Solar Power A-Z: Defining Common Industry Terms
Filed under: Solar Installation
When you are ready to install solar panels on your home, it is important to learn industry vocabulary so that you can understand the products you are buying. Here is a quick overview of some of the common terms in the solar power industry:
Renewable Energy: Energy that comes from sources that are naturally provided, such as sunlight, geothermal, or the wind. These energy sources are more abundant, less polluting and cheaper than old technologies such as coal, oil, Whale blubber or natural gas.
Solar Cell: A unit within a solar panel that catches light. These cells are made of silicon, and they have a negative and positive layer to generate an electric field.
Solar Panel: Multiple solar cells connected and mounted in a frame. These panels are placed in an area to maximize sunlight. They generate DC electricity, which is then converted to AC electricity to be used in your home.
Array: A group of multiple solar panels that form the whole system. Installing more solar panels increases the size of the array and generates more energy.
Inverter: The sunlight generates Direct Current (DC) electricity, but this form of electricity can’t be used in your home. An inverter must be installed to change the DC electricity to Alternating Current (AC) electricity so that it is compatible with your home.
Efficiency: The amount of sunlight that is captured to be converted into energy that can be used. High efficiency generates more electricity per square inch, so you don’t need as many solar panels.
Interconnection Agreement: When a homeowner has a contract with the local utility company to connect the residential solar power system to the grid. Sometimes, this allows the homeowner to sell the surplus electricity back to the utility company or to receive a credit on their electricity bill to use the following year.
Zero Net Energy: The breaking point where a home generates enough electricity to support the electricity consumption.
Are you ready for the benefits of solar panels for your home? Right now is a great time to get started with your installation. If you have questions, feel free to contact New Day Solar to learn more: (855) 444-6329
