Solar power has so many proven benefits and many more American homeowners are choosing to have solar panels installed on their roofs, with every passing year. However, if you’re new to the world of solar, you might find some of the terminology a little bewildering at first, and it might even deter you from making the switch.
To help you get to grips with some of the most common terms used in the solar industry today, here is a short guide:
PV: the process of converting light into energy, PV stands for Photovoltaics, and you’ll typically see panels listed as either solar or solar PV.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh): this refers to the standardized unit for measuring electrical power, and when you receive your energy bill each month, it’ll contain your kWh usage.
Grid-tied: the energy that you use from your solar panels, is connected to the utility grid, and when you have a solar panel system installed at your home, you’ll still be connected to the grid, hence: grid-tied. However, with the right size solar system, you should be able to offset the energy you use and power your home without having to rely on the grid.
Net-metering: abbreviated to NEM, this is a program that incentivizes homeowners to convert to alternative energy options, such as solar, with the use of a billing system that credits solar owners for the excess energy they produce. If your solar system happens to generate more than energy than you need, with NEM, it’ll be pumped back into the grid, and you’ll get credits on your electricity bill from the utility.
Net metering credits: these are the credits (as mentioned above) that are given to you by the utility for any excess energy you produce in a given month, and can be carried over until you receive your final bill, in which you’ll discover whether you get any money back, or whether you have to pay for any electricity you might have consumed.
Ground/roof mount: solar panels can be mounted on the roof of your home, or on the ground nearby, with the use of a racking system that enables the panels to be secured firmly and safely.
Solar tax incentives: these are offered by state or federal governments to help lower the cost of solar for consumers.
Consumption monitoring: this is when an electrical usage monitor is used to show how many kWh a device or appliance is using; some devices monitor total home usage, while others can be plugged in to monitor plug-in loads.
And there you have it, a super quick and easy to understand guide to the most commonly used terms in the residential solar system industry. Now that you’re in the know, it’s time to get with the program and make the switch to solar!
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