How is Solar Power Delivered?

Solar power uses energy from the sun to generate electricity. This renewable energy source is fully backed by science, but it might seem transparent to the everyday consumer. Despite this, we are going to give you a bit of information so you can understand how solar power works and is delivered to your home.

What Are Solar Panels?

Solar panels are made of silicon chips that convert light energy into electrical energy. The solar chips are part of a module made of steel and glass. That module is mounted on the roof of your home. In order to have your solar panels installed, a licensed electrician will wire the solar panels into your home’s electric panel.

How Do Solar Panels Generate Power?

Solar panels generate power by allowing photons from the sun’s rays to push electrons free from atoms inside of solar cells. This then facilitates the flow of electricity.  Each solar panel is made of many solar cells linked together. Your home may have anywhere from 40 to 100. Each of these cells contains both positive and negative layers, that then combine to form an electrical field. This is where the energy is created. The solar panels generate direct current, or DC, electricity. This is similar to a battery or a car. Next, the inverter converts the DC into alternating current, or AC, that’s used in your house. The electrician takes care of all the wiring, ensuring it’s safe and reliable.

The Technical Process

When the photons hit the panel, they are absorbed by the panel’s material. This is a semiconducting silicon material, and the electrons will then separate from the atoms. The movement of the electrons is what actually generates the Direct Current (DC) electricity. Finally, the DC electricity flows to the system’s inverter and is converted into alternating current (AC) electricity. Phosphorus is inside the top silicon layer. This is what creates a negative charge. Then the boron, which makes up the bottom layer, provides the positive charge. These two fields interact with one another and eventually change the rays of the sun into the energy that flows from your panels to your inverter.

Why Solar?

Solar panels on your home generate clean energy from the sun. This helps to reduce the need for fossil fuel power from coal and natural gas. In addition to having a positive impact on the environment, there are many other benefits as well.

• Reduce or eliminate electric bills: Electricity costs are often a huge part of your monthly expenses. Solar panel systems can generate free power. Even if you do not produce all the power you need, you will be able to reduce the cost of your utility bills and save a lot of money overall.
• Great return on investment: Solar panels are a great investment. Not only will they provide you savings each month, but this will allow you to pay them off in only a few years, and then see a return of 20 percent or more.
• Increase property values: Many studies have found that homes with solar systems achieve higher property values. Whether you are planning to sell your home or not, this is always a plus.

Choosing a Provider

Choosing a good solar provider is essential. This is because a good solar provider can help you with financing or leasing, and will ensure that your equipment is installed properly. A good installer will also inform you of all of the ways you can reduce the installation cost of your panels and of course help you determine how much your solar panels will cost. The best part of when you use a reliable solar power company like Harmon Solar is that Harmon Solar offers solar leasing programs. These do not cost a lot of money upfront and will take care of everything.

What is Included in Installation?

Your solar installer will take care of the installation of the panels, and also work with the utility company. They will even communicate with the city to get everything hooked up according to building codes.

After Installation

So you’ve decided to go solar. Now what? After installation is when your savings begin. With a Harmon Solar plan, your solar payment and any remaining electric bill will be less than your old utility bill by far. You should expect not to notice a difference when it comes to being inside your home.  Your lights will operate with the flick of a switch, and the TV responds to the remote. The main difference (along with a huge increase in savings) will be that you can monitor your solar power performance via an app for computers or smartphones.

Ready to Make the Switch?

If you are thinking about solar power, the first step is to look for a reliable provider like Harmon Solar. Not only has this locally owned company been doing business in the Phoenix area for more than 30 years, but they also have premiere installation and a 10-year warranty to back it up. Contact Harmon Solar to book your appointment for solar installation today.