How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar Electric Systems, utilizing silicon based photovoltaic (PV) panels, convert sunlight directly into electricity. As light photons strike the silicon cells in a PV panel, electrons are knocked loose from their atoms, producing direct current (DC). This energy is sent to an inverter used to transform DC power into home, business, and grid usable AC (alternating current) power.

There are two types of systems. A single string system means panels are connected to each other and act as one, using a separate single inverter to change DC to AC (pluggable and grid-tied power). A micro-inverter system has a small inverter attached to each panel that makes each panel and cell alive and independent of the others and converts DC to AC immediately.

The micro-inverter system has the benefit of increasing each panel performance by 5% - 25% because every cell is live and independent from each other. Any shading from a chimney, trees or passing clouds affects only the cell shaded and the rest of the system generates power unaffected by shade issues around the array. Single string systems will shut down performance once a certain percentage of shading has reached even though many of the panels are in direct sunlight.

We prefer micro-inverters system because it is a better fit with the Michigan climate and a more flexible system.