DC (Direct Current)

Direct current (DC) is electrical current that flows in one constant direction. It is the type of electricity produced by solar panels and stored in batteries.

When sunlight hits a photovoltaic cell, the energy knocks electrons loose, creating a flow of current in a single direction — that’s DC electricity. However, your home’s electrical system and the utility grid operate on alternating current (AC), so the DC power from your solar panels must be converted to AC by an inverter before it can be used. If your solar system includes battery storage, the batteries store energy as DC and then convert it back to AC when discharging to power your home. DC electricity is also used in many modern electronics — your phone charger, laptop, and LED lights all convert AC back to DC internally. Understanding the DC-to-AC relationship helps homeowners appreciate why the inverter is such a critical (and valuable) component of any solar installation.