Are you curious about the process that changes the sun's energy to electricity
? This article will allow you to begin to see how it works. A flat surface is needed for the first step of installing the solar panels. These panels are fashioned from a suitable semi-conductive material like silicone so they will actually absorb the rays from the sun as soon as you have them powered on.
Atoms are effected in such the way that the electrons come away from them which will be the way the electricity is produced. The photovoltaic effect is know as the process that converts light into electricity.
The energy now is in the form of a direct electric current and this will be converted by means of an inverter into 120 voltage which is the AC voltage required in your home. By taking the power from the inverter and wiring it into the utility panel you will have your lights and other home appliances powered by the energy created from the solar panels.
If there is excess energy it's stored in batteries. You can sell excess energy back to the utility grid once the batteries are full. If you run out of solar power, the electricity will then come through via your utility company.
Flow of electrical current is calculated with an electric meter that revolves back and forth. It spins backward when you make more energy than use, and forward when you use energy from the electric company. When you sell surplus energy back, it is net metering.
A smaller version is the way your water heater is powered. By combining these various forces of nature a homeowner can create a heat source that will power appliances, even including the hot water furnace.
It is easy to convert sunlight into energy, as you can tell. Why is it, though, that other nations utilize it to a greater degree than we do in the US? The answer is that for some countries it is much cheaper than oil to use this form alternative energy.
You can make the most of solar energy by using solar cells. Instead of this you can opt for the passive solar energy which is designed to keep the home warmer in winter or cooler in the summer. People in the southwest use this more than homeowners in other areas of the US, since they need less insulation.