Solar power works by taking the energy from the sun’s rays and turning it into electricity. This process is know known as photovoltaics. To get a bit more technical, the solar energy that hits the photovoltaic cells within a solar module creates electrical charges by moving free electrons in response to an internal electrical field in the cell. This is what causes electricity to flow.
At your home, solar modules capture and produce energy while an inverter converts the power from Direct Current (DC) into Alternating Current (AC), making it ready to be used in your home.
Your home will have two sources of electricity coming into the main electrical panel. One from the grid and one from the solar modules ensuring a steady stream of electricity regardless of the weather or time of day. The first stop of the AC power off the roof is to power any demand from within the household. Any overage will be sent to the grid for a credit while any additional power needed will be pulled from the grid.
Your electric bill after solar will be greatly reduced if not eliminated by paying the balance between the power put into the grid and the power taken from the grid each month in a process known as net metering.
A separate meter will be installed at your residence recording system production. This is necessary for the sale of SRECs which are a major financial incentive to homeowners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Additional savings are available through the 30% Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Click here to learn about solar incentives available to New Jersey homeowners, and click here to learn about the solar incentives available to Pennsylvania homeowners.
