How Solar Works on Your Home
When people refer to solar electricity, most often they are referring to a “grid-tied” system, which means it is tied in where your home connects to your utility
electrical grid. The wonder of these systems is that the electrical “grid” of your existing electric utility uses the power you generate to supply other
house/business with power. The utility will buy power from you at a time when our "Smart Meter Rates" are at the highest rate. When the sun is out, that is
when Horizon will charge you peak rates, so the net effect will be that Horizon is receiving power from us and giving to industry during daylight hours. Hence
less power plants are required.
The most common system is mounted directly onto your roof, but if you do not have enough roof space, there are a variety of other ways to install a system
utilizing the land (OPA does not pay the same amount for these) or other structures on your property.
Solar panels are made up of crystalline photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into DC (direct current) power. However, your home runs on AC power,
so the DC current from the solar panels is sent to an inverter, where it is converted into AC (alternating current) power. AC power travels from the inverter to
the electrical panel, or breaker box, as it is commonly referred to. Your home is interconnected with the utility grid, and all electricity flows automatically. On
sunny days, you will be feeding the grid and your pocket book.
About
Types of Solar Electric Systems
There are three general types of Solar Electric Systems: The "grid-tie*", "grid-tie with battery back-up" and "stand-alone" systems. The only kind that applies
to the Fit and micro fit is the "grid-tie*".
Grid-Tied Solar Electric Systems
Grid-Tied solar electric systems are the most efficient type of system and the least costly, making them the most common. A standard grid-tied solar system
does not have battery backup. The system consists of photovoltaic solar modules and an inverter. The modules, which can be mounted either to an existing
roof or on a ground-mounted structure, convert the sun’s energy into direct current (DC) power. The Inverter takes the DC power from the modules and
converts it to high quality alternating current (AC) electricity, which is compatible with your home and the utility. The inverter is then tied into your electrical
breaker panel allowing you to use the sun’s energy to power your home or business. Grid-tied systems must be connected to the utility to function; therefore
they do not operate during a utility power outage. Find out how it works.
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