How Solar Panels Affect Your Electrical System

A Homeowner’s Guide from TJW Electrical

Solar panels are an increasingly popular choice for homeowners looking to reduce their electricity bills and lower their environmental impact. But while solar power offers some amazing benefits, it also brings important changes to your home's electrical system that shouldn’t be overlooked.

At TJW Electrical, we’re committed to helping homeowners like you understand how solar energy works—and how to integrate it safely and efficiently. Here's what you need to know.

1. Solar Panels Become a New Power Source

Traditionally, your home receives electricity from the utility grid. With solar panels installed, your home now has two power sources—the grid and your solar panels. During the day, your solar system generates electricity from the sun, powering your home directly. If your panels produce more power than you need, that extra energy can be stored in a battery system or sent back to the grid (if net metering is available in your area).

TJW Electrical Tip: Your system needs the right configuration to safely manage both sources. Our team can ensure your setup complies with local regulations and safety standards.

2. Inverters Are Essential

Since solar panels generate direct current (DC) power, and your home uses alternating current (AC), an inverter is required to convert the power into a usable form. Depending on your system, this could be a central inverter or multiple microinverters attached to each panel.

TJW Electrical Note: The quality and placement of your inverter can affect the efficiency of your solar system. We install and configure inverters for optimal performance and safety.

3. Your Electric Meter & Bill Will Change

With solar, your energy usage flows both ways—into your home and back out to the grid. This means your electric meter must be upgraded to a smart meter to track energy going in both directions. As a result, you could see a major reduction in your monthly utility bill.

TJW Electrical Insight: We help coordinate the necessary meter upgrades and ensure everything is installed according to utility provider requirements.

4. Switchboard Upgrades Might Be Needed

Many older homes simply aren’t equipped to handle the additional load or wiring required for solar. In some cases, we may need to upgrade your switch board to make it solar-ready and future-proof for other electrical upgrades—like EV chargers or home batteries.

TJW Electrical Service: We offer switchboard upgrades as part of our solar prep services to ensure your entire electrical system is compliant, safe, and built to last.

5. You’ll Still Rely on Grid Power

Unless you’re investing in a full off-grid battery solution, you’ll still need the utility grid to power your home at night or during cloudy days. Your system must be designed to seamlessly switch between solar power and grid power.

TJW Electrical Reminder: Most solar systems do not work during a power outage unless you also install a battery or specialized inverter. We can walk you through your options if backup power is important to you.

6. Professional Integration is Crucial

Installing solar panels isn't just a roofing job—it's a complex electrical upgrade. A licensed electrician is essential to ensure that your solar system integrates safely with your home’s wiring, switchboard, and local utility requirements.

Why Choose TJW Electrical?

We work closely with homeowners, utilities and suppliers make sure your system is installed right the first time. No shortcuts. No surprises. Just clean, reliable energy that you can count on.

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Is Your Home Solar-Ready?

Before you invest in solar, it’s important to evaluate your current electrical system. At TJW Electrical, we offer inspections, switchboard upgrades, and electrical system integrations for solar-powered homes across the region.

Ready to go solar—or not sure where to start?

Contact TJW Electrical today for a consultation. We’ll assess your home’s electrical system, discuss your solar options, and help you make an informed, confident decision.