Solar 101
What Is Solar Power and How Does It Work?
What is solar power? Learn how photovoltaic systems turn sunlight into electricity, why costs have fallen and what solar means for Ontario homeowners.
What is solar power? Learn how photovoltaic systems turn sunlight into electricity, why costs have fallen and what solar means for Ontario homeowners.
Solar power is electricity made from sunlight. It is one of the fastest-growing energy technologies in the world, and for Ontario homeowners it offers a practical way to lower electricity bills while cutting emissions. This article explains what solar power is, how photovoltaic systems work and why they have become such a popular choice.
Photovoltaics, or PV, are solar cell systems that convert sunlight directly into electricity. A PV system is made of panels, which contain many solar cells, plus an inverter that changes the panels' direct current into the alternating current used in your home, mounting hardware and wiring. When sunlight hits the cells, it knocks electrons loose and creates a current, with no fuel burned and no moving parts. We describe the process in more detail in how do solar panels work?
Solar panels are a strong alternative to fossil fuel consumption. They produce electricity quietly and cleanly, directly where it is used.
The production, cost and manufacturing of solar panels and supplies have dropped substantially in the last decade, making solar one of the most affordable forms of electricity. Panels commonly last around 25 to 30 years, and most are built with either monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells. A range of materials can be used in manufacturing, which is part of what has driven competition and lower prices. For a look at current numbers in the province, read our guide to the cost of solar panels in Ontario.
Solar is also a source of jobs. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the renewable energy sector employed a record 10.3 million people worldwide in 2017, driven by rising investment, and that figure has continued to grow in later years. As IRENA put it, "Renewable energy provides a significant and growing number of jobs worldwide each year." That makes solar a sustainable, affordable and smart investment, and it supports local employment, including skilled trades such as the licensed electricians who install systems in Ontario.
Renewable technologies, including solar, wind and hydropower, produce little to no pollution while they operate. Solar's environmental benefits include lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduced air pollution compared with fossil fuel generation. By shifting toward solar, communities can move closer to decarbonization and net-zero goals.
Greater investment in and awareness of renewable energy helps build more resilient and sustainable economies. Solar is also useful in remote places and developing regions, where small micro-grid systems can bring electricity to communities that are far from the main grid.
For a homeowner in the GTA, solar works through a straightforward arrangement called net metering. Your panels produce power during the day, your home uses what it needs and extra electricity is sent to the grid for bill credits. The credits then offset what you draw at night or in winter. Learn more in how net metering works in Ontario.
Terawatt Solar designs and installs residential and commercial solar systems with ESA-licensed in-house crews, and we offer a free site assessment so you can see how much a system could produce on your property. Learn more at NREL's solar research if you would like the technical background, or contact us for a quote.
PV stands for photovoltaic, which describes technology that converts light directly into electricity.
Most panels are designed to last 25 to 30 years or more, though output slowly declines over time.
Yes. Ontario receives plenty of sun, and net metering lets homeowners earn credits for extra power they send to the grid.
