"Our home solar system has been great. Competitively priced, and with top quality panels, etc. They stood by commitments made at the time of sale."
"We installed solar about two years ago using Simply Solar. We obtained three bids, but were most impressed with the service side of our initial meeting with them."
A solar system is made up of solar panels wired together to form a unit. Each solar panel consists of solar cells, which are made of silicon. Solar cells have a positive layer and a negative layer creating an electrical field, like a battery. When photons from the sun hit the solar cell an electrical current is conducted. The electrical current that is created generates the electricity that powers your home.
Electricity Basics
There are two basic types of currents, direct currents, and alternating currents. Direct currents move electrons through a circuit in one direction, from the negative side to the positive side. In alternating currents, electrons are pushed and pulled, occasionally in opposite directions.
Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems produce an electrical charge called a direct current (DC). Although, the electrical current chosen for the U.S. electrical power grid is an alternating current (AC) because it is less expensive to transmit. So how do we change DC electricity produced by the solar panels into an AC?
Inverter Basics
A solar inverter is used to convert DC electricity that is produced by the solar system into AC electricity to be used by our homes or businesses. Additionally, inverters provide the solar system’s statistics such as voltage, and energy production. Central inverters are most popular for residential solar systems, although microinverters are used occasionally.
Central inverters currently dominate the inverter industry as they are less expensive and more reliable. Central inverters work by wiring the solar panels together to work as a cohesive unit. While on the other hand, microinverters work by monitoring each individual solar panel. Microinverters allow each solar panel to perform at maximum potential individually, as opposed to performing the system.
Solar System Basics
When the sun's photons hit a solar panel a direct electrical current is created. The direct current flows into the inverter, which converts it into an alternating electric current. Your home's electric appliances use the alternating current as power. It’s that simple. Although, what happens when you are not home during the day to use your power?
Net Energy Metering Basics
During the day when your home is producing electricity but it is not being used one of two things happen. Either the unused electricity goes into a battery backup system to be used when needed, such as at night. If you do not have a battery backup system, the unused electricity goes back into the grid and is used to power other homes, this is net energy metering or NEM. So, depending on how much energy you use or sell to the grid you could end up with a charge or a credit at the end of the month.
Solar energy generates tremendous benefits for you and the planet. We utilize the latest solar advancements that will not only help you save money, but will contribute to reducing your carbon footprint. Our goal is to make the solar process feel simple and easy, from the proposal to the installation and throughout the lifecycle of your system.
Why choose Simply Solar when there are so many commercial solar companies vying for your business?
Experience: With over 20 years in the industry, we have what it takes to build a solar system that will exceed your expectations.
Products and Partners: With industry-leading products, which we choose for their durability and outstanding performance, you can be sure that your solar panel system will last for many decades.
Expertise: Commercial solar companies hire out inexperienced contractors. Not Simply Solar! We handle the full site analysis, system engineering, permitting, installation, activation, monitoring, and maintenance of your solar system.
