Solar installations are made up of three main functions: collection + storage = usage. The more you want to use, the more you must collect and store. There are four essential components which make this process safe and efficient: solar panels, charge controllers, inverters, and batteries. Solar panels collect the energy, battery banks store that energy, and then you use charge controllers and inverters to make that energy usable by appliances and devices in your home.

Photovoltaic solar panels themselves are made up of many solar cells made of silicon. These cells have both a positive and a negative layer, which creates an electric field. When sunlight hits your solar panel, it creates an electric current. This current, pushed by voltage, passes through the wires and components in your system. Then when you plug an appliance, voila!