State-of-the-Art Roofing Technology
Currently, solar power provides less than 7 percent of the power generated in the United States. But as solar technology improves and the cost of adding solar drops, the ability to capture and use the sun’s abundant energy is increasing.
In fact, the 2019 International Energy Agency Renewables Report showed that solar power is the fastest growing renewable energy source – and it will make up 60% of new renewable-based power capacity globally over the next five years. This is the first time solar energy capacity surpassed any other fuel as a source of power. In the coming years, many of us will be using solar power, whether we realize it or not. This also means that the time is right to invest in solar power for your home.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
Once solar panels are installed on your roof and begin to create energy, there are a few steps required to turn it into energy your home can use. As the sun hits the solar panels, they generate direct current (DC) electricity, where the electrons flow around a circuit in one direction. In order for your home to use this energy, it must be converted from DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity, where the electrons are pushed and pulled. When you have solar panels installed on your home, you will also have a solar inverter installed. The solar inverter changes the DC output of the solar panels into AC electricity that your home can use.
How Does Net Metering Work?
When your solar panels produce more energy than your home needs at any one time, you may wonder where that energy goes. That energy is sent back to the power grid and you get credit for it on your electric bill. This process is called net metering, and it’s one of the great things about solar. In essence, your roof is producing energy and sending the excess back into the electric grid through the meter on your home. This allows you to benefit from all the energy your home produces. When your home needs more energy than your solar panels are producing, you can use the energy credits from your excess energy to reduce your energy bill. Not every utility company offers net metering, but for those that do, it’s a great benefit for those who add solar.