how does solar power work?
Step One: Solar panels capture sunlight
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are placed on the roof to capture the power of our greatest natural resource, the Sun. The UV rays from the sun create a photovoltaic reaction, (electrons within the solar cells start to move around) which produces DC (direct current) electricity.
Step Two: Inverters
Circuits within the cells collect that energy for you to use in your home.
This is where your solar inverter comes in. Most homes use alternating current (AC) energy, not DC, so the energy produced by your solar panels isn’t useful on its own. When your solar panels collect sunlight and turn it into energy, it gets sent to the inverter, which takes the DC energy and turns it into AC energy. At that point, your solar electricity can power your appliances and electronics .
Step Three: Own your power
Your home starts generating cheaper & more sustainable energy.
The electrical panel distributes clean, affordable power throughout your home that reduces harmful emissions.
Step Four: Net Metering
Your home uses what it needs first. The excess energy is fed back into the power grid to be stored for your future use via the process of “Net Metering”.
Since you own your own “Solar Power Plant”, all of the electric you produce from your roof is yours and you will not have to purchase what you generate from your utility company ever again!
What happens to my utility bill?
Once you go solar, you will have two bills: your new dramatically reduced solar energy bill and a smaller utility bill for any energy left that you need to use from the grid. Depending on the size of yoru system, your utility bill could be offset by up to 99% - but most utility companies charge a minimal monthly fee that you are still responsible for paying.
Why are our solutions so different from those of other installers?
Every American Solar Association system is custom engineered for our customers’ needs. We've built a nationwide network of best-in-class solar installers so we can connect homeowners to the right provider for THEM. Our mission is to deliver the best quality products and services that maximize the solar output and savings. Homeowners historically save more with The American Solar Association.
What kind of maintenance is needed?
Solar power systems, if installed correctly, require minimal maintenance. There are no moving parts. Most high-quality panels have a life expectancy of 25-40 years and high-quality inverters have a life expectancy of 10-15 years.
What happens during the night or on cloudy days?
Solar panels produce energy when the sun is shining. At night or when it’s cloudy, the system will use credits from any excess power overproduced from the system during the day. This is the primary reason that on-grid solar solutions rely on the utility grid and net metering laws to provide supplemental power when your system isn’t producing.
How do solar panels withstand inclement weather conditions?
Most high-quality solar panels are built to withstand snow piles and up to one inch of hail. You can confirm this with your solar representatives during the enrollment process to ensure you are receiving the best products the industry has to offer. With energy storage as a service, you’ll be able to control your home’s energy efficiency to further reduce your monthly electricity expenses.
What happens if the power goes out?
For the safety of grid workers, your system is required to turn itself off if you lose utility power. Once the power is restored, the system will automatically turn itself back on. An off-grid power system or one with battery backup would continue to run during the day if you lost power.