{"id":679,"date":"2024-09-20T16:14:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T16:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurorasolardev.wpengine.com\/blog\/how-a-photovoltaic-system-produces-electricity\/"},"modified":"2024-09-20T16:17:30","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T16:17:30","slug":"how-a-photovoltaic-system-produces-electricity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aurorasolar.com\/blog\/how-a-photovoltaic-system-produces-electricity\/","title":{"rendered":"How does a photovoltaic (PV) system produce electricity?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Note: This blog was originally posted in 2022, it was updated in September, 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n

As a solar professional, it\u2019s important to be able to explain the process of how a solar system produces electricity. This process can be mysterious and misconceptions abound among those unfamiliar with solar energy \u2014 like potential new customers. In this article, we get back to basics with an overview of how solar installations provide electricity and how the process works for the customer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the foundations of how solar energy is produced and then we\u2019ll get into the specifics of PV systems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Learn more about selling solar with the Solar Sales Toolkit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The basics of a solar photovoltaic system<\/span><\/h2>\n

Solar systems are essentially any combination of solar panels, the hardware needed to help the energy flow through the panels, the hardware needed to keep the system on the roof, and inverters, which change the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the panels, to alternating current (AC).<\/span><\/p>\n

How does solar energy work in a photovoltaic system?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Solar panels convert the energy of photons (light particles) into electricity (as we discuss in <\/span>The Beginner\u2019s Guide to Solar Energy<\/span><\/a>). This process is called the photovoltaic effect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When a photon hits a photovoltaic (PV) device, its energy is transferred from the photon to the local electrons in the material. These excited electrons begin to flow, producing an <\/span>electric current<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solar cells (within solar panels) produce <\/span>direct current (DC) electricity, which is typically converted to alternating current (AC)<\/span><\/a> electricity by an <\/span>inverter<\/span><\/a>. This allows it to be sent back to the electric grid, which operates with AC electricity, as well as used to power appliances in the customer\u2019s home (or commercial building, in the case of <\/span>commercial solar<\/span><\/a> installations).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s the in-depth explanation. In summary, the process of how PV panels works involves three primary steps:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Solar cells within solar panels absorb light from the sun, which causes an electric current to begin flowing.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. An inverter converts DC electricity to AC electricity.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. This electricity is used to supply current energy demands in the customer\u2019s building and excess electricity beyond what the customer can use is exported to the grid (or to battery storage).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What happens with the energy a PV system produces?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Most solar customers in the U.S. have grid-connected solar installations. Because they are connected to the electric grid, these customers have the option of buying additional utility power if their solar installations aren\u2019t generating enough energy \u2014 like on rainy days or when the sun goes down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    It also means that whenever their PV system produces more power than they need, that excess energy can be sent to the grid for other utility customers to use. And thanks to different state-level incentives \u2014 like net metering and feed-in tariffs \u2014 it\u2019s often possible to monetize some of this surplus solar power and save even <\/span>more<\/i><\/b> money.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Net energy metering<\/h3>\n

    Under state-level <\/span>net metering<\/span><\/a> programs, utility customers can feed unused solar power into the grid in exchange for credits they can use to offset the cost of future utility bills.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Net metering has played a significant role in making solar energy cost-effective. However, around the country, we are <\/span>beginning to see some changes<\/span><\/a> in how utility companies <\/span>implement net metering<\/span><\/a>. Nowhere is this more obvious than in California with NEM 3<\/a>. Quite often, these changes attempt reduce the long-term value that solar customers receive from their PV installations. (Don\u2019t take this sitting down, <\/span>see what you can do<\/span><\/a>.)<\/span><\/p>\n

    Feed-in tariffs<\/h3>\n

    Feed-in tariffs<\/span><\/a> are another way of compensating solar customers for the electricity they send to the grid. Under most state-level feed-in tariff programs, utility customers receive <\/span>cash<\/i><\/b> payments instead of credits for any unused solar power they feed into the grid.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

    What are the parts of a Photovoltaic system?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    At its most basic, a PV system contains two types of components:<\/span><\/p>\n