To convert energy from the sun's rays into electric power that can be used by your home, you will need a solar array consisting of multiple solar modules which should face due south. You will also need an inverter to convert this DC electricity into AC electricity, which can then be used to power your home's lighting and appliances, or sold back to the electric utility. The inverter will be about the size of a large micro-wave oven, and can be mounted in your utility room or next to your electric meter if protected from the weather.
If you want your solar system to provide power during a power outage or in areas where there are no utility lines, your system will require a slightly different inverter which includes battery charging capability, a separate solar charge controller, and a battery bank.
Many battery-based solar power systems also include a back-up generator to re-charge the battery bank during periods of bad weather or heavy power requirements. The batteries are fairly heavy and should be 
located on a concrete floor in your utility room or garage, and the area should be protected from freezing. For a home that is still on-grid, you will need a space about the size of a bathroom for the battery bank, with the walls and ceiling constructed of fire-rated drywall. A totally off-grid home will require a battery room 2 to 3 times this size.
Since potentially explosive battery gasses are involved and must be properly controlled, we recommend discussing your specific application with us before attempting to construct a battery room on your own.
A complete description of these systems and their components can be found in Jeff Yago’s article "A Solar Primer: How it Works, How it’s Made, What it Costs”
Solar power systems fall into three major design categories
Grid Tie – A system tied into the existing power grid supply. These systems can provide a portion or all of the necessary power. Some are even designed to “sell” energy back to the grid.
Off-Grid – A system designed to provide all necessary power for a structure or location.
Specialty - Many applications fall into this category. A temporary need such as a road sign, a portable application or an exterior area spotlight are all examples.
