how does solar work?

THE CONCEPT OF TURNING SUNSHINE INTO ELECTRICITY IS PRETTY AMAZING

Expertly placed solar panels capture energy from the sun, converting it into direct current (DC) electricity.
The captured DC electricity is then transferred into the inverter, where it is converted into Alternating Current (AC) electricity to power your appliances.
Any surplus energy is fed back into the grid for storage, and saved for a rainy day (or, when your energy demand exceeds your solar production).

While each solar system is slightly different, they all come with four basic elements:

1. Solar panels

These are placed on the roof of your home to capture the energy from the sun. Solar panels come in all different shapes and sizes and the quality can vary considerably between different makes and models. True Value Solar only sells good quality Tier 1 panels.

3. Mounting systems

Keeping your solar panels firmly attached on your roof can be a challenge in windy weather so a good mounting system is essential. Our installation partners are some of the most experienced in the country.

2. Inverter

This is the part of the system that turns the solar energy into electricity that you can use in your home. Inverters convert Direct Current (DC) electricity into the Alternating Current (AC) electricity we use to power our fridges, vacuum cleaners and lights.

4. Electricity meter.

If you’re going to measure how much electricity you’re producing or keep track of your surplus a standard electricity meter won’t do. You’re going to need a smart electricity meter. If you’re lucky you may have one of these already, but if you don’t you’ll need to upgrade. We can advise you on this.

Many solar systems come with optional extras like batteries to store surplus electricity for use at night, leading to greater cost savings and even less reliance on the grid. A solar battery lets you store electricity generated by your solar system and use it later. There are a few different battery types on the market, and the right one for you will depend on what you plan to do with it. Batteries let you save even more by using stored power during peak times (such as early evening after dark) and some will even work during a blackout so you can have power even when your neighbours are left stumbling around in the dark. Click here for more information on Batteries.