How Does A Solar System Work?

Simply put, a photovoltaic (PV) panel (solar panel) converts energy from light from the sun (irradiance) into DC (direct current) electricity. DC electricity is the same type that’s used in your car battery, but in the average solar system it’s at much higher voltages. The DC electricity that is produced is taken by wiring to the Inverter which is usually mounted near the switchboard.

The electricity that is used in your premises is not DC but AC (alternating current). So the inverter changes the electricity from DC to AC and is wired into your switchboard, allowing the electricity to be used in your premises or to be fed back into the electricity grid.

You could describe the solar panels as the ‘muscle’ and the inverter as the ‘brains’. You need both working well together to get the job done!