| What do you need to harvest solar power electricity? | | | | power that solar power cells generate into the AC |
| Well that depends on what the end goal is. | | | | (alternating current) electricity we use. Off grid |
| There are different ways in which to utilize solar | | | | systems require batteries to store the electricity you |
| power; primarily there are "off grid" systems and "grid | | | | harvest so it can then be used when the solar panels |
| tie" systems and a combination of the two. | | | | are not producing the electricity required to power your |
| In a grid tie system, your home is connected to the | | | | home (during the evenings and cloudy days). Some |
| "grid" (the electrical distribution system), the electricity | | | | people opt to have a hybrid system, and although they |
| you produce is fed back into the grid for all to use, | | | | are utilizing the grid tie system, they opt to have |
| typically a special meter is installed that monitors the | | | | batteries as a backup during power outages. |
| electricity that you produce and you are paid for the | | | | If you are considering a solar electric system the first |
| electricity that you feed into the grid. | | | | thing you want to do is to check out government |
| An off grid system is where you have completely | | | | programs from your federal, state and local |
| disconnected from the electrical distribution system, | | | | governments as some of these programs will help |
| relying only on the electricity that you are able to | | | | fund your home solar power project in the way of tax |
| produce yourself. | | | | credits and rebates, there are even incentives in some |
| Both types of systems require the same components | | | | countries that will buy the electricity you produce (at |
| that tie the solar power cells together: solar panels | | | | many times the market value). |
| (homemade or manufactured), a mounting system to | | | | Wouldn't it be nice to get a monthly check from your |
| ensure the panels are securely fastened, an inverter or | | | | utility company instead of writing one? |
| micro inverters to convert the DC (direct current) | | | | |