HOW DOES SOLAR ENERGY WORK?
It is simple: the Sun hit the panels which are made of photovoltaic (also known as PV panels) cells. These cells are made of silicium allowing photons to knock electrons free from atoms and generate electricity. The PV panels generate Direct Current or DC (used for mobile phone, laptop, batteries …) however, to be connected to your home and the grid, this DC current needs to be transformed into Alternative Current or AC which is the form of current traditionally delivered by the grid. To turn DC current into AC an inverter is installed between the panel and the house main circuit breaker.
If you generate more power than you consume, this extra power can be exported to grid but it is NOT LOST! This is the good news: current regulation allows owners of Solar Panels installations to export and import back electricity from the grid but the rate is slightly different: if you export 1kWh, you may have a credit of 0.65 kWh.
Your power supplier will need to replace your existing meter with a net meter measuring how much electricity you import and how much you export. At the end of the month, these are taken into account in the balancing the electricity bill.
DESIGN
Our company can design, procure, install and maintain the solar system for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do solar panels produce electricity when the sun isn’t shining?
Yes, Solar panels start generating electricity when there is some light so even there are clouds or during the rainy season, your system will still generate power. At night the solar panels don’t produce electricity.
Are solar panels working in case of electricity blackout?
There are still generating electricity however, for safety reasons, to protect people repairing the line, the system automatically shuts down unless you have a battery storage as well.
How is it connected to the grid?
Solar panels generate Direct Current (DC) and cannot be directly connected to the grid which provides and requires Alternative Current (AC). Solar panels are connected to one or several inverters which turn DC into AC and can be exported to your local power supplier using a net meter.
Do I get money from my power supplier if I export power to the grid?
No most probably you don’t get money, as there may not such a mechanism called ‘Feed-in Tariff’ for rooftop solar panels in your country. However, you will get a credit for the energy exported, which will reduce your electricity bill. This is called Net Metering.
How are the panels mounted on the roof?
Solar panels are tied to aluminum rails which are fixed on the structure of the roof. Then a sealant is applied to make the junction water proof.
Will I still receive electricity bills if I go solar?
Yes, being connected to the grid involves connection charges that solar cannot reduce, whether you consume electricity or not. So ideally the right size of system will allow you to reduce your electricity bill but the savings shall not overlap with the minimum charges otherwise you are paying twice: one for being connected to the grid, and a second for generating electricity
Is maintenance needed?
The maintenance mainly consists in cleaning the solar panels to make sure they produce at their maximum capacity. On a yearly basis check of the electrical system, cabling, panels and mounting rails is required.
What do I do if it doesn’t work?
Please contact us and we’ will advise. We provide a 1-year warranty on the installation and the equipment providers between 10 to 12 years on their products. We will liaise with the suppliers at your end to avail the warranty..
