How Does PV Solar Power Work?
All photovoltaic solar power systems, whether you go with the traditional PV panels, BIPV solar shingles and tiles, or thin-film solar laminates, are installed to face the sun, and then connected to an inverter by a licensed electrician during the installation, so the Direct Current (DC) electricity generated by the photo-voltaic cells can be converted to Alternating Current (AC) in order to be used domestically or sold back to the grid. Yes, you can actually sell excess solar-generated electricity back to the grid.
Did you know? Many local electric utilities are often required by local laws to buy your excess electricity at pre-set rates. You can also get some pretty good tax credit benefits at the end of the year for the installation of a PV solar power system. Be sure to check your state’s and federal rebates and talk to your tax accountant to see if this might be a worthwhile pursuit for you.
Solar power systems use photovoltaic cells to generate clean, renewable electricity from the abundant solar rays. — Currently, there are three main types of PV solar systems available to homeowners.
Install Roof Shingles
$7,500 Average price |
Install Metal Roof
$14,500 Average price |
Install Flat Roof
$8,225 Average price |
|
|
||
See costs in your area
- Crystalline PV Solar Panels are based on solar cells made from silicone and placed inside a panel designed to contain many individual solar cells. PV panels are the most common and recognizable type of solar power systems installed on residential roofs today by companies in the likes of SolarCity (Most well-known and the priciest of all the solar power providers. — Notably, the price has nothing to do with the quality of the product or service, but rather is the result of the aggressive approach to sales), SunGevity, SunPower and many other large and small players. In the northern hemisphere, PV solar panels normally get installed on the south-facing side of the roof for optimum exposure to the sun.
