How Solar Panels Work
Sometimes we over-complicate things. You do not need a physics degree to buy and install solar. We do the hard science and engineering bit so it’s easy for you.
You’ve certainly seen solar panels – they’re the sleek, dark sheets that sit on a roof or on the ground. Each solar panel usually consists of 60 or 72 solar cells, and these solar cells use sunlight to generate electricity for your home or business. Solar panels create direct current (DC) electricity when light strikes them, and that DC is converted into alternating current (AC) that is used by homes and businesses with a piece of equipment called an inverter.
Most high-quality panels have a 25 year output warranty, and they’ll continue to perform and produce power well past that point, often beyond the 40 year mark. That’s just one of the reasons solar panels are a great investment for any home that gets good sun.
Panels are attached to shingle or metal roofs on a home or business using a racking system that is either fixed to a pitched roof with watertight flashings or weighed down with a non-penetrating ballasted system on flat roofs. Panels can also be installed in a ground-mounted framing system, a great option for homes where the roof is shaded and a good sunny space is available next to your property.
When you produce energy from solar panels the home uses this in preference to grid (utility) energy. If there is not enough solar energy being produced the house tops itself up with grid energy. If you are making too much energy for the house it flows to the grid and you are credited (Net Metering) for later usage. Simple as that.
Solar Energy Can be Stored for later use with Battery Storage
The Panels We Use and Why
Solar Energy Solutions has carefully selected its module suppliers based on a detailed review of long-term performance, quality, financial stability and innovation. We source panels from a very limited number of Top 10 global manufacturers we are proud to represent. Many solar companies don’t tell you what module you are going to get on your roof as they are looking for last minute or remaindered deals. We are proud to bring you the best panels that will last for decades, and even if a rare problem does occur they will be around decades down the line to sort it out with us. The following companies we trust and work with for our panels:
Founded in China in 1997 Trina is the #1 global module supplier by volume and holder of the #1 ranking by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition for environmentally safe manufacturing processes. Trina panels are the cost effective mainstay of Solar Energy Solutions residential and commercial installs.
Part of LG electronics, a $58.6 B company with a 60 year heritage of leading edge consumer and industrial electronics. LG panels come with extended materials and power warranties of up to 25-years vs. the typical 10-years and have best in class efficiencies and ‘black on black’ visual appeal. As of Spring 2019 these panels have increasingly been made in Alabama rather than Asia. Solar Energy Solutions is a registered LG Pro Dealer. When a customer wants a lot of energy from a small space or outstanding architectural curb appeal appeal LG is our ‘go to’ panel.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Canada, with manufacturing in both Canada and Asia Canadian Solar are the #5 global module supplier by volume and are the second cost effective mainstay of Solar Energy Solutions residential and commercial installs.
When you absolutely, positively have to have the best visuals, efficiencies and life-long performance SunPower panels are the best in the world. Solar Energy Solutions has been an accredited SunPower residential and commercial dealer for many years.
SunPower, founded in 1985 is $4.8 B US based company with much of its manufacturing occurring in Hillsboro, Oregon. SunPower is renowned for its ultra-high efficiency and low degradation panels, top tier warranties, re-cycling commitment and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.