Sunlight hits your solar panels, producing DC electricity (direct current, like your car runs on, but a whole lot more volts). A component called an inverter converts the DC into AC (alternating current, what your home runs on) and it feeds into your breaker box to power your home. Think of voltage as pressure. The inverter sets the voltage coming from your solar system SLIGHTLY higher than the grid voltage, ensuring your home uses solar first, and the grid second. Excess solar energy is fed onto the grid, generating a credit on your monthly bill. Learn how solar energy works.