Solar Components

All Solar Electric systems start with the solar electric module. Solar electric modules have changed over the past 30 years. Solar electric modules now produce more electricity, are lighter, and look better. Each solar electric module is about 5.5 feet long and 3 feet wide with a depth of less than 2 inches. Each solar electric module weighs between 40 – 50 pounds and come in either a silver or a black finish.

When exposed to sunlight, a solar electric module generates a little more than 200W of power which is the equivalent of:
  • 2% of the average Carolina home electricity usage;
  • 6 standard light bulbs; or
  • 18 compact fluorescent light bulbs

In addition to the solar electric modules, a Solar Electric system is made up of a number of components:

  1. Roof Mounting – roof mounting equipment is used to secure the solar electric modules to the roof. Like modules, roof mounting equipment can be purchased in either silver or black finish.
  2. Combiner Box – combiner box is a wire transition point where wires coming from the roof are combined and transitioned to a single pair of wires connected to the Inverter. The Combiner Box also contains fuses and a lightening arrestor.
  3. Inverter – Inverter changes the Direct Current (DC) produced by solar electric modules to Alternating Current (AC) used in our homes and businesses.
  4. Balance Of System – Balance of System (BOS) include all the other electrical devices required to safely install and operate a Solar Electric system. BOS devices include ground rod, wiring, conduit, and monitoring device.