Source+9

"Customer Generation and Solar Energy FAQ." //Customer Generation and Solar Energy FAQ //. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. .

Facts
 * 1) Solar energy is a general term
 * 2) Solar thermal energy produces hot water or hot air for heating
 * 3) Solar photovoltaic systems use photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity
 * 4) Photovoltaic cells use silicon material to convert sunlight into electricity
 * 5) The cells on a panel are arranged into a sheet which is flexible
 * 6) When exposed to light, atomic electrons are released producing direct current (DC)
 * 7) To store the energy for cloudy days or night time, batteries are used.
 * 8) The stored power can be used to power most battery powered devices
 * 9) In order to use for common household items such as TVs, the DC power needs to be changed into Alternating Current (AC).
 * 10) DC power can be change into AC current by using an inverter
 * 11) additional cost are installing batteries and maintenance
 * 12) <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Option one is to sell power back to the grid
 * 13) <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Option two is to offset the customers cost by carrying credit over to the following month
 * 14) <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">There are federal tax incentives to help offset cost
 * 15) <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Duke energy will purchase all power produce and delivered to the grid