Solar panels
Panels turn sunlight into DC electricity. Their total wattage helps determine how much solar energy the system can produce during the day.
Adroit Solar Education
Solar made simple.
You do not need to be an electrician to understand the system you are buying. Learn what the panels, inverter and batteries actually do — and what really determines the size of a home solar system.
The basic energy flow
☀Solar Panels
→
⚡Hybrid Inverter
→
⌂Your Home
🔋 Battery stores energy for later
↔ JPS can supply energy when needed
The basics
Four parts work together.
A solar system is not just a set of panels. Each major component has a different job, and the system works best when those parts are sized to match each other and the home.
Inverter
The inverter converts and manages electrical power so your home can use it. A hybrid inverter can also manage batteries and the utility grid.
Battery
A battery stores energy for later. Its capacity affects how long your selected loads can run when solar production is low or the grid is unavailable.
Your loads
Your appliances determine the demand the system must serve. Air conditioners, pumps, heaters and other large loads can have a major effect on design.
Understand the numbers
kW and kWh are not the same thing.
This is one of the most useful ideas to understand before comparing solar quotations.
kW = power right now
Kilowatts (kW) describe how much power is being produced or used at a moment in time. It helps answer: “How large is the load?” or “How much power can this equipment deliver?”
Example: A group of appliances using 4 kW at the same time requires the system to support roughly that level of instantaneous demand.
kWh = energy over time
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) describe how much energy is used or stored over a period of time. Your electricity consumption and battery capacity are commonly discussed in kWh.
Simple example: A 1 kW load running for 3 hours uses about 3 kWh of energy.
| Number | Think of it as | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Solar kW | Size of the solar array | Helps determine daytime generation potential. |
| Inverter kW | Power-handling capability | Helps determine how much load can be served at once. |
| Battery kWh | Stored energy | Helps determine how long loads can operate from battery. |
| Home kWh/day | Daily energy use | A major input when deciding how much solar and battery capacity you may need. |
Sizing a system
Your JPS bill is a starting point — not the whole design.
A monthly bill can help estimate how much energy a home is using, but a proper solar design also needs to understand the loads, backup goals, roof and electrical system.
Start with energy use
Use the monthly bill or actual kWh history to estimate average consumption.
Find daily demand
Convert monthly energy use into an approximate daily energy requirement.
Set the solar target
Choose enough panel capacity to cover the intended portion of daily energy use under realistic conditions.
Choose backup time
Decide which loads must stay on and for how long. That drives battery storage needs.
Check peak loads
Confirm the inverter and electrical system can handle appliances that may operate at the same time.
Adroit's online calculator provides a preliminary recommendation. Final equipment selection should be confirmed after a site and load assessment.
When the grid goes off
Solar panels alone do not automatically mean backup power.
What happens during a JPS outage depends on the type of inverter, battery storage and how the backup circuits are configured.
Grid-tied without backup
Usually shuts down during an outage.
Standard grid-tied solar systems generally stop exporting and supplying power when the utility grid is down. This protects utility workers and equipment from unintended energization.
- Can reduce daytime grid purchases when JPS is available.
- Does not automatically provide electricity during an outage.
- Backup requires equipment designed and wired for backup operation.
Hybrid + battery
Can keep selected loads running.
A properly configured hybrid inverter and battery system can isolate from the grid and supply designated circuits when JPS is unavailable.
- Battery provides stored energy after sunset or during an outage.
- Solar can help recharge batteries during daylight when conditions allow.
- Backup duration still depends on the loads you use.
A lower-cost way to start
You can go solar without a battery — and add storage later.
If your main goal is to reduce how much electricity you buy from JPS, you do not always need to purchase batteries on day one. A properly designed solar system can start with panels and a suitable inverter, helping you use solar energy during the day while keeping the initial investment lower.
Why start without a battery?
- Lower upfront cost. Batteries are a significant part of many solar budgets, so starting without them can make solar more affordable.
- Put more of the first budget into generation. Panels can begin producing energy and reducing daytime grid purchases right away.
- Expand in stages. A battery can be added later when your budget or backup needs change.
Good planning matters: If you expect to add batteries later, tell Adroit from the beginning so the inverter and overall system can be selected with compatible battery expansion in mind.
What changes without a battery?
Without battery storage, the home normally relies on JPS when solar production is not enough, such as at night or during periods of heavy use.
A standard grid-connected solar system also usually shuts down during a JPS outage for safety. If keeping selected appliances running during outages is important, battery backup should be part of the design.
Simple way to think about it:
Solar without battery = lower starting cost and daytime bill reduction.
Solar with battery = stored energy plus backup capability when properly configured.
Solar without battery = lower starting cost and daytime bill reduction.
Solar with battery = stored energy plus backup capability when properly configured.
Savings vary with your electricity use, system design and how much solar energy you use while it is being produced. Adroit can design a system that starts with solar now and leaves a sensible path for adding battery storage later.
Battery backup
A battery's kWh rating is not a promise of a fixed number of hours.
Backup time changes with the amount of power being used. Running only lights, a refrigerator and internet equipment is very different from running several air conditioners, a water heater and a pump.
What affects backup time?
- Total battery capacity.
- Usable depth of discharge and system settings.
- Conversion losses and inverter efficiency.
- How many appliances are operating.
- Whether solar is producing while the battery is supplying loads.
Think in energy, not battery count.
Two batteries from different product lines may not provide the same usable energy. Compare the actual kWh capacity, operating limits, supported power, warranty terms and compatibility with the inverter.
Useful question: “Which loads do I want to keep running, and for approximately how many hours?” That is much more useful than simply asking, “How many batteries do I need?”
Common misunderstandings
Five solar myths worth clearing up.
“More panels means longer night-time backup.”
Panels produce energy when sunlight is available. Battery capacity and the loads being used determine stored backup duration.
“A 10 kW inverter means a 10 kW solar array.”
Not necessarily. Inverter output rating and permitted PV input are related but different specifications.
“My JPS bill tells you everything needed for sizing.”
The bill is useful for energy consumption. It does not show all appliance loads, starting currents, roof conditions or electrical limitations.
“Solar panels stop working when it is cloudy.”
They still produce electricity, but usually less than under strong direct sunlight.
“Solar automatically makes the electricity bill zero.”
A well-sized system can reduce grid purchases, but fixed charges, night-time use and energy imported from the grid can still appear on the bill.
“Any battery can be connected to any inverter.”
Compatibility matters. Voltage, communication protocols, charging limits and manufacturer requirements must be checked.
Before you buy
Compare the design, not just the price.
A cheaper quotation can become expensive if important equipment, protections, mounting, wiring or installation work has been left out.
- Ask what problem the system is designed to solve. Lower monthly energy purchases, outage backup, or both?
- Confirm the exact panel, inverter and battery models. Do not compare quotations using only broad labels such as “10 kW system.”
- Ask about usable battery capacity. The nameplate kWh is only one part of the story.
- Ask what loads are intended for backup. Whole-house backup and essential-load backup are different designs.
- Check electrical protection. Proper AC/DC isolation, breakers, surge protection, grounding and cable sizing matter.
- Consider roof condition and shading. The best equipment cannot compensate for a badly shaded or unsuitable installation area.
- Understand monitoring and warranties. Know what the manufacturer covers and what information you will be able to see after installation.
- Make sure a final assessment is part of the process. The final system should reflect the actual property and loads.
Frequently asked questions
Questions homeowners often ask before going solar.
Will solar work when JPS goes off?+
It depends on the system design. A normal grid-tied system without backup usually shuts down during a grid outage for safety. A properly configured hybrid system with battery storage can keep selected circuits or loads running while the grid is down.
Can I install solar now and add a battery later?+
Yes. If your main goal is to reduce daytime grid purchases, you can start with solar panels and a suitable inverter without buying a battery immediately. That lowers the initial cost. If you plan to add battery storage later, the system should be designed from the start with a compatible inverter and expansion path. Without battery backup, a normal grid-connected system usually shuts down during a JPS outage for safety.
Can solar run my air conditioner?+
Yes, if the inverter, battery and solar array are sized for the air conditioner's running and starting demand along with the other loads you want to use. The answer depends on the actual equipment and how many appliances operate at the same time.
Does a bigger inverter mean I need more panels?+
Not automatically. The inverter handles power flow and sets limits on how much load can be supplied. Solar array size is mainly driven by energy use, available roof space and the inverter's allowed PV input range.
How many batteries do I need?+
Battery sizing depends on how much energy you want available during an outage, which appliances must stay on, how long you want backup to last and the usable capacity of the batteries. Two homes with the same JPS bill can need different amounts of battery storage.
Will solar make my JPS bill zero?+
Not necessarily. Solar can reduce the amount of energy you buy from the grid, but you may still have fixed charges and grid usage, especially at night or during periods of high demand. Results depend on system size and how you use electricity.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?+
Yes, but output is usually lower than in strong direct sunlight. Daily production also changes with cloud cover, shade, temperature, roof orientation, dirt and the season.
What is the difference between kW and kWh?+
kW measures power — how fast electricity is being used or produced at a moment in time. kWh measures energy over time. For example, a 1 kW appliance running for 3 hours uses about 3 kWh.
Why do I still need a site or load assessment after using the calculator?+
The calculator is a useful preliminary estimate. Final design also needs to consider your real appliance loads, breaker/service capacity, roof space, shading, cable routes, electrical condition and the exact equipment being installed.
Now estimate what your home may need.
Start with your monthly JPS bill. Adroit's calculator will give you a preliminary solar, battery and inverter recommendation, which can then be confirmed through an assessment.