Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. They work any time the sun is shining, but more electricity is produced when the sunlight is directly striking the PV modules. Unlike solar thermal for heating water, solar PV systems do not rely on the sun’s heat. Rather, electrons freed by the interaction of sunlight with the semiconductor materials in PV cells are captured in the form of an electric current, which is used to power your home.

GRID CONNECTED PV SYSTEM

SOLAR (PV) MODULES

Solar Panels or Solar Modules are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells convert the sun's energy into electricity. Large groupings of these modules are called "solar arrays".

INVERTER

The inverter transforms direct current (DC) electricity, produced by the solar panels, into alternating current (AC) electricity - the form of electricity used by most households and businesses.

ELECTRIC BOX OR ELECTRIC SERVICE PANEL

The inverter sends the AC electricity to the service panel which then can be used to power your home or business.

UTILITY BI-DIRECTIONAL METER

A Bi-Directional meter can optimize your power ise and tell you exactly how much power you are using and how much your PV system is producing.

UTILITY POWER GRID

When your solar PV system is producing more power than you are consuming the excess electricity is sent out onto the power grid. When this occurs your meter will spin backwards, giving you credits towards future usage. This process is called "Net-Metering".

OFF-GRID PV SYSTEM

SOLAR (PV) MODULES

The solar PV modules convert the sun's energy into electricity.

CHARGE CONTROLLER

This controls the charging of the batteries.

BATTERY BANK

Since the sun doesn't always shine the electrical energy is stored in the batteries.

INVERTER

The inverter takes the power in the batteries and converts it into a suitable form suitable for your loads/appliances. It also takes power from the generator to pass through to loads and uses it to charge the batteries.

BACK-UP GENERATOR *OPTIONAL

This is used in the case that there hasn't been sun for a long time and the batteries are dead. This will provide electricity if that were to happen.

AC SERVICE PANEL

The inverter sends the AC electricity to the service panel - which is then used to power your home or business.

DC LOAD CONTROLLER

DC SERVICE PANEL

The DC service panel supplies DC electricity to DC loads in your home or business.