Rooftop solar systems convert sunlight into usable electricity through a simple chain of components: solar panels, an inverter, and your existing electrical panel.
Solar panels are made of photovoltaic (PV) cells that generate direct current (DC) electricity when sunlight hits them. Because most home appliances run on alternating current (AC), an inverter converts the DC power from your panels into usable AC power.
If your system is connected to the grid (on-grid or grid-tied), any extra electricity you generate but don't use can be exported to the grid under a net-metering arrangement, often earning you credit against electricity drawn from the grid at night.
For locations with frequent outages, a hybrid system adds battery storage so that essential loads keep running even when grid power is unavailable.
Before recommending a system size, a good installer will study your rooftop's orientation, shading, and your historical electricity consumption — this is why a proper site survey matters more than a generic quote.
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