Building Solar Panels. D.I.Y

How do solar power systems for your house both on and off grid work mechanically?

Here is how I understand it so far:

On Grid:
-the sun hits the solar cells
-the solar cells produce energy from the sun
-the energy from the solar cells is then sent to the grid
-the electric company and fed pay you for surplus energy that you create

Off Grid:
-the sun hits the solar cells
-the solar cells produce energy from the sun
-the energy from the solar cells is then sent to batteries slowly
-the built up energy from the batteries is then sent to an inverter that converts the energy to be compatible to your house
-the energy from the inverter is then sent to your appliances

1. For “on grid” can you hook it directly from the solar cell panels to the grid or do you need a inverter or something?

2. How much are inverters and are there different kinds?

3. What kind, how much are, and how many batteries do you need for “off grid”?

4. How do the solar cells create energy?

5. Can you buy lights and appliances and so forth that will hook directly to the solar cell panels without an inverter that are already set to take that type of energy? or directly from batteries?

6. Are solar panels basically just a bunch of solar cells hooked together?

p.s. if I am wrong please correct me, if you know of resources that teach this particularly with images that would be great.

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