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Solar panels on rooftop

SolarBasics

Understanding how solar energy works is the first step toward making a smart choice for your home or business.

HowDoesSolarWork?

Explore how each component works together to power your home.

1

Solar Panels

Capture sunlight and generate DC electricity.

2

Inverters

Convert DC electricity to AC electricity used in your home.

3

Electrical Meter

Measures energy consumption and net metering credits.

4

Battery Storage

Stores excess energy for use at night or during outages.

5

Home & Grid

Powers your home and sends surplus to the utility grid.

When sunlight hits the solar panels, it creates an electric field that produces direct current (DC) energy. An inverter converts this into the AC power your home uses. Any excess energy can be stored in a battery for nighttime use and outage protection, or sent back to the grid for net metering credits.

Solar panel home
Solar panel close-up
Battery storage interior
Solar home wide view
American Made Solar Panels

Proudly American Made

Every panel we install is manufactured in the United States, built to the highest quality standards while supporting American workers and communities.

Equipmentbyfinancingplan

The panel and inverter on your roof depend on how you buy your system: lease or PPA, cash or loan, or prepaid lease. Battery storage can be added to any plan.

Lease / PPA

No upfront cost, pay for the power or a fixed monthly lease.

Solar module
Qcells 410W
Inverter
SolarEdge Home Hub (SE11400H-US)

Cash / Loan (ownership)

You own the system, paid in cash or financed with a loan.

Solar module
SEG 440W
Inverter
SolarEdge Home Hub (SE11400H-US)

Prepaid Lease

Pay the lease up front, no monthly payment.

Solar module
Qcells 410W
Inverter
Enphase IQ8HC microinverters

SolarPanelsWeInstall

High-efficiency, all-black modules with long product and performance warranties.

Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ all-black solar panel
Lease / PPA and Prepaid Lease

Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+

Qcells 410W

All-black Q.ANTUM DUO Z module with zero-gap cell layout, Anti LeTID and Anti PID protection, and a high-tech aluminum frame rated for heavy snow and wind.

  • 395-415 Wp
  • 21.1% max module efficiency
  • 132 half cells, all black
  • 25-year product and performance warranty
  • Domestic content option (U.S. manufactured components)
Spec sheetQcells product video
SEG Yukon N Series bifacial solar panels, front and back
Cash / Loan

SEG Yukon N Series

SEG 440W

N-type bifacial half-cell module with super multi busbar technology, superior load capacity, and a better temperature coefficient for hot climates.

  • 430-445 Wp
  • 22.79% max efficiency
  • Half-cell N-type bifacial
  • 30-year product warranty
  • 30-year linear power warranty
  • Houston, Texas based company
Spec sheetSEG product video

InvertersWeUse

The brain of your solar system, converting DC power from panels into usable AC electricity.

SolarEdge Home Hub inverter
Lease / PPA and Cash / Loan

SolarEdge Home Hub Inverter

SE11400H-US - String inverter

The brain of a SolarEdge system. One unit handles solar conversion, battery storage, and home backup.

  • HD-Wave technology
  • Home backup ready
  • 12-25 year warranty
  • Supports battery, EV charging and whole-home backup
Spec sheetHD-Wave technology video
Enphase IQ8HC microinverter
Prepaid Lease

Enphase IQ8HC Microinverter

Microinverter

Software-defined microinverter on every panel. Shade on one panel does not drag down the rest, and it can produce power even when the grid is down.

  • 384 VA peak output
  • 97.0% CEC efficiency
  • Microgrid-forming
  • 25-year limited warranty
  • UL certified
Spec sheetIQ8HC product video

BatteryStorage

Store excess solar energy and power your home during outages or at night. Available on any plan.

Tesla Powerwall 3 home battery
Tesla Certified Installer

Tesla Powerwall 3

Fully integrated solar and battery system. A single unit supports the power needs of most homes, and Powerwall 3 Expansions scale it up later.

  • 13.5 kWh capacity
  • 11.5 kW continuous AC
  • Up to 20 kW DC solar input
  • Starts loads up to 185 LRA
  • Whole-home backup
Spec sheetPowerwall 3 video
FranklinWH aPower 2 home battery
15 kWh

FranklinWH aPower 2

AC-coupled, off-grid ready battery that runs heavy loads like air conditioners and water heaters during outages and fully charges ahead of severe weather.

  • 15 kWh AC per unit
  • 10 kW continuous / 15 kW peak
  • 8 kW charge power
  • Up to 15 units per aGate
  • 15-year warranty
Spec sheetaPower 2 video
Enphase IQ Battery 5P home battery
Modular

Enphase IQ Battery 5P

All-in-one AC-coupled battery that stacks to the exact capacity you need and provides backup capability.

  • 5.0 kWh usable per unit
  • 3.84 kVA continuous
  • Six embedded grid-forming microinverters
  • 15-year limited warranty
  • UL certified
Spec sheetIQ Battery 5P video

SizingStorageProperly

How many batteries does your home actually need? Here is the simple math we use.

Solar panels make the power, but a well-sized battery is what actually delivers the savings. If the battery is too small, your home runs out of stored energy in the evening and you end up buying power from the utility at peak rates.

Example home using 11,000 kWh per year

  1. Annual usage / 365 = Daily usage

    11,000 kWh / 365 = 30.1 kWh per day

  2. Daily usage / 2 = Nightly usage

    30.1 kWh / 2 = about 15 kWh at night

  3. Nightly usage / usable battery capacity = Batteries needed

    15 kWh / 15 kWh (one FranklinWH aPower 2) = 1 battery

Rule of thumb: Plan for total battery capacity equal to about half of your daily electricity usage.

Solar production is an annual estimate. Your panels produce less in fall and winter and more in spring and summer. Be cautious of anyone who proposes a single battery for a large home without walking you through this math.

Calculating battery needs infographic

4KeyThingstoLookFor

When choosing the right solar system for your home.

Panel Efficiency

Panel Efficiency

Higher efficiency panels produce more power in less space. Look for mono PERC or N-type cells with 20%+ efficiency ratings.

Inverter Type

Inverter Type

String inverters are cost-effective, while microinverters optimize each panel individually. Your roof layout and shading determine the best fit.

Battery Storage

Battery Storage

A properly sized battery keeps your home powered during outages and stores excess solar for nighttime use. LFP batteries offer the longest lifespan.

Warranty & Installer

Warranty & Installer

Look for 25-year panel warranties and choose a certified installer. LightSkye is a Tesla Certified Installer and NABCEP-accredited.

FrequentlyAskedQuestions

Common terms and questions to help you understand solar energy.

What is Net Metering?

A billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they send back to the grid. When your panels produce more than you use, the surplus flows to the grid and your utility gives you credits that offset future bills.

What is a kWh (Kilowatt-Hour)?

A unit of energy measurement. The average U.S. home uses about 10,500 kWh per year. Your monthly electric bill shows your kWh consumption, which is the starting point for sizing a solar system.

What is the difference between DC and AC?

DC (Direct Current) is the raw electricity produced by solar panels. AC (Alternating Current) is what your home appliances use. An inverter sits between the two, converting DC to AC in real time.

String Inverter vs. Microinverter?

A string inverter is a single box that converts power from all your panels at once. Microinverters are installed on each panel individually, so shade or debris on one panel won't reduce the output of the rest. Microinverters cost more but perform better on complex or partially shaded roofs.

What is LFP Battery Chemistry?

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) is a battery chemistry known for long cycle life, thermal stability, and safety. Most modern home batteries, including the Franklin WH aPower 2 and Enphase IQ Battery 5P, use LFP cells.

How Do I Size a Home Battery?

A good rule of thumb is to divide your annual kWh consumption by 365, then by 2. For example, a home using 11,000 kWh/year needs roughly 15 kWh of battery storage to cover nighttime usage. Your installer will factor in your utility rate structure and backup priorities.

What is Whole-Home Backup?

Whole-home backup means your battery system can power your entire house during a grid outage, not just a few selected circuits. Products like the Tesla Powerwall 3 and Franklin WH aPower 2 are designed for whole-home coverage.

Ready to Learn More?

Schedule a free consultation and let our experts answer all your solar questions.

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