Solar panel systems are robust. Solar panels can be a massive asset to your home if correctly installed and maintained. Four main components make up your solar panels:

• Solar photovoltaic cell panels work to convert solar energy into power and electricity.
• Inverters convert DC electricity to AC electricity.
• Racking and mounting hardware fit your panels to a roof or surface with the best possible exposure to the sun.
• Performance monitoring technology provides data by tracking and monitoring your solar system's electricity output and maintenance needs.

We will discuss each of these components in-depth below:

Solar Panels

Solar panels are framed in metal with a glass covering, wiring, and solar cells (silicon, phosphorous, and boron). Typically one panel, also known as a module, is about four feet wide and six feet tall, weighing about 30 pounds. Solar cells are an essential part of solar panels, and thousands of these cells are placed together to do the important work of gathering energy from the sun. Different companies and brands will have unique configurations of solar cells. When incoming sunlight touches the solar cells, it activates electrons that flow through the cells. Wires in the cells absorb and capture the electron energy flow and combine it with other cell energy to generate an electrical current. This is called the photovoltaic effect. A basic explanation of the photovoltaic effect is as follows:

1. Sunlight strikes the solar cells, giving energy to the electrons in the cells and triggering them in motion.
2. An electrical current is then created by the electrons that flow out of the junction between cell layers.
3. Wires and metal plates seize the electron flow, thereby generating electricity.

Inverters

Direct current (DC) electricity is the power that is generated from the solar cells. It needs to be changed into alternating currents (ACs). Inverters in your solar panels make that change so that the electricity that's gathered is usable for your home. Solar panels have three basic types of inverters:

1. String (or Centralized) Inverters

For this inverter type, a single inverter connects all of your solar panels to your electrical panel. String inverters are a standard and affordable option and offer durable technology. The con of this option is a slightly weaker power converter, mostly affected by the electricity production of every panel. If shading slows electricity production, the entire system's performance can be lowered.

2. Microinverters

Microinverters are technology installed on every individual solar panel. This separate connection allows each panel to perform at its maximum capacity, even during shading. This inverter option surpasses many performance issues and can usually offer rapid shutdown capabilities, panel-level monitoring, diagnostics, and flexibility for the layout of your panels. The main con of this option is that it's costly.

3. Power Optimizers

Power optimizers combine microinverters and string inverter technology.

• Like microinverters, this type of inverter has power optimizers at each panel.
• Instead of transforming the DC power into AC power, the optimizers shape the DC power.
• The electricity is then sent to a centralized inverter.
• Power optimizers offer many benefits of microinverters and perform well despite shading or multiple panel directions.
• Power optimizers suit complicated installations.
• The pricing for power optimizers tends to land midway between microinverters and string inverters.

Racking and Mounting Hardware

Mounting systems and racking hardware secure the solar panels to your rooftop during installation. The equipment is usually made up of flashings, mounts, rails, and camps. Your solar panel installer will fix the panels at a certain angle, (about 30 and 45 degrees), facing south. The ideal conditions are necessary for maximum power sourcing. Before your solar installer fixes your home solar panels flat on your roof (which is often the case for residential solar), discuss whether you have the option of tilting to capture the sunlight at the best possible angle. Your solar specialist may give you the choice of tracking mounts or fixed mounts for your solar panels.

• Fixed mounts are panels that remain stationary upon installation.
• Tracking mounts can move and "track" the sun throughout the day. This option is commonly only possible for ground-mounted solar panels.

Performance Monitoring Technology

A performance monitoring system will provide all the data of your solar system in the following ways:

• Displays the performance of your system - hourly, daily, monthly.
• Offers information about energy consumption and generation.
• It helps you measure if the optimal use of energy is being generated and used.
• Will alert you to damages or maintenance needs of your solar system.
• Some technology can track electricity savings.

A performance monitoring system can function on-site or remotely (via an app monitoring service or online)