How does solar power work?
Looking to reduce your energy bills and impact on the environment with solar power but can’t quite make sense of how it works? We’re here to break it down for you.
What exactly is solar power?
Renewable energy, like solar, is electricity that’s powered by natural source such as the wind, water and sun. Solar energy is light or heat that comes from the sun and solar power is created when this energy is collected and converted into electricity that can be used in homes and offices.
How does it work?
Despite the mountains of information out there, it’s actually quite simple!
1. The solar panels absorb the sun’s light.
2. The silicon and conductors in the panel converts the light into Direct Current electricity, which then flows into the inverter.
3. The inverter converts this energy into Alternate Current electricity which is usable for the home. Your home uses electricity from the solar energy system first with additional demand drawn from the electricity grid.
4. The meter measures your electricity production and consumption.
5. Any additional electricity that's not used by your home is fed back into the electricity grid to be stored for use later.
Related links:
Why retirement marks the perfect time to switch to solar energy
4 ways to save money on your energy bills
Five ways to make your solar power go EVEN further