Efficiency & LIPAHow Solar Power Works
Solar electricity (also known as photovoltaics, or PV) is a technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity. The solar “cell” is the basic building block of PV technology. Solar cells are wired together to form a solar, or PV module. These modules are typically mounted on the roof where they gather solar energy in the form of sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. The more sunlight they receive, the more electricity they produce and the less you need to purchase from LIPA.
To convert DC power to alternate current (AC) power, the type of electricity used in a typical home or business, a device called an Inverter is used. Depending upon the size of the PV system, inverters may be mounted by the PV manufacturer right on the back of the PV module. Inverters may also be wall-mounted separately from the PV system, but within close proximity to the solar panels. If more electricity is produced through the PV system than needed, the excess power will flow back through your meter to LIPA’s grid system. This is known as ‘net metering’.
