A solar PV system turns sunlight into electricity. Add a storage battery and the energy produced during the day can also be used in the evening or during a grid outage. Here’s how it works and what to consider before installing one.
The main components
- Solar modules: they generate direct current (DC).
- Inverter: it converts DC into alternating current (AC), the kind used in homes and businesses.
- Storage battery: it stores the energy you don’t use straight away.
- Protection and monitoring: they keep the system safe and let you track production and consumption.
Size it to your consumption, not your roof
The starting point is your consumption profile: how much energy you use and at what times of day. A well-designed system maximises self-consumption, the energy you produce and use directly. Orientation, tilt and shading all affect output and should be assessed on site.
Why storage makes the difference
- You use in the evening the energy produced during the day.
- You buy less energy from the grid.
- With a suitable inverter, essential loads stay powered during a power cut: a major advantage where the grid is unreliable.
Dust, heat and maintenance
Dust and sand on the panels reduce output: in dry or windy areas, regular cleaning is part of maintenance. Inverters and batteries work best in a ventilated space, out of direct sunlight. Periodic checks of connections, protective devices and performance keep the system efficient over time.
Safety
The DC side of a solar system stays live whenever there is daylight, even with the inverter switched off. Installation and any work on it should be carried out by qualified technicians, using certified components and suitable protection.
Want to know whether solar makes sense for your home or business? We start from your consumption and recommend the most suitable solution, with or without storage.