How Solar Works

As the cost of solar energy has plummeted in recent years alongside major improvements in technical efficiencies and manufacturing quality, many homeowners across the U.S. are starting to look at solar as a viable alternative energy solution. And as solar enters mainstream energy markets, the big question is, “how do solar panels work?” Dont worry, our team of highly trained solar experts we’ll break down exactly how solar panels produce energy for your home and how pragmatic going solar really is.

The Science

Your solar panels are made up of silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight hits your solar panels, the solar PV cells absorb the sunlight’s rays and electricity is produced via the Photovoltaic Effect. The electricity produced by your panels is called Direct Current (DC) electricity, and which is not suitable to be used in your home by your appliances. Instead, the DC electricity is directed to your central inverter (or micro inverter, depending on your system set up).
Your inverter is able to convert the DC electricity into Alternating Current (AC) electricity, which can be used in your home. From here, the AC electricity is directed to your switchboard. A switchboard allows your usable AC electricity to be sent to the appliances in your home. Your switchboard will always ensure that your solar energy will be used first to power your home, only accessing additional energy from the grid when your solar production is not enough. All households with solar are required to have a bi-directional meter (utility meter), which your electricity retailer will install for you. A bi-directional meter is able to record all the power that is drawn to the house, but also record the amount of solar energy that is exported back to the grid. This is called net-metering. Any unused solar electricity is then sent back to the grid. Exporting solar power back to the grid will earn you a credit on your electricity bill, called a feed-in tariff. Your electricity bills will then take into account the electricity you purchase from the grid, plus credits for the electricity generated by your solar power system that you don’t use.
With solar power, you don’t need to switch between solar power and the grid, Your solar system can determine when is best to do so based on the amount of energy being consumed in your home. In fact a solar system requires very little maintenance which means you’ll hardly know it’s there. This also means a good quality solar power system will last a long time. Your solar inverter can provide you with information like the amount of electricity being produced at any particular point in time or how much it has generated for the day or in total since it has been operating. Many quality inverters feature wireless connectivity and sophisticated online monitoring. If it seems complicated, don’t worry; one of our Texas Solar Solutions experts will guide you through the process.

Net Metering

Customers enrolled in Green Mountains Renewable Rewards Buyback Plan will receive credit for 100% of the excess energy their solar system delivers back to the grid. Other benefits that are included in this plan are:
  • One of One Buyback Credits for any excess energy
  • Fixed-priced electricity throughout the contract term
  • 100% clean electricity for any additional required energy use
  • Easy credit rollover from month-to-month
What's more, the credit per kWh for the surplus energy you generate will be the same per kWh rate you are charge for the Renewable Rewards Electriciy plan

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The Benefits of Solar Are Undisputed!

There are several undisputed benefits of generating your own electricity using solar. Advances in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and battery-based energy management systems have paved the way to make solar a viable option for most homes or businesses. Simultaneous to equipment advances, there has been a substantial drop in the installation cost to the consumer. By combining drop-in prices and incentives such as tax credits, aggressive depreciation schedules, grant programs, and various financing options, solar has an attractive economic proposition.

Great ROI (Return on Investment