With abundant, year-round sun in the Islands, solar power is becoming an increasingly popular option for Hawaii homes. But if you’re not sure what photovoltaic means, you’re not alone. We're here to shed some light on solar energy.

Photovoltaic (PV) is simply the conversion of light into electricity. Photo means “light,” voltaic means “electric.” But how does it work?

1. When sunlight hits the PV panel (or module), the sun's energy is captured and converted to DC (or direct current) power. The more energy your home requires, the more panels you will need.

2. Your home runs on AC (or alternating current) power. The inverter is what converts the DC power from the panels to AC power for use in your home.

3. The inverter feeds into a spare breaker in your home's electrical panel, from which electrical items, such as your TV and refrigerator, draw power.

4. The electrical panel is supplemented by traditional electricity from "The Grid," or the large energy distribution network run by your local utility company.

5. Power drawn from the electrical panel is monitored by the utility meter. When more solar energy is produced than can be used, excess electricity is returned to the grid.

* If you were looking at your meter as this was happening, say during the peak of afternoon sun, you would actually see the meter spinning backward—literally lowering your electric bill before your eyes.  ­