Understanding How Solar Power Works

Solar (Photovoltaic) Systems
With growing concern over climate change, rising energy prices, and the uncertain dependability of conventional fuel sources, the value of solar electric systems is growing. Solar electric photovoltaic (PV) systems address all of these concerns and use less energy than fossil fuels to provide clean and reliable electricity. With increasing demand, state rebates and advances in technology, PV systems are now more affordable than ever. As a distributed source of power, solar electric systems are easy to install and require little maintenance. Our systems are architecturally integrated into new homes, taking into account the best sun angle, pitch of the roof and local aesthetics. SolSource designs and installs three types of systems including Grid-Tied, Grid-Tied w/ Battery Backup and Off-Grid Systems.

Grid-Tied
A grid-tied PV system's output is directly linked through your meter to the utility distribution lines that normally provides you with electricity. In this way, the grid effectively "stores" any excess power produced by your PV system, and supplements power when your demand for electricity is greater than the kW's your PV system produces. The electricity produced by your PV system comes in at the exact same voltage and quality as that from your utility provider. You can choose to install a grid-tied PV system with batteries that will both allow you to send excess power to the grid, while also providing backup power for your critical loads in the case of a power outage.

With a grid-tied system, the inverter is designed to shut off when the grid does. This keeps the PV-generated electricity off the grid in case there are utility people working on it. Grid-tied systems are the least expensive and the least complicated type of PV system. Their main disadvantage is that the loss of utility power causes the solar electric system to shut down.

Grid-Tied with Battery Backup
This type of system still takes advantage of available utility power, but offers protection from blackouts, ice storms and other outages. When utility power is lost, a bank of batteries supplies power to critical loads such as the refrigerator, furnace, well pump and computer. For homeowners or businesses wanting to be completely self-reliant or who cannot tolerate possible power outages, a battery backup or uninterruptible power system is the best insurance.

Off Grid Systems
In an Off-Grid situation, the PV system is the main source of electrical power. At night and during cloudy days battery power and/or a generator is used to power the home/building. These systems are more expensive to design and install and typically only make sense where utility power is unavailable.