Welcome to our first eddition of:
The Watt?! - Solar in plain English
Where we’ll explain all you need to know about solar. We make solar make sense![]()
Ever wondered what an inverter actually does? ![]()
First, let's meet the two "languages" of electricity...
DC (Direct Current) = Electricity that flows in one direction. This is the type of power that comes from solar panels and batteries.
AC (Alternating Current) = Electricity that changes direction many times every second. This is the type of power your TV, fridge, kettle, Wi-Fi, washing machine and most household appliances use.
Now here's the fun part...
Imagine your battery speaks French
(DC), but your fridge only understands English
(AC).
They can't communicate! ![]()
That's where the inverter comes in.
It's like a translator.
Battery (DC): "Bonjour! I have power!"
Fridge: "Sorry... I don't speak DC."
Inverter: "Don't worry, I'll translate!"
The inverter takes the DC electricity from your batteries or solar panels and converts it into AC electricity that your home can use.
Without an inverter, your battery has plenty of power—but your appliances simply don't understand it!
That's why the inverter is often called the brain or translator of a solar system. It makes sure your lights stay on, your coffee gets brewed, and your Wi-Fi keeps working—even during load shedding. ![]()
Catch a new post every Friday in “The Watt?!” Series.





