How Does Residential Solar Power System Work?


What is the most abundant renewable resource on our planet? You have guessed it correctly – it is solar power. The technology behind solar power may seem intimidating and intricate to some people, but it is not really that difficult. The solar generated power makes use of technology that has been tested since the 19th century. So if you are thinking about fixing a solar panel at the roof of your house, then you must increase your understanding of how a residential solar power system works. 

How Does a Home Solar Power System Work?

  • Properly installed solar panels in direct sunlight on the roof of your house are used to convert the rays of the sun into DC electricity. The solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells.

  • The direct current produced by the solar cells is directed to the inverter through wires which is used to convert the DC electricity into AC power. 

  • From the inverter, the current flows to the service panel of the house for distribution. The electricity is fed to power the household.

  • Additionally, a digital tracking meter can be installed to calculate the total power consumption of your house. Sometimes, these tracking devices are also equipped with online monitors or display system as well to monitor how efficiently the system is working.

  • During daytime, when there is surplus electricity than the consumption requirements, the extra power is fed back to the power grid. The energy meter of your house will start spinning in the reverse direction when this occurs. 

  • Some governments buy this extra renewable energy from house owners. You will generate revenue to remunerate the cost of initial investment on the solar panels. 

  • However, at night if the household uses more energy than is being produced by the solar panel, then the additional energy is drawn from the power grid. 

Investing in harnessing the power of the sun is the most intelligent thing you can do as it reaps many benefits in the long run for the environment, yourself and your standard of living.