FAQ's
Production of Photovoltaic Solar Energy
The creation of electricity using a solar energy system starts with photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells consist of a positive and a negative slice of silicon placed under a thin slice of glass (this glass is strong enough to allow a bowling ball to drop from 10 feet without cracking). As the protons of the sunlight beat down onto the PV cell they knock the neutrons off the silicon. The negatively charged free neutrons are attracted to the silicon but are trapped by the magnetic field that is formed from the opposing fields. Small wires on the silicon catch these neutrons and when connected in a circuit an electric current is formed. The electricity formed here is direct current (DC) and is led through wires to an inverter. The inverter changes the current to an alternating current (AC) and is then distributed to the existing electrical circuits in your home. Any excess electricity at this point is sent back to the grid (SDG&E) or to a series of Deep Cycle batteries (off grid).