How a solar cell system works, step by step!

☀️ Step 1: Solar Panels

• Solar panels (also called photovoltaic panels) are made up of many solar cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
• When sunlight hits the solar cells, the energy from the light particles (photons) excites electrons, creating an electric current.
• This DC electricity is the foundation of the energy the system will use and store.

⚡ Step 2: Inverter

• Most homes and appliances use alternating current (AC), not DC.
• The inverter's job is to convert the DC electricity from the solar panels into usable AC electricity.
• Some systems use microinverters attached to each panel, while others use a single centralized inverter.

🔋 Step 3: Batteries (Optional but Useful)

• Battery storage allows excess energy generated during sunny hours to be stored for later use (like at night or during outages).
• When energy demand is high or solar production is low, the system can draw from these batteries instead of pulling from the grid.
• This makes a solar setup more self-sufficient and resilient.

🧮 Step 4: Meter

• A special bi-directional electric meter tracks electricity flow both ways: energy you consume and energy you send back to the grid.
• This meter helps enable *net metering*, a system that gives you credit for excess energy you contribute to the grid.
• It ensures you're billed correctly—paying only for the net amount of electricity you use.

🏙️ Step 5: Electric Grid

• The electric grid acts as a backup and overflow system.
• On cloudy days or when usage is higher than solar output, you can draw power from the grid.
• When your system generates more than you use, the excess flows into the grid, reducing strain on utility providers and potentially earning you credits.

Together, these steps make up a smart and sustainable loop of energy generation and use.