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A grid-connected solar system acts as a mini power station on your roof.
Sunlight - energy comes to the earth as solar radiation, also known as photons. Photons travel through space at the speed of light, each carrying small amounts of energy. This energy is harnessed and converted to electricity by solar panels.
Solar Panels - (containing photovoltaic cells) convert solar radiation into electricity ("photo" = light, "voltaic" = energy). Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors. When photons of energy from the sun hit semiconductors, an electrical current is created which can be used to power everything from small calculators to large homes.
The Inverter - converts the DC electricity generated by the solar panels into AC electricity, so that it can be used in homes and other buildings, or sent back into the electricity grid.
Residential / Commercial use - The AC power is then either used by your house (or commercial building), alongside the electricity that you buy off the grid, or...
Grid / Utility - The power generated from your solar panels can be fed straight back into the grid. You are now an electricity producer!
