How it Works
Photovoltaic modules mounted on your roof absorb photons (sunlight) and convert it to electricity. Photovoltaic modules are a solid state technology, which means they produce electricity with no moving parts. For this reason, they last a long time (over 30 years). They can be mounted to your roof easily and safely. Modules can also be integrated into other structures such as carports, ramadas, parking shade structures, fixed ground mounts, and trackers.
The electricity from photovoltaic modules is direct current (DC), just like the electricity produced by a battery. An inverter converts the DC electricity to 208 or 240 volts of AC power identical to the utility. Both three phase and single phase inverters are available. Battery back up is currently only available for 240 volt service.
The electricity from the inverter is used first to supply power to your house. If you produce more electricity than you are using, the excess will be fed back to the utility to power your neighbors. Net metering allows you to credit the excess generation toward consumption at other times. If you are consuming more electricity than your system is producing, the shortfall will be met by the utility.