Solar Panels 101: How Do They Function And All That
The sun is a huge ball of unlimited energy.
And we already know that, right?
Well, what we do not know is that a tiny fraction of this energy can help light up millions of homes on the Earth. Unlike non-renewable sources of energy, solar energy is endless. Unless the sun ceases to exist, we can keep utilizing its immense power for all our day-to-day activities, like lighting, charging, cooking, and everything else there is. And there is so much scope for solar power in the US today. According to the data, solar energy made up only 2% of all kinds of energy generated in 2019. But this number is rising gradually. Right now, about 2500MW of solar is being developed (utility-scale), all thanks to the tax credits in solar power investments and other initiatives being taken by the government.
Colorado has about 63% utilities and 27% residential ongoing solar projects. The main reasons for such a low number of residential solar projects are unawareness and fear of the unknown. People are scared to get out of their comfort zones and try something new, even if it’s said to be a better choice. They are unaware of how solar functions, or how much it costs. Only if they can be made aware of these little things, the fear will be replaced by enthusiasm to try this effective and sustainable method to derive power. The entire world is taking on non-renewable sources of energy and replacing those with sustainable alternatives. Only if the people of Denver, Aurora, and other places in Colorado are made aware of the features, functions, and benefits of solar, they can prepare themselves for the much-needed change.
So here, we are ready to explain it all to you. Scroll on!
What is the basic concept of electricity generated from solar energy?
Every star, not only the Sun, but every single one of them, is a natural nuclear reactor. They release energy through nuclear reactions consistently. As we are talking about solar energy, the Sun too releases packets of energy as a byproduct of nuclear reactions on its surface. This energy travels millions of miles to the Earth in the form of photons and is enough to generate sufficient electricity for a year.
These photons, on hitting a solar cell knock the electrons from the atom, and the loose electrons flow through the circuit created by conductors to ultimately generate electricity. The Photovoltaic Solar Panels that we install on the roofs of residential and commercial buildings are made up of several such solar cells that help generate power. The rule of thumb is to deploy as many solar panels as possible to derive maximum energy. However, it is not always humanely possible to pack your roofs with numerous solar panels. A lot of factors, like available space, costs, and even aesthetics come into play. But the professionals are aware of how many panels are enough to generate electricity for a household. Hence, it is better to talk to an installation expert before you make a purchase.
How do solar panels work in your homes?
Unlike most of the US electrical power grid, the solar panels generate DC (Direct Current) electricity. The distinguishing feature of direct current is that the electrons flow unidirectionally in an electrical circuit. To understand this better, let’s consider a battery-powered lamp. The electrons move from the negative side of the battery to the positive side, thus powering the lamp in between. But in AC (Alternating Current), the electrons move to and fro inside the circuit repeatedly, as in a car’s engine. A significant portion of the US electricity grid is composed of AC circuits, as it is considered less expensive and more effective in transferring over long distances.
The question that’s arising in your mind is, how does solar DC electricity make its place then? We have the answer right here - with the help of solar inverters.
What is this solar inverter and how does it benefit us?
The solar inverter is like the brain of the entire solar power system. It helps convert the DC electricity into Alternating Current (AC), which is fed to a utility power grid or an off-grid solar power network. Not only that, but the inverter also minimizes power failures through ground fault protection, improves power point tracking, and optimizes energy production.
In the initial days of solar power systems, central inverters were the only available option. Also known as String inverters, these connected the solar panels with strings and linked them to a single, central inverter to convert the DC into AC electricity.
Obviously, photovoltaic technologies have evolved a lot in the last decade.
Now, you can get microinverters attached to each panel to optimize their output. One of the many benefits of microinverters is, even if a single panel gets obstructed in some way, say a tree branch, the other panels are unaffected and work just fine. It is said that the microinverters cause a 5-15% increase in the amount of electricity produced. These are thus recommended for most home solar projects. Further, most of the high-quality microinverters come with a straightaway 25-year warranty, unlike the string inverters that are available at a maximum of 8-12 years warranty. Although these can last up to 15 years, you may start experiencing problems due to maintenance and repair once the warranty period is over.
Some people complain about the slightly higher costs of microinverters, but if you think long-term, it saves you a lot of money and headache. Hence, it comes as no big surprise that this latest technology is recommended by most home solar panel installation experts these days.
You may also use solar optimizers to increase the amount of electricity to be converted.
What is a solar optimizer and how does it benefit us?
According to the IHS, the US is the largest market for inverters and solar optimizers in the world. The statistics reveal that it may witness a growth of 76% in the coming years, owing to a rise in the number of solar home and commercial projects.
But what ARE these solar optimizers? Wait, we will tell you.
The solar (or power) optimizers are attached at the modular level to optimize the energy produced by the array. During winter or storms, snow, leaves and other substances may fall on the module, thus hampering its performance by reducing efficiency. The power optimizers help each module perform at its peak and maximize the electricity generated. These are DC/DC converters that produce optimum voltage and current, allowing the array to generate more electricity. The solar optimizers also maximize point power tracking of inverters and get rid of module mismatches. In the simplest terms, they reduce the wastage of electricity caused by environmental disturbances and maintain the level of electricity production at all times, irrespective of seasonal and other external factors.
Other important features of a solar power system
Before purchasing solar panels and getting them installed in your home, you should know about the other features of the solar power system. Here goes:
Electrical Panel
Electricity from the inverters runs through the main service electrical panel into your homes, where it lights up your rooms, powers your appliances, and charges your gadgets. If the panels generate excess electricity, more than you need, it is carried to the utility grid, for which you get energy-saving credits. Sounds good enough?
Solar cables
The DC solar cables are insulated cables that interconnect the panels and other electrical components of the photovoltaic system. These are strong and UV-resistant and also show considerable resistance against chemicals and oil. The solar cables are made to survive extreme temperatures and variable weather conditions. Faulting high FR properties and non-combustibility, the solar cables can be installed anywhere in the property, as these are also environment-friendly.
Now, do you feel a bit relaxed and full of knowledge regarding solar power systems? Get a free energy audit before you decide to install solar panels in your home. But if you have further queries, you can always turn to us for help.