Solar 101
A Beginners Guide

Step 1
SUNLIGHT REACHES THE SOLAR PANELS
The solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity throughout the day. Microinverters (located on the underside of the solar panels) receive the electricity from the solar panels and convert the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricty, which is used by your home appliances.

Step 2
AC COMBINER BOX
The AC combiner receives the electricity from all of the microinverters and combines the energy into a single source.

Step 3
AC POWER TRAVELS TO YOUR ELECTRICAL BOX
The AC electricity is sent from the AC combiner box to your electrical panel inside your home to power your lights and appliances with solar energy. The electrical panel is often called a “breaker box.”

Step 4
A UTILITY METER MEASURES YOUR ENERGY USE
As you generate more power than you immediately need, the excess energy is sent back to the power grid and your meter records the excess energy as energy received by SaskPower. This excess solar energy is sold to the local power utility through a net-energy program and offsets the energy that you use at night. Our monitoring systems can track your energy production and ensures that your solar power system is running smoothly.

Step 5
THE UTILITY GRID AND YOUR EXCESS SOLAR ENERGY
Your home or business is still connected to the local power grid. You’ll need that power from the utility company at night, but don’t worry, the cost is offset by any excess solar energy you put into the grid during the day.
SASKATCHEWAN IS THE
PERFECT PLACE FOR SOLAR

- An abundance of sunlight hours makes Saskatchewan’s solar potential the highest in Canada.
- 2nd highest cost of electricity in Canada.
- Solar panels actually work better in the cold because they convert
light into power, not heat. - Installing solar can increase your property value by up to 5%
- Businesses and incorporated farms can write off 100% of their
system cost in year one meaning thousands of dollars in tax savings - SaskPower gives you credits on your bill for overproduced power