Learning Center
If you’re just getting started with solar or want to know how it all works from the ground up, we’ve got you covered.
Solar panels
Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
Inverter
An inverter converts the DC electricity generated by solar panels into the alternating current (AC) electricity used in most homes.
Monitoring system
A monitoring system sends information about your solar installation, including the amount of energy it generates, to your solar provider, to maintain optimal system performance.
Utility grid
Your solar system is still connected to a local utility grid to provide power after sundown. Connection to the grid also allows your solar system to return to the grid any excess clean energy your system generates during the day. A utility meter measures your power consumption and solar output.
What is Kilowatt?
A kilowatt is a power unit equal to 1,000 watts. A dishwasher, for example, may be rated at 1,200 watts, which is also expressed as 1.2 kilowatts (kW). A typical home air conditioner has a peak power rating of 4,000 watts, or 4 kW. Meanwhile, the motor of a more powerful electric vehicle could be rated at 115 kW.
What Is A Kilowatt-Hour?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the amount of energy used by a device in one hour. Consider how many watts a television consumes: A 50-inch LED TV, for example, may consume 80 watts of power. It consumes 240 watt-hours, or.240 kWh, when watched for three hours per day. That equates to approximately 87.6 kWh over the course of a year.
If you have an electric car that requires 40 kWh of charging per week, that adds up to 2,080 kWh per year.
The power required by a device determines what a kilowatt-hour of electricity can do. An electric vehicle may be able to travel 3.5 miles on a single kWh, whereas the same amount may power your refrigerator for an hour.
How much can homeowners save on their utility bills with solar panels?
Utility companies typically set their own per-kWh rates, as well as policies tailored to customers who generate renewable energy. Net metering is a billing system that credits homeowners for the energy they generate. This is offset by the need to draw energy from the grid at night or on cloudy days. Net metering typically leads to lower energy bills. Some utility companies may also offer rate plans that allow solar homeowners to save money by charging a lower price per kWh.
The amount of money you can save on your monthly electricity bills with solar panels is determined by your electricity provider’s policies and rates, the energy efficiency of your home, the amount of electricity your solar system would produce, and other factors.
Understand your utility bills
Your electric bill may show the total amount of energy you used in a month, as well as the electricity rate per kWh. If your utility company offers Time Of Use or peak demand rate plans, your rates may vary depending on the time of day.
Examining your utility plans thoroughly will help you understand how many kWh of electricity your home consumes throughout the year. This information can help you use less energy and determine how many solar panels you may require.