Solar Energy FAQ (contd)

What is an inverter? Simply put, an inverter converts the direct current from the sun to the alternating current that the vast majority of electtical appliances operate on. What size should my system be? A solar system can be any size to suit the customer’s goals or budget. It is not necessary to install a solar array that will zero your electric bill. Often there is limited roof space compared to the amount of electricity being used over a twelve month period. Systems are often sized to simply reduce an electricity bill; this provides you with a smaller electricity bill and protection against the future inflation of electricity prices. A solar system is sized and designed based on the present and predicted future use of electric demand, and is based on kilowatt hours (kWh) consumed during a one year period. Solar does not produce much electricity on overcast days, so seasonal variations are taken into account when estimating the benefits. Established databases (such as PVWatts) are used to determine the forecast (in kWh) that can be generated by a solar system in a particular location, and at a specific building orientation.

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