Solar Electricity

Solar Electricity

Solar Electricity (Photovoltaic) Systems

Solar electricity, also known as solar photovoltaic (PV), allows you to capture energy from the sun and use it as electricity in your home or business. Solar electricity is what most people think about when they think of solar panels or solar energy. In contrast to solar thermal systems like solar pool heating and solar water heating, solar electricity can provide seamless electricity to all of your appliances and devices with power that is often cleaner and more stable than power provided by an electric utility.

Most systems installed today are what’s known as grid-interactive or grid-tied systems. That means the solar energy system works in parallel with utility electricity to provide power to a home or business in a seamless manner. With a grid-interactive system, you are not aware of the source of electricity (unless looking at a system monitor). 

There are no switches to worry about, and the system works without user interaction to reduce your electricity bill. When you are consuming more power than the solar energy system provides, the utility company will deliver the extra power needed. When you are producing more power than you need, the excess is delivered back to the utility grid, for which you get credit against your utility bill. This process is known as Net Metering.

How a grid-interactive solar electric (photovoltaic) system works

product solar electricity
1 Solar photovoltaic panels convert solar radiation to DC electricity. A HOME WITH SOLAR ELECTRICITY INSTALLED. 1 of 5 2 Microinverters convert DC electricity into AC electricity that is usable in your home. 2 of 5 3 Electricity is synchronized with the utility grid and fed into your existing electrical distribution and meter, powering everything in your home and sending excess energy to the grid. 3 of 5 4 A monitoring system records the energy produced by your system and sends data to the Internet for storage via your existing wired or wireless home network. 4 of 5 5 You can view your system’s performance on your computer or mobile device at any time to get real time and historical data on a panel-by-panel basis. 5 of 5

Some solar electric systems also employ battery storage. These systems are relatively uncommon in Southwest Florida, and are recommended only where there is a real need to store energy for backup purposes. Battery storage is required for off-grid systems that are not connected to the utility grid. Since solar power output fluctuates (and doesn’t exist at night), batteries are required for true off-grid systems.

Batteries are relatively expensive and require maintenance, so few people take the leap to being truly energy independent and realize that grid-interactive systems fulfill their financial and environmental energy goals.

solar electric commercial system
A Commercial Solar Electric Array

It is possible to reach a “net-zero” home or business, which means that on an annual basis, you have no net energy consumption. You will still have a small monthly energy bill with a net-zero home or business because the utility company charges each account holder a base customer charge. This is reasonable given that you are, after all, still using the electricity grid and have the privilege of effectively selling electricity to your neighbors.

Solar electric systems provide a reasonable return on investment when compared to other investments of similar term and risk. You can calculate your estimated solar energy production and investment returns using our handy solar energy calculator. Solar electricity is a long term investment that will provide many years of reduced electric bills and is a great hedge against rising energy prices and inflation.

If you are interested in learning more about solar electricity, please contact Florida Solar Design Group today at (239) 491-8010.

Punta Gorda Solar Electricity

Solar Electricity

Also known as solar photovoltaic, power your home with solar electricity and connect to the utility grid as your electricity producer.

solar pool heating collectors

Solar Pool Heating

The most popular and efficient use of solar energy in , FL is with solar pool heating panels.

Fort Myers Solar Water Heating

Solar Water Heating

Heating water is one of the largest electrical loads in , FL homes, and you can reduce costs with solar panels.

In addition to the above products, we offer related accessories, pool automation, pool filters, solar controllers, variable speed pumps, plumbing and valve upgrades, solar attic fans, solar tubular skylights, and more in . If you don’t see a solar product or energy efficient upgrade your are looking for, please contact us to learn more about what we offer.

Florida Solar Design Group offers the following services in for solar electricity, solar pool heating, and solar water heating:

service consulting 1

Solar Consulting

The first step when considering a solar energy investment is learning.

service design

Solar Design

We help you determine what solar products will fit and how they will look.

service sales

Solar Sales

When you have made a decision to invest in solar, we provide the best products.

Solar Education

Empowering You with Solar Knowledge from our Experts

Free Solar Panel Layout

See solar panels on your home with a 3D Computer Analysis!

Free for Southwest Florida Residents!

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