How Home Solar Really Works — Straightforward and Unbiased

1. The Basics: What Solar Actually Does

At its core, solar power just means turning sunlight into electricity. That’s it.

Your solar panels sit on your roof and collect sunlight. Inside each panel are cells made of special materials (usually silicon) that react when sunlight hits them. This reaction produces direct current (DC) electricity.

But your home runs on alternating current (AC) electricity. So the DC electricity goes through a device called an inverter, which switches it into AC so you can use it to power your fridge, lights, and everything else.

2. What Happens to Extra Power?

Solar panels don’t store energy. They just generate it while the sun is shining.

So what happens when your system makes more electricity than you're using? In Florida, most systems are grid-tied. That means your solar panels are connected to the power grid. Any extra energy your system makes flows back into the grid, and your utility gives you credit for it. This is called net metering.

At night, or on cloudy days, when your panels aren’t producing much, you pull power from the grid like normal.

It’s a give-and-take system.

3. What If There's a Power Outage?

Here’s something many people don’t know: most grid-tied solar systems shut down during a power outage.

That’s a safety feature. If power lines are being worked on, your system can’t be sending electricity into them—it would be dangerous for utility workers.

If you want your solar to keep working during an outage, you’ll need a battery or a special backup system. These store extra power for emergencies, but they add cost and complexity.

4. Will Solar Power My Whole Home?

Yes—but not all at once and not always.

Your system is sized based on how much electricity your home uses over time. On a sunny day, your panels might make more than enough. At night or during bad weather, you’ll use power from the grid.

Most homeowners aim for what’s called offset—you try to cover 90–100% of your annual usage with solar. You still stay connected to the grid, but your monthly bills drop dramatically.

5. How Big a System Do You Need?

It depends on:

• How much electricity you use (your utility bill shows this in kWh)

• How much sun your roof gets (angle, shade, direction)

• The size and efficiency of the panels

In Florida, the average home uses about 1,000–1,200 kWh per month. A typical solar system might have 15–25 panels, depending on your usage and roof space.

6. Do You Still Get an Electric Bill?

Yes—but it's often just the basic utility connection fee and any power you use beyond what your system generates.

With a well-sized system and good sunlight, many Florida homeowners cut their bills by 80–100%.

7. Is Maintenance a Big Deal?

Not really.

Solar panels have no moving parts, so there’s very little that can go wrong. In Florida, rain usually keeps them clean. Some homeowners rinse them off once or twice a year, especially during pollen season.

Inverters are more complex, and they may need replacement after 10–15 years. But most come with warranties.

8. What About Roof Damage?

Panels are mounted on racks that are attached securely to your roof. A professional installer will make sure they’re sealed properly to avoid leaks.

In some cases, if your roof is very old, you might need to replace it before going solar. That’s to avoid taking the panels off again later just to re-roof.

9. What Makes Solar Worth It?

It’s not just about saving money—though that’s a big part. It’s also about:

• Protecting against rising utility rates

• Producing your own power cleanly

• Making your home more resilient (especially with backup options)

• Adding long-term value to your property

Final Takeaway

Home solar isn’t magic—it’s just smart tech working with nature. Panels collect sunlight, an inverter turns it into usable energy, and your home uses it in real time. The grid fills in the gaps.

If you're a Florida homeowner, the sun is one of your biggest assets. Understanding how solar works helps you make smart choices—whether you go solar now or not.

No hype. No pressure. Just facts.