows a user of solar energy to “sell back” electrical energy to the municipal utility company. In other words, you can receive credit for at least a portion of the electricity generated by your solar system, as if your utility company is paying you for that electricity! Although the utility companies will not give you a check for the electricity you produce they will give you an offsetting credit toward the electricity you do use.

So not only can you do something positive for the environment and add value to your property or business, but you can generate revenue at the same time!

Most utility companies in the United States have net metering available upon request, and some communities are more progressive than others. Apollo SunErgy is uniquely qualified to analyze how PV systems can utilize net metering to your advantage, and we’ll advise you what you can save on your electrical costs.

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Benefits Of Solar Energy How Do Solar Panels Work? How To Pay For Solar Panels Helpful Information/Links	Call Us Today @ 888-SUN-4U2-0 How Do Solar Panels Work? As solar power becomes increasingly popular, more and more solar panels can be seen on the roofs of homes and businesses alike. These solar panels employ one of the most environmentally friendly methods for producing electricity: “photovoltaic”. The term photovoltaic, or PV, is used to describe something that creates electricity when exposed to sunlight. Solar panels, or PV modules, are made up of several solar cells. Each cell is comprised of materials which have photovoltaic properties. How does a photovoltaic panel work? The PV cell, the basic component of solar technology, captures sunlight and converts it into electricity. When sunlight is absorbed by semiconducting silicon chips embedded into rooftop panels, the energy allows electrons to flow which converts light (photons) into electricity (voltage). The electricity produced is DC which will be converted into AC voltage by an inverter to be used in your home, stored in batteries for later use, or redirected back to the municipal electric utility for use elsewhere in the local electrical grid. Solar panels vary in size depending on variables such as anticipated load, space, and of course cost. Apollo SunErgy can help you determine what size system would work best for your installation and what you can expect when your system is implemented. The PV system should be sized according to the owners needs and does not have to provide 100% of the power requirements. Photovoltaic systems are typically grouped according to their relationship to the utility grid. Grid-tied Systems Grid-tied systems are configured so that the power they generate is fed directly into the utility grid. The electricity produced is not stored; instead it is delivered directly to the local electric company whenever the system is active. The electric company then uses “your” power to meet the general demand and depending on your state’s utility credit policies, you can receive a credit for the electricity that your system produces. Grid-tied systems are commonly found in homes and businesses that wish to offset the cost of their power usage. Off-grid Systems As the name implies, off-grid systems are not connected to the public utility grid and are often referred to as “stand-alone” systems. During the day, the electricity generated is used either by powering loads or to charge storage batteries. At night, power is supplied by the energy stored in the batteries. When the sun comes up the next day, the cycle begins again. Off-grid systems are typically found in remote homes, weather stations or radio sites and parks. Off-grid systems can also be used to supply electricity to vacation homes that are not connected to the utility grid. In developing countries, off-grid systems frequently represent the only solution to supplying remote villages with electricity. The demand for these types of systems is extremely large. To date, approximately two billion people worldwide still live without electricity in regions far away from public utility grids. How does net metering work? Net metering is a term unique to renewal energy sources such as solar energy. In essence, it allows a user of solar energy to “sell back” electrical energy to the municipal utility company. In other words, you can receive credit for at least a portion of the electricity generated by your solar system, as if your utility company is paying you for that electricity! Although the utility companies will not give you a check for the electricity you produce they will give you an offsetting credit toward the electricity you do use. So not only can you do something positive for the environment and add value to your property or business, but you can generate revenue at the same time! Most utility companies in the United States have net metering available upon request, and some communities are more progressive than others. Apollo SunErgy is uniquely qualified to analyze how PV systems can utilize net metering to your advantage, and we’ll advise you what you can save on your electrical costs.