And you’ll reduce your carbon footprint as well which is something else to feel good about. If you manage and monitor your usage, your solar panel system may generate more energy than you need. So, you could earn credits for the surplus energy you export back to the grid.

This part gets a little science-y but all you really need to know is this. Solar panels or solar photovoltaic systems absorb direct sunlight and convert it into electricity. Every panel is made up of solar cells which produce direct current or DC electricity.

That means the electricity flows in a single direction. Your home and appliances run on alternating current or AC electricity, which means electricity currents can flow back and forth in two directions.

So, to put solar energy to work in your home, your system must include an inverter that converts DC electricity to AC electricity. When your solar energy system is not producing enough electricity for your home when it’s say, a really cloudy day or at night, your home grid-tie solar system is still connected to receive electricity from the grid so you’ll have uninterrupted power.

Before you install solar on your Maine home, there are a few things you’ll need to remember. Every solar installation needs to be permitted in advance by your city or county. This is primarily for safety reasons and your contractor can help you with this.

If you’re part of a homeowners’ association, you’ll need to first obtain approval from your HOA. Not all solar panels are alike. Your contractor can help you select a solar technology that’s best for your home.

For more information on solar technology, visit our solar knowledge base. Congrats on your first step to going solar.