How Does A Solar System Work?

A solar system with a solar battery allows you to generate your own clean electricity and store the excess to use when the sun isn’t shining. Think of it as your own personal, mini power grid.

Here is exactly how the components work together to power your home day and night.

1. The Daytime Cycle: Generation & Powering Your Property

During the day, the system focuses on catching sunlight and keeping your property running for free.

• Step 1: Capturing the Sun (Solar Panels): Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight hits these cells, it knocks electrons loose, creating Direct Current (DC) electricity.
• Step 2: The Conversion (The Inverter): Your appliances run on Alternating Current (AC) electricity, not DC. The DC power travels from your roof down to a device called an inverter, which instantly converts it into usable AC power.
• Step 3: Home First: This fresh AC electricity travels straight to your home’s switchboard. Your refrigerator, TV, and air conditioner consume this power first.

2. The Excess Cycle: Charging the Battery

On a sunny day, your panels will usually produce far more electricity than your property actually needs. Instead of letting that extra energy go to waste, the system diverts it.

• Step 4: Storing the Surplus: The smart inverter recognises that your property’s energy demands are met. It directs the extra electricity into your solar battery, charging it up for later use.
• Step 5: Hit the Grid (Optional): If your battery becomes 100% full and your panels are still churning out power, the absolute final surplus is sent out to the main electricity grid. In most postcodes, your utility company will give you a small credit (a feed-in tariff) for this power.

3. The Nighttime Cycle: Discharging the Battery

Once the sun goes down, your solar panels stop generating electricity. This is where the battery pays for itself.

• Step 6: Battery Power Takes Over: Instead of instantly buying expensive electricity from the utility company, your property draws the stored AC electricity directly out of your battery.
• Step 7: The Grid as a Safety Net: If it’s a rainy week or you use an unusual amount of power overnight, your battery might empty out. If that happens, your system seamlessly switches over to drawing power from the main grid. You won’t notice a thing—your lights won’t even flicker.