Learn · 05
Where does your Solar Benefit come from?
Solar Slices projects use photovoltaic solar modules to convert sunlight into electricity. Generation changes through the day and through the year, based on available sunlight and operating conditions.
From sunlight to measured generation
Sunlight
Solar irradiation reaches the panels
Solar modules
Photovoltaic cells convert light to electricity
DC electricity
Direct current, as produced by the panels
Inverter
Converts DC into usable AC electricity
AC electricity
The form the grid and buildings use
Meter & monitoring
Government-approved meter records output
Project generation data
The figure your benefit is calculated from
Why this matters to you
Your Solar Credit isn't a number someone picks. It traces back to a physical meter reading on a real plant. That reading passes through before any credit is calculated.
If monitoring data is missing for a period, the system flags it for review rather than inventing a figure.
kW and kWh — the one bit of jargon worth knowing
These two get confused constantly. The difference is simple.
kW — capacity
The size or rated power of a solar system. Think of it as how wide the tap is.
2 kW equivalent Solar Benefit Capacity
kWh — energy
The electricity actually generated over time. Think of it as the water that actually flows.
250 kWh generated during a month
A wide tap left barely open delivers little water. In the same way, capacity alone doesn't determine your benefit — actual generation does. That's why Solar Slices sizes your subscription from your electricity bill, not from kW.
What affects how much a solar project generates
Sunlight
More available solar irradiation generally means more generation.
Weather
Cloudy or rainy periods can reduce generation considerably.
Temperature
Module performance varies with temperature — very hot days aren't always best.
Cleanliness
Dust and soiling on panels reduce output until they're cleaned.
Equipment availability
Maintenance or an outage can temporarily reduce production.
Season
Generation naturally rises and falls across the year.
Expect variation, not a fixed number. A solar plant does not produce exactly the same units every day or every month. Your Solar Credits will move up and down with it.