How Solar Panels Work

Here's a simple breakdown on how solar panels work to generate electricity:

Solar Panels Catch Sunlight

Solar panels are made up of lots of small units called solar cells, which are usually made from a material called silicon. When sunlight hits these solar cells, they absorb the energy from the light.

Creating Electricity

Inside the solar cells, the absorbed sunlight excites electrons (tiny particles). This excitement causes the electrons to move around, creating a field of electricity.

Converting Power

The electricity generated by the solar cells is in the form of direct current (DC). Most homes use alternating current (AC), so we need a device called an inverter to convert the DC into AC electricity that can be used to power your lights, TV, and other appliances.

Powering Your Home

Once the electricity is converted, it flows into your home’s electrical system. If your solar panels generate more electricity than you use, the extra power can often be sent back to the grid (the system that delivers electricity to homes) or stored in batteries for later use.

So, solar panels work by catching sunlight and turning it into usable electricity, helping to power your home with clean, renewable energy from the sun!

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

More Than a Price Tag

The cost of installing solar panels in Wisconsin is based on a number of factors, but there's more to consider when deciding whether to install solar. Solar panels are only as good as the quality of the system and the expertise that goes into careful planning and installation.

As you dive into researching solar panels, be sure to pay close attention to:

Annual Electricity Usage

To determine how much you'll save by going solar, you'll want to start by gathering the last 12 months of electric bills.

Take a look at your usage curves month-to-month and find out when you are consuming the most electricity.

Be sure to identify which part of your electric bill is being spent on electricity. Most utility bills charge additional connectivity and delivery fees for being a customer, as well as public purpose programs, taxes, and power cost adjustments. 

Understanding your energy usage and money spent on electricity is the first step in determining the value you will receive from going solar.

Location & Infrastructure

Not all locations are suitable for going solar. Here are a few tips to judge whether your property is a good candidate for solar power:

• Stand on your site and face south. Is the sun visible in the sky? You'll want to get 90% or higher access to sunshine throughout the year to get maximal value from solar.
• Look for a spot where you can see most of the sky to the horizon. If looking during the winter months, consider seasonal foliage
• If you are planning to install solar on your roof, consider structure and roof condition.  You'll want to install solar at least 15 years before needing a new roof.
• If planning to install solar on the ground, consider flood plains, bedrock, and property line set-backs

The pvwatts calculator can give you a rough idea as to the total potential solar energy available at your property.

It’s also essential to consider your electric service, especially if planning to add electric loads or battery storage.  You may need to upgrade your service panel or utility transformer to interconnect with your utility.

System Design

Here's a list of components that make up a solar photovoltaic (PV) system:

Mounting System: This is the framework that holds the solar panels in place, these are usually placed on rooftops or on the ground.

Solar Panels: Solar cells capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.

Inverter: The inverter converts DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity which makes it compatible with most electrical panels.

Electrical Panel (or Breaker Box): The converted AC electricity flows into your electrical panel, distributing the power via circuits to where it's needed.

Utility Meter: The meter tracks how much electricity you use from the grid versus how much your solar panels produce. If you produce more electricity than you use, the extra power can be sent back to the grid.

Battery (Optional): A battery stores excess energy produced by the solar panels. This stored power can be used later, like at night or during a power outage.

Monitoring System: Measures how much electricity your panels are producing and how much you’re using.

Power output, panel degradation, size of electric service, inverter efficiency, battery storage, manufacturing and warranties all play a role in determining the quality and price of the equipment that goes into your system.

Ethos’ system planners carefully take into account all these variables to design a system that produces the optimal amount of energy, saves money, and performs as expected. 

We do this by correctly sizing your system to your usage demands to realize the highest return on your investment. 

Installation, Monitoring & Warranty

It is important you partner with an experienced team of solar specialists who can guide you through the process from the first site inspection to powering on the system.

Ethos also stands by our system install with our labor warranty and remote monitoring included for the life of your system.

If all these factors check out, going solar will SAVE you money, but it also PAYS you back over the life of the system.

Give us a call to schedule your FREE site assessment and get started on your road to solar!