What are PV solar panels?

What do we mean by PV solar panels? The word itself helps to explain how photovoltaic (PV) or solar electric technologies work. First used in about 1890, the word has two parts: photo, a stem derived from the Greek phos, which means light, and volt, a measurement unit named for Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity. So, photovoltaics could literally be translated as light-electricity. And that’s just what photovoltaic materials and devices do; they convert light energy to electricity, as Edmond Becquerel and others discovered in the 18th Century.

When certain semiconducting materials, such as certain kinds of silicon, are exposed to sunlight, they release small amounts of electricity. This process is known as the photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect refers to the emission, or ejection, of electrons from the surface of a metal in response to light. It is the basic physical process in which a solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) cell converts sunlight to electricity.

Sunlight is made up of photons, or particles of solar energy. Photons contain various amounts of energy, corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When photons strike a PV cell, they may be reflected or absorbed, or they may pass right through. Only the absorbed photons generate electricity. When this happens, the energy of the photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the PV cell (which is actually a semiconductor).

With its newfound energy, the electron escapes from its normal position in an atom of the semiconductor material and becomes part of the current in an electrical circuit. By leaving its position, the electron causes a hole to form. Special electrical properties of the PV cell—a built-in electric field—provide the voltage needed to drive the current through an external load (such as a light bulb).

A PV system is made up of different components. These include PV modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV panels; one or more batteries; a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system; an inverter for a utility-grid-connected system and when alternating current (ac) rather than direct current (dc) is required; wiring; and mounting hardware or a framework.

There are four main types of solar energy technologies:
1. Photovoltaic (PV) systems, which convert sunlight directly to electricity by means of PV cells made of semiconductor materials.
2. Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems, which concentrate the sun’s energy using reflective devices such as troughs or mirror panels to produce heat that is then used to generate electricity.
3. Solar water heating systems, which contain a solar collector that faces the sun and either heats water directly or heats a “working fluid” that, in turn, is used to heat water.
4. Transpired solar collectors, or “solar walls,” which use solar energy to preheat ventilation air for a building.

A PV system that is designed, installed, and maintained well will operate for more than 20 years. The basic PV module (interconnected, enclosed panel of PV cells) has no moving parts and can last more than 30 years. The best way to ensure and extend the life and effectiveness of your PV system is by having it installed and maintained properly.

Experience has shown that most problems occur because of poor or sloppy system installation. Failed connections, insufficient wire size, components not rated for dc application, and so on, are the main culprits. The next most common cause of problems is the failure of the electronic parts in the balance of systems (BOS): the controller, inverter, and protection components. Batteries fail quickly if they’re used outside their operating specification. For most applications (uses), batteries should be fully recharged shortly after use. In many PV systems, batteries are discharged AND recharged slowly, perhaps over a period of days or weeks. Some batteries quickly fail under these conditions. Be sure the batteries specified for your system are appropriate for the application.

A 10% efficient PV system in most areas of the United States will generate about 180 kilowatt-hours per square meter. A PV system rated at 1 kilowatt will produce about 1800 kilowatt-hours a year. Most PV panels are warranted to last 20 years or more (perhaps as many as 30 years) and to degrade (lose efficiency) at a rate of less than 1% per year. Under these conditions, a PV system could generate close to 36,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity over 20 years and close to 54,000 kilowatt-hours over 30 years. This means that a PV system generates more than $10,000 worth of electricity over 30 years.

What does energy conversion efficiency mean?

Energy conversion efficiency is an expression of the amount of energy produced in proportion to the amount of energy consumed, or available to a device. The sun produces a lot of energy in a wide light spectrum, but we have so far learned to capture only small portions of that spectrum and convert them to electricity using photovoltaics. So, today’s commercial PV systems are about 7% to 17% efficient, which might seem low. And many PV systems degrade a little bit (lose efficiency) each year upon prolonged exposure to sunlight. For comparison, a typical fossil fuel generator has an efficiency of about 28%.

We’re working on ways to convert more of the energy in sunlight to usable energy and increase the efficiency of PV systems, however. Some experimental PV cells now convert nearly 40% of the energy in light to electricity. In solar thermal systems (like solar water-heating roof panels), efficiency goes down as the solar heat is converted to a transfer medium such as water. Also, some of the heat radiates away from the system before it can be used.

How would you like to reduce your dependency on fossil fuels? How would you like to decrease your reliance on the power companies and cut the size of your bill each month? If you answered yes to both of these questions switching to solar power will greatly benefit you. PV systems make advantage of the suns rays and convert them into usable source of energy. The sun offers a renewable, and barring any unforeseen events, a timeless source of energy. Solar power is both financially and environmentally friendly. By using solar power one can save money, and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that are released through the burning of fossil fuel and natural gas for power. 

When considering electrical bills, switching to solar power has become the oblivious answer for many people and their households. Electrical bills make up a large portion of the household budget, and during the winter months they account for half of the power bills spent in a home. A solar power system is the one way to reduce or even eliminate your electrical bills.

Having your home run on solar power is easy to do, and many resources make installation an easy to do it yourself process. First consider a budget for your solar power spending; this can be based off of how much of your home you will power to solar energy, or the amount of kilowatt-hours your home uses. Once you purchase the basic parts: solar panels, inverter, battery, wires, etc, installation is easy. 

The solar panels which will be ground or roof mounted will provide the DC current which will be taken by the inverter and transformed into AC current which will be used to power your home. One key advantage of solar power that has attracted many is its longevity. Besides the sun providing a constant source of energy, solar panels are extremely durable. Solar panels can function for many decades before showing signs of failures, so if you are on a tight budget you can purchase used solar panels worry free. Solar power is an obvious answer to reducing dependency on fossil fuels and thus power companies. The process is inexpensive, and easy for a person to do themselves.   

SMALL SCALE PV SOLAR SYSTEMS

With a budding do-it-yourself (DIY) alternative power industry, and the acceptance of environmentally friendly “green energy” by the general public, some enthusiasts have progressed to building their own PV solar systems for their houses.

Typically, a DIY energy system is comprised of inexpensive and/or high efficiency systems (eg. systems with solar tracking) to manufacture power.  Because of this, the DIY systems are usually cheaper than their commercial counterparts.

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More likely than not, the system is connected to the local utility power grid to repay some of the initial investment via net metering.  These DIY systems typically generate a power amount of 2kW or less and are commonly utilized in emerging countries to power residences and small businesses.

Mounting Systems

PV systems are built into arrays onto some type of mounting system.  When solar parks are utilized, a large rack is mounted on the ground, and the modules are mounted on the rack.  For other types of buildings, racks have been customized to accommodate flat roofs, racks and binds.

Trackers

A solar tracker can significantly enhance the power production output of a system by regulating and improving its performance.   However, it is only practical to install trackers for non-concentrating applications in direct sunlight locations.  In diffuse light (eg. under cloud or fog), tracking provides no value.  Moreover, a tracker is absolutely necessary for concentrated photovoltaic systems.

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System Performance

Solar tracking allows PV arrays to track the sun throughout the day to greatly improve the system’s energy collection.   However, the addition of tracking devices increases the total cost of the system and also requires consistent maintenance.

It is more common for PV arrays to have fixed mounts that tilt the array towards the solar source.  This tilt angle can be recalibrated depending on the season, but if it is fixed, then it should be set for optimal output during the peak electrical demand portion.

In larger PV systems, the energy collected by using a solar tracker outweighs the added cost and maintenance.  Solar trackers can increase a system’s efficiency by 30% or more.  PV arrays that exceed one megawatt of energy output typically use solar trackers.

Also, when building a small scale PV system, it is prudent to remember that photovoltaic cells’ electrical output is extremely sensitive to shade.  If even a small portion of a cell, module, or array is shaded (with the remainder in sunlight), the system’s output dramatically decreases due to an internal “short-circuiting” (ie. the electrons reversing course because of the shaded portion of the p-n junction).  Thus it is very important not to install a PV array that could be shaded by trees, building features, or other obstacles.

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An uncertain global economy is causing fluctuating energy prices, is it time to claim energy independence through solar technology or is it an unnecessary cost during the economic downturn?

A barrel of oil, which reached an all time high of $147 in mid 2008, is now worth $73 a drop of more than half, although it’s a dramatic drop it has been mirrored in many other fuels. However the average household energy bill, which increased by up to one third in the summer hike, is yet to see the benefit of the falling market. Ed Mayo (2009), chief executive of Consumer Focus, confirms, ‘Energy companies all put their prices up arguing that it was down to rising cost of oil and gas, but now that is reversed, we are seeing delay, blather and procrastination’.

This situation is particularly infuriating when placed in the context of a global recession. As consumer goods become more expensive and household incomes are slashed, cheaper energy could be a lifeline for families and businesses alike and would facilitate a speedier recovery from the downturn. Collusion between the ‘big six’ energy companies has also been questioned, with providers increasing costs at the same time and now delaying cuts together to ensure maximum profits.

With condemnation coming from all directions including the Prime Minister’s office and so little action it is clear that the industry regulators are ineffectual and the companies are free to hold the consumer to ransom.

It is easy to become frustrated when reading this information and it’s not hard to see why more and more people are taking control of their own energy needs by installing PV solar power technology.

                Solar power isn’t a new technology, in fact it dates back to ancient times when the Greeks and the Chinese would design buildings that faced towards the south to provide optimum heat and light, however active harnessing of solar energy had its first significant application as a back-up power supply to the Vanguard I satellite in 1958 becoming a prototype for today’s residential PV solar panels. Throughout the 1960s the high cost of solar cells meant that terrestrial use was limited, however in the 1970s price levels made PV technology a feasible option for remote areas without grid access such as oil rigs and telecom stations. The rising cost of fuel continued to drive the enhancement of the technology until the early 1980s when a falling oil price led to a reduction in funding, shifting leadership in the sector from the US to Germany and Japan.

                Now that energy efficiency has been placed high on the agenda of many national governments, all sorts of initiatives are available for households and businesses willing to generate their own power. Across Europe many countries have long established ‘Feed-in’ tariffs allowing individuals to sell their surplus energy back to the grid, encouraging energy sustainability through financial incentives, dispelling one of the major drawbacks of solar, the installation cost.

                The second drawback with this energy is that it requires greater efficiency on the part of individuals; in order to make the most out of solar power many recognise that by fitting energy saving light bulbs, using energy efficient appliances and turning electronic devices off standby can help to generate more excess power and thus more money, as William Lord (2009), owner of the world famous ‘Maine Solar House’ explains, ‘Your lifestyle need not be compromised – just made more efficient’.

                The idea of a major shift to solar technologies has always been seen as a ‘pie in the sky’ futuristic idea, and it is true that the technologies on offer today could not supply the major heavy industries, however by adopting more efficient technologies smaller businesses and households could be running on solar power, not only cutting their high-priced energy overheads but also making money selling the excess.

Please visit Greenhouse Organisation for all your energy saving light bulbs

Over using Air Conditioning is not that great especially living in a country like Australia.

With Rolling blackouts in our cities are now more a common occurrence,when in a summer afternoon for example you are back from work and everyone all wants electricity at once.

In addition the Potent greenhouse gas used in a standard air-conditioner are more potent than carbon dioxide.Evenmore distressing is when we dispose of our air-conditioner there is no safe method.

That is why making a safe Solar Powered Air Conditioner is so important.

The idea is simple and clever!

Imagine an electrical compressor in a conventional air-conditioner with a solar powered air conditioner.

With No electricity , the solar power is providing the form of heat from solar water heater panels.

Imagine a system that provides Hot water All year round and heat in winter.

Ready to be installed and cheap to manufacture this will mean jobs and great export opportunities for Australia.

Using more solar powered appliances is a great way to get our electricity bill down and suits most places on this planet that are dry and hot.

Large compressors in Air conditioners require electricity.

A Solar Powered Air Conditioner replaces a large compressor with a refrigerant expander in the form of a thermal heat exchanger.

Effect is the same in refrigerant pressure but without the use of electricity to operate the compressor.Savings of up to 50% on energy bills.

The system still needs electricity to operate electrical components; however, large savings can be made by reducing the size of the compressor and expanding the gas instead.

With the addition of a solar thermal panel mounted next to the condenser, the systems visually look the same.

PV solar power systems require direct solar radiation but our Solar Powered Air conditioner relies on ambient temperature and does not have to be in direct sunlight!

Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER is the most accurate measurement of air-conditioning performance.

It is simply a ratio of the maximum thermal energy (cooling), divided by the maximum electrical energy (electricity), and required to operate the system.The average EER for solar thermal systems is 3.88 compared with the full power continuous output EER of conventional systems of around 2.4.

Relief to the electricity grid at peak usage times and savings in electricity provide a financial benefit.

As the system is economical to run it can be operated 24hrs per day.

This eliminates the inefficient operation of systems set to maximum power to quickly cool a home which has been heated all day.This also eliminates the associated peak in the electricity demand when consumers arrive home from work.

How about you?

Would you give a solar-powered air-conditioner a go?

Solar Powered Air Conditioner.

Make sense now to secure a solar powered air conditioner.

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