How solar electricity works
Sungevity solar systems generate electricity from sunlight. No noise, no fuel, no pollution and no moving parts - just clean, reliable electricity direct from the sun.
Unlike solar hot water systems, which use the sun's energy to heat water, solar electric systems convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Sungevity solar systems are simple. They’re comprised of solar panels, the racks for putting the panels on your roof, some electrical wiring, and an inverter. Once you decide to go solar, panels are mounted on your roof and connected together. During daylight hours they silently generate electricity and send it to your inverter. The inverter converts direct current (DC) generated by the panels to alternating current (AC), which then flows to your home or the utility grid.
And there it is, simple. The science behind solar electricity
If you install a solar system, your utility will monitor how much power you make and how much you use. It does this through a process called net metering. If your solar system generates more electricity than you use, your meter spins backwards and you export power to the grid. The grid is a network of cables that carries and transmits electricity from large centralized power plants to individual homes. When you use more power than you generate, like at night, you draw power back off the grid as required.
Net Metering
The utility tracks your net electricity use for you. All you will notice are your lower electricity bills – at the end of every month, for over 25 years!
How much solar electricity do I need?
Every home is different. For each system we design, we calculate how much of your home’s annual electricity consumption can be provided by solar energy, and how much electricity you will draw off the grid.
The amount of electricity your solar system generates depends on the size of the system: the more solar panels you install, the more electricity you generate. You can produce 100% of your energy or create a hybrid home. For better financial gains, we usually recommend making your home a hybrid, where you get some of your energy from a solar system and some from the grid.
When you’re ready to see how much solar your home needs, Sungevity makes it easy. Simply enter your address, and we’ll design a system for your roof remotely, using satellite images. We’ll get back to you with the systems that will fit on your roof – all online and free.
You can then choose the system size that reflects the amount of electrical autonomy you’re seeking, and best fits your financial goals.
What if I move?
Some customers worry about investing in a solar system if they are not positive they will be in their home for the next 10-20 years.
Residential solar systems are valuable assets that increase the value of your home. If you move, you can sell the solar system with your house. In fact, the system will likely appreciate in value with electricity price increases. Your home’s solar system will continue to generate electricity for at least 25 years, regardless of who owns the home.
So, if you choose to move, you have two options:
- Sell the system with your house. The value of your home with the solar system is increased by twenty times the value of your annual utility bill savings– see Increase your property's value.
- Move your system to your new home. Contact Sungevity and we can help you move your system.
Expert Solar Installations
Sungevity’s team has over 10 years of installation experience, gained from more than 500 completed installations in California, Hawaii, and North Carolina.
We continually evaluate new technologies in the solar market so we can be sure that our installers use the best techniques and source the best materials for your installation.
For most customers, we are able to do a remote roof analysis and determine the solar potential, rebates and permit requirements using satellite images (like those from Virtual Earth) without having to do a site visit. We will also calculate your financial returns and the environmental benefits of going solar.
Like most residential installers, we warranty our installations for 10 years, and our inverters and panels (the most expensive part of your system) are warranted for 10 and 25 years respectively, so you can rest easy knowing your investment is secure.
Don’t wait, get your online quote now!
After you’ve submitted your address and energy bills, we’ll email you a quote, usually in 24 hours.