Solar Electric - Photovoltaics (PV)

Solar energy is a popular form of renewable energy in the Bay Area. Despite the frequent layer of summertime fog and dampness, solar panels perform efficiently. Thanks to recent California "net-metering" laws, solar energy is now cost effective in an urban environment.

For the past several years, many Bay Area solar system installations have been "net-metered" or connected to the local utility grid. This allows business and homeowners to generate their own electricity and sell unused energy back to the grid. Utility intertied systems collect and add power to the utility grid during the day to offset power use at night. During daylight hours, the owner's electrical meter runs backwards as their solar panels produce more energy than they need. At night, the meter runs forward as the owner uses more electricity than they can generate. The utility charges only for the net difference of power consumed and power produced. With net-metered solar energy and some energy efficiency improvements, owners may eliminate their utility costs.

In a solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) system, energy is collected by the PV modules and sent through an inverter.  An inverter transforms direct current (DC) power generated by the PV modules into alternate current (AC) power.  This power is used onsite or is sent back through the electric meter, spinning it backwards during periods of high production and low consumption.