Until the rise of solar energy, most homeowners gave very little thought to how energy is produced to power their homes. The only knowledge needed was the location of the electric meter on their home and who they’re paying monthly for the service. 

Now, homeowners are reeling from high electricity bills and turning to solar as an alternative—and finding that it requires knowing a little more than where the meter is located. Thankfully, the solar energy process is easy to understand with just three key pieces of information. 

• Solar Panels

Solar panels installed on rooftops utilize photovoltaic (PV) technology. When the sun shines onto the solar panels, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panels and creates electrical charges, which spark the flow of electricity.

• Inverters

An inverter is the most important piece of equipment in a solar energy system. It is the device that converts direct current (DC) electricity created by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity used by electrical grids. Inverters are power electronics that regulate the flow of electrical power. 

• Smart Meter

In a solar energy system, a smart meter replaces your traditional electric meter. It is the device that measures the electricity your solar system is producing, the electricity you’re receiving from the grid, and any surplus of electricity going from your home to the grid. A smart meter automatically transmits this information to your energy provider for the sake of billing. 

When selecting a solar energy partner, it’s important that education is a part of their process so the homeowner fully understands the system and how it will work. The switch to solar energy is a big decision that requires a complete understanding of how your energy generation will differ from traditional electricity. 

Considering solar? Use our Solar Savings Calculator to obtain a custom solar savings estimate for your home. We invite you to learn more about Smart Green Solar, our core values and our unique approach–which has led to us becoming a leading full-service provider in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.