What are the Components of a Solar Panel System?
How do you save money and improve energy efficiency at home with a solar panel system? Solar panels might seem like hi-tech magic, but the science behind them isn’t too hard to understand. If you’re thinking about getting a free home solar estimate, it’s beneficial to know a little about how solar works.
Let’s look at the fundamentals of a solar panel system, along with the basic components that will be installed at your home.
Solar Cells are Elegantly Simple
The solar panels will be key to the entire system. These rooftop panels work on a principle called the photovoltaic effect.
When sunlight hits the solar panels, photons in the light interact with electrons inside the cells of the panels. These electrons become “free” from the atoms that bind them, and then flow through a carefully designed circuit to generate electrical current.
This current is transferred to an inverter before it reaches your home.
The photovoltaic effect becomes less efficient over time as materials degrade, which is why solar panels don’t last forever. However, modern technology has given us highly efficient and durable panels, so you can expect a service life of 25 to 30 years, which can generate impressive savings and a return on your investment.
Six Key Components of Home Solar
Here are the most important components of a reliable home solar installation.
- Solar Panels: These are the rooftop panels where the photovoltaic effect generates electricity during the daytime.
- Inverters: Solar panels generate direct current electricity, but our homes rely on alternating current. Inverters are used to convert the electricity so that it’s safe and efficient. Long Island Power Solutions uses highly efficient microinverters, so there’s an individual unit attached to each solar panel.
- Solar Battery Backup System: This is an optional feature where electricity is stored in a battery array sitting between your panels and the rest of your home. This type of system can provide electricity in the evenings and during outages. With the right design, a solar battery can optimize the savings that you enjoy with home solar.
- Electric Panel: The electric panel takes the electricity from solar panels (or a battery) and distributes it throughout your home.
- Bi-Directional Meter: You’ll have a new meter installed for solar panels. It will spin both ways and allow you to send unused electricity out to the grid. This helps offset the electricity you buy from the utility company, maximizing your total savings.
- Electricity: The electricity you consume will come either from solar panels, a battery, or the grid, depending on the scenario and the time of the day.
Is Solar Right for You? Find Out with a Free Home Solar Estimate
Most homes on Long Island will benefit from a solar panel system. You can learn if solar is ideal for your home, starting with a free home solar estimate from our team. We also provide a cost/benefit breakdown, showing you the savings and return on investment that are possible over time.
Get Solar Financing with New York State Solar Tax Credits
There are Federal and New York State solar tax credits available to help cover the cost of a Long Island solar installation. These credits will be calculated in advance and used to help with your financing. You’ll get an interest-free period with no money down, and you can pay the first loan in full once you receive your tax credits.
The rest of the bill will be applied to a standard financing term with a competitive interest rate. You can choose the length so that the repayments suit your financial situation. You can apply for SMART solar financing today.
Solar is one of the best investments for your home. Learn if it’s right for you by talking to Long Island Power Solutions today. With a detailed approach to planning home solar panel systems, we’ll ensure that you get the best deal with all the long-term benefits that you expect.
