{Many people|A lot of people|Many} {find this process confusing and|are confused by this process and have|find the process confusing and} {many misconceptions about|there are many misconceptions about|numerous misconceptions regarding} solar energy. This article will {provide|give} {an overview of solar energy|the basics of solar power|information on solar power} {and|as well as} {explain how it works|describe how it functions|provide an explanation of how it works} for {customers|consumers|the customer}.
Let’s {begin with the basics|start with the fundamentals|begin by introducing the basics} of solar energy {production and|production , and|generation and} then {move on|proceed|we will move} to the {details|specifics|intricacies} {of|that comprise|about} {the|how to use the|what is known as the} Photovoltaic system.
A Solar PV System: The Essentials
{Solar renewable energy systems|Renewable energy from solar|Systems for solar renewable power} {can|could|may} {be|comprise} {any combination of solar panels|the combination of any solar panel|an array of panels} {and|as well as} the {hardware required to allow|equipment required to let|necessary hardware to permit} the {energy flow through them|flow of energy through them|flow of energy}. Inverters are also {available|offered|readily available}.
They {can use|may use|can employ} {string inverters or microinverters depending|microinverters or string inverters based|microinverters or string-inverters, depending} on the {system, but|particular system, however|specific system, but} the {fundamental makeup|basic structure|foundational structure} {of all PV systems|for all PV system|that all PV units share} is {the exact|the|exactly the} same.
What does solar energy do in a PV system?
{Solar panels convert photons|Photons from solar panels are converted by the panel|The solar panel converts photons} (light particles){, into| and convert them into| to generate} electricity. This is {known as the photovoltaic process|called the photovoltaic procedure|also known as photovoltaic}.
Photovoltaic (PV){, when| is when| When} {a photon strikes a device|the photon hits a device|an incidental photon hits a material} {that converts energy to|which converts energy into|that converts energy into} {local electrons, the|locally charged electrons. The|local electrons. In this process, the} {photon’s energy|energy of the photon} {is transferred to|gets transferred into|can be transferred onto} the {material|substance}. {These excited electrons produce|The excited electrons create|The excited electrons generate} {an electric current|the electric charge|electricity}.
The solar cells {within|inside|in} the panels {produce|generate} {direct current electricity|directly current electric power|direct current power} (DC){, which| that| which} is {usually|typically|often} {converted by an inverter to|transformed by an inverter into|transformed by an inverter} {alternating current|AC} {electricity|electric power|electrical power} (AC). {It can then be sent|The electricity is then sent|It is then transmitted} {back to an electric|into an electrical|through an electric} grid{ that operates|, which operates| operating} {with|using|by using} AC {electricity|electricity}.
This is the {detailed|complete|full} explanation. The three {main|major|primary} {steps that make up|steps involved in|elements that comprise} the {operation of solar panels|solar panel’s operation} {are|include}:
- The solar cells {in|of|inside} solar {panels absorb sunlight|panels absorb light|panel absorb sun’s rays}{,|} which {causes electricity to|allows electricity to|triggers electricity} flow.
- {An inverter converts|Inverters convert} DC {electricity into|power into|electric power to} AC {electricity|electricity}.
- {This electricity is used for|The electricity used is for|This electricity is used to meet} current energy {needs in|requirements in|requirements at} the {customer’s home|home of the customer}. {Any excess electricity that|Any surplus electricity that|The excess electricity} {the customer does not use|is not used by the customer|the consumer does not utilize} is {exported|sold|sent} to{ a|} grid.
What happens to the energy a PV system produces?
Grid-connected solar {installations are the norm|panels are the norm|installations are common} for {most solar customers|the majority of solar users|the majority of solar consumers} in America. Their {home is connected with|homes are connected to|home is connected to} the {electric grid|grid of electricity}. This {allows them to consume|lets them consume|allows them to use} more {energy than their solar installations|energy than the solar panels|power than their solar installations} {are producing, such as|produce, for instance|generate, like} {during a rainy or night|in the event of a night or rainy day|when it is rainy or dark}.
{This also means that|It also means that|Also,} {if their PV system produces|the PV system they are using produces|when their PV system generates} {more energy than|greater energy that|excess energy over what} they {need|require|actually need}{, the excess energy can| this energy could| and they have excess energy, it can} be {sent back to|returned to|used back on} the grid {to be used|to be utilized|for use} by {others|other people|other users}.
Net Metering
Net metering is {a policy|a method|an option} {that compensates|which compensates|that pays} customers {for excess energy so|for energy usage that is excessive so|who consume excess energy so that} they {can offset future|can offset any future|are able to offset future} {electricity costs from|electric costs that are incurred by|energy costs by removing them from} the grid. It is {common|typical|widely used} {in|across|throughout} the U.S.
{The net metering system|Net metering} {has been a major factor|is a key factor|has been a major element} in {solar energy’s cost-effectiveness|the efficiency of solar energy’s costs|solar energy’s efficiency and cost}. We are {starting to see|beginning to see|seeing} changes in {the way|the manner that|how} {utility companies implement|utilities implement|utility companies use} net-metering {across the country|across the nation|throughout the country}. {Many of these changes reduce|A lot of these changes decrease|These changes can reduce} the value solar {customers|users|consumers} {get from their solar installations|receive from their solar installations|can get from their solar panels}.
Feed-in Tariffs
Feed-in tariffs {can be used|are a way|may be used} to {compensate solar customers|pay solar customers back|reimburse solar customers} for {electricity they send|the electricity they supply|electricity they transmit} to the grid {from certain|from specific|in certain} {areas|regions|locations}.
What are the parts of a photovoltaic system?
Two {basic types of|types of basic|fundamental types of} components {make up a simple|comprise a basic|form a simple} PV system:
Solar Modules{: These modules| They| The modules} {are made up of|comprise|consist of} solar cells{ that convert sunlight| which convert light|, which transform sunlight} {to|into} electricity.
Inverter(s){, also known| Also known| which is also referred to} as an inverter{, converts| converts| transforms} DC current {into|to} AC current. {It can also perform|In addition, it can perform other|It also has} {functions that benefit|tasks that are beneficial to|functions that help} the {electricity grid|grid of electricity|electric grid} (see {article on smart-inverters,|the article on smart-inverters|this article about smart-inverters} {which are required|which are mandatory|that are mandatory} {in|to be installed in|for} California).
BOS Components
It is {common|typical|commonplace} {to refer to all|for people to use all|that we refer to the entire} {components|the components|parts} {of|in|that make up} the PV system{,|} {other than the|apart from the|aside from} modules, as {balance|the balance} of {system components|the system component|components} (BOS). BOS components{ can|| may} {include inverters and disconnects|comprise disconnects and inverters|include disconnects and inverters} {as well as racking and|and racking as well as|along with racking and} wiring. This is {a very|a|an extremely} {basic overview of what parts|simple overview of the components that|fundamental overview of the parts that} {make up|comprise|constitute} {a solar system|the solar system|the solar system,} and how they {work together|function|interact}.
How does solar PV system efficiency affect?
It is {important to realize|crucial to understand|essential to recognize} that solar energy {does not|cannot|can’t} {produce electricity at|generate electricity with} 100{%| percent| 100%} efficiency. {Environmental factors including|The environmental factors, such as|Environmental factors like} {soiling, shading|shading, soiling} and {temperature, as well as|temperature, in addition to|temperatures, along with} {electrical component losses,|the loss of electrical components|electrical component losses} {can all have an impact|all can have an effect|are all factors that can impact} on the {efficiency|effectiveness} {of a PV system|of a PV system|of a PV installation}. {Some examples of loss|Examples of losses|A few examples of loss} {are as follows|include}:
Temperature: The {efficiency|effectiveness} of solar panels {varies according|is influenced by|differs according} {to their temperature|the temperature|to the temperatures they are}. {Performance can be|The performance of solar panels can be|Performance is} affected by {high temperatures|temperatures that are high|extreme temperatures}.
Soiling{: A layer of material| The layer of material| A layer of substance} that {covers PV panels can|is placed over PV panels could|covers PV panels may} {block|hinder|stop} {sunlight from reaching|the sunlight’s path to|sun’s rays from getting to the} solar cells{ and reduce|, and decrease} the {power generated|amount of power produced}. The amount of {power lost due to|power lost because of|energy lost due to} soiling {can vary depending|can differ based|will vary based} on {how often|the frequency at which} {the panel is|panels are|it is} cleaned {and|as well as} the {type of soiling|kind of soil} (such {snow or dust|dust or snow}).
{Power output is reduced by|The power output can be reduced due to|The output of power is diminished by} {soiling PV modules, such|the accumulation of dirt on PV modules, such|dusting PV modules, for example} as dust.
Shading {refers to the blocking|is the blockage|refers to the obstruction} of sunlight by {trees, buildings|buildings, trees}{, terrain and other objects| or other terrains and objects| as well as other obstacles}. {Variable effects of shading can|The effects of shading may|Different effects of shading could} {have a significant impact on|affect|be significant to} {the solar system’s power output|your solar panel’s output|energy output of the solar system}. This article{ and the| as well as the other|, as well as the} section {in|of} our {PV system losses series|series on PV system losses} {provide great information about|offer valuable information on|give valuable information on} shading.
{Connectivity and wiring|Wiring and connectivity|Connections and wiring}{: A solar installation’s| The| The solar panel’s} electrical connections {can cause|can create|may cause} resistance, which {results in|can result in|leads to} energy {losses up to|loss of up to|losses of as much as} {a few percent|just a small percentage|only a fraction of a percent}.
{Mismatch: Modules|Modules that are|Modules} {of the same type|similar to each other|identical to one another} {may|might|could} {have slightly different electrical characteristics|differ in electrical characteristics|have slightly different electrical properties} {due to manufacturing variations|due to variations in manufacturing|because of manufacturing differences}. This {can cause performance problems|could cause performance issues|can lead to performance issues}.
Inverter Efficiency: {An inverter converts|Inverters convert} DC {to AC current|current into AC} {at a rate of 96-97|with a speed of 96-97|at a rate of between 96 and 97}{%| percent}. {When|If} {the|it is the case that|you have a} DC {input power|output power|inverter’s input} is {high|large}{, inverters have| Inverters operate at| inverters perform at} {a higher|greater|an increased} efficiency. {When|If} the {input power is lower|power input is lower|input power is less} than the {rated power|power rating|power rated}{, the conversion efficiency suffers| and the conversion efficiency decreases| then the efficiency of conversion suffers}.
{Age: Solar panels|The age of solar panels: They|Older: The solar panel} {produce|generate|create} less energy {as they age|as they get older|when they get older}. The {decrease in performance|performance decrease|decline in efficiency} {is usually around|typically is around|generally is about} 0.5{% per annum| percent per year| percent per annum}.
Residential Photovoltaic PV Systems Design
{Designing Photovoltaic systems can be|The design of Photovoltaic systems is|Designing photovoltaic systems can be} {very difficult because|extremely difficult due to the fact that|challenging because} {they are expensive and|they’re expensive and their|they’re costly and} {energy production is sensitive to|the production of energy is influenced by|energy production is dependent on} physical conditions.
Ground-mounted PV systems {allow for|permit|can allow} the {selection of the best|choice of the most suitable|option of choosing the ideal} {tilt angle and orientation|angles and tilts|position and angle}. {Physical size is often|The physical size is usually|Physical size is typically} the only {limit|limitation}.
{Residential PV systems are|The residential PV system is|Solar panels for residential use are} {typically|usually|generally} {mounted on roofs, so|installed on roofs, which means|placed on roofs, and} the panels {might|may} not be {in the best|the ideal|in the right} {orientation or|position or at the right|direction or} angle. These {limitations are not|aren’t|issues are not} {the only ones|all that are there|just the ones that exist}. The {roof’s size is also|size of the roof is} fixed. {Therefore, many parameters can|Thus, many parameters can|So, many parameters could} be {set at the beginning|set in the beginning|established at the start of the project}.
These design {constraints or parameters|parameters or constraints|limitations or parameters} {will have an impact on|can have an impact on|will impact} the following{:| aspects:}
- Annual energy production (AEP).
- The budget{ available|| that is available} {for installation|to install}
- {Limitations specific to location|Specific limitations to the location|Location-specific limitations}{: Roof| such as roof| The roof’s} {size, tilt,|dimensions, size, and tilt|dimension, angle,} {orientation|and orientation}
{First, decide|The first step is to decide|Before you do that, determine} {if the PV system will|whether the PV system will|whether the PV system is going to} {connect to the electric|be connected to the|connect to the} grid.
The load pattern {must|has to|needs to} be {assessed to determine the|analyzed to determine the|evaluated to determine} {power and energy requirements|energy and power requirements|power and energy needs}. {Once these requirements are established|When these requirements have been established|Once the requirements are determined}{, it is| then it is| it is then} possible to {choose the right|select the appropriate|choose the best} {PV cell technology|solar cell|technique for PV cells}. The PV array {can|will|could} {then be sized to provide|be then sized to supply|be designed to deliver} the {required power|power required}.
The {configuration|design} {of|for} the solar PV{ systems| system|} array {must also be compatible|should also be in line|must be compatible} with the specifications {for|of} the inverter. The entire {design process|process of designing} is {reviewed|described|explained} in this chapter {using|with} {free design tools|the free tools for design|online design software}. {These results are|The results are then} {discussed|reviewed|examined} and presented.
Grid-Connected Systems or Stand-Alone System
There are two{ main|| primary} {types|kinds} {of residential PV systems|that residential solar PV system|for residential PV}: {grid-connected and stand-alone|stand-alone and grid-connected}.
{When the house|If the home|If the house} is connected {with the low-voltage|to the low-voltage|to the low voltage} (LV){,|} utility network{, a PV system| PV systems} {can be connected|is able to be connected|is possible to connect}. The {surplus energy can then|excess energy will|surplus energy could} be {dumped|pumped|released} into the power {network|grid|system}.
{You can|It is possible to} {connect the PV system|attach the solar system|join the PV unit} {to the|to your|with the} {house’s energy meter, increasing|home’s energy meter to increase|house’s energy meters, increasing} {your self-consumption|the amount of energy you consume|the energy consumption of your home}. {You can also|It is also possible to|Additionally, you can} {add an energy meter|include an energy meter in order|connect an energy meter} to {measure|monitor|gauge} the {PV system’s energy,|energy generated by the PV system,|power generated by the PV system} {which is then accounted for|which will be accounted for|that is then counted} {separately|in a separate way|independently}.
What is a Photovoltaic Array?
Photovoltaic arrays {are made up|consist|are composed} of {multiple photovoltaic panel assemblies|several photovoltaic panel assemblies|multiple photovoltaic panels}. {More commonly, photovoltaic panels|In general, photovoltaic panels|More often, photovoltaic panel} (or PV panels) are {known|referred to|also known} {as solar panels|by the name solar panel|in the field of solar panels}. They {convert sunlight into usable energy|convert sunlight into energy usable|transform sunlight into usable energy} by {absorbing|absorption of|taking in} {light|sunlight}.
Photovoltaic arrays {are a crucial|are an essential|play a vital} {component in|element in|component of} the {production and use|generation and utilization} {of solar energy|for solar power|in the use of energy from solar sources}. {Solar energy has gained popularity|Solar energy is gaining popularity|The popularity of solar energy has increased} in the {21st-century because of|21st century due to|21st century because of} concerns {about the environmental impact|over the environmental impacts|about the environmental effects} {of fossil fuels|of fossil fuels}.
The photovoltaic effect {is a method|is a way|can be described as a method} {of producing photovoltaic energy|to generate photovoltaic energy|of producing energy from photovoltaic sources}. It was {discovered for the|first discovered for the|discovered for} {first time in|first time during|very first time around the turn of} the 19th {Century|century}. {Photons, light particles,|Light particles, or photons,|Photons, also known as light particles} are {directed towards a PV cell|directed towards PV cells|focused towards a PV cell}. Photons are {agitated|stimulated|moved} {by the chemical properties of these cells,|due to the properties that these cells possess,|through the chemical characteristics of the cells} {which cause|causing|which causes} them to {have|possess|contain} subatomic particles {that produce|that generate|which generate} electricity. {These electrons are directed into|The electrons are directed to|These electrons are redirected into} an electronic circuit {by|through|due to} the {structure of the|design of} PV cells{, which converts|, which transform|. They convert} them into {usable electricity|usable electrical energy|electricity usable}. In the 1950s{,|} {the first photovoltaic array|an array of photovoltaic cells|the very first photovoltaic array} {appeared|was created|came to light}.
The photovoltaic array {was initially|was originally|initially} {used primarily for scientific purposes|utilized primarily for research purposes|employed primarily for scientific use}. The first {time PV arrays were used|time PV arrays were utilized|occasion PV arrays were employed} was to {supply energy|provide energy|supply power} to {orbiting satellites|satellites orbiting in space|satellites that orbit}. Photovoltaic arrays {are still being|continue to be|are currently} {used|employed|utilized} {for this purpose|to power satellites}. {The|For instance, the|In the case of Juno, both} International Space Station and Juno {exploratory spacecraft both|exploration spacecraft|exploration spacecraft also} {use photovoltaic panels to power|make use of photovoltaic panels to power|utilize photovoltaic panels for powering} their engines. {Devices that are earthbound can|Earthbound devices can|The devices that are earthbound may} be {used in places|utilized in areas|used in locations} {where power lines or the|that power lines or an|in which power lines or the} electric {power grid are not|grid aren’t|power grid is not} {possible|feasible|available}. Two {common examples|typical examples|examples of this} are recreational vehicles {and|as well as} {standalone highway signs|road signs that stand alone|separate highway signs}.
A photovoltaic {array is a|array is|panel is a} collection of {small or large|large or small|either large or small} {numbers of connected PV panels|amounts of PV panels connected|number of PV panels that are connected}. {It depends on how much|It is contingent on the amount of|It’s dependent on how much} power you {need|require}. {An inverter is often|Inverters are usually|Inverters are typically} {included with an attached|installed with an attached|used in conjunction with a} {system to convert|system that converts|device to convert} {electricity into the|power into an|energy into} AC {form needed by most|format required by the majority of|form required by most} household appliances. The {excess power can be|surplus power can be|surplus power is} stored in batteries{ or directed| or redirected|, or channeled} {into the local grid|into the grid of your local area|towards the local grid} {to provide a credit towards|to be used as a credit towards|for credit on} future {electricity bills|electric bills|electric bill}. {Although photovoltaic system cells|While photovoltaic cells|Although photovoltaic systems} {can generate|are able to generate|produce} {power from any light source|energy from any source of light|electricity from any source of light}{, the sun| however, sunlight| but the sun} is the most {popular|well-known|sought-after}. Photovoltaic arrays {must be located|should be placed|need to be situated} {where they will get maximum|in areas that receive the most|where they receive maximum} {sunlight during the day|sunlight throughout the day|sunshine during the daytime}. Even minor shade {can significantly|could significantly|can drastically} {reduce their efficiency|decrease their effectiveness|impact their efficiency}.
The {early|first|initial} Photovoltaic {system arrays were costly|arrays of systems were expensive|arrays were expensive} and {cumbersome|heavy|bulky}. {This limited their use|They were only available|This made them only accessible} to {people with large|those with huge|people with big} {pockets and|budgets and|pockets as well as} {deep commitments to alternative energy|large commitments to alternative energy sources|committed to renewable energy}. The 21st century {saw|witnessed} the {development of thin film|invention of thin film|creation of thin-film} cells{, which| that| which} {made the photovoltaic array|allowed photovoltaic panels to become|led to the creation of photovoltaic systems that were} {lighter and|lighter , and|smaller and} more {economically viable|financially viable|affordable}. {Public concern about the environmental|The public’s concern over the environmental|Concerns about the environment} and {cost|financial|economic} {implications of fossil fuels like|consequences of fossil fuels such as|impacts of fossil fuels such as} {gasoline and coal was growing|coal and gasoline was increasing|coal and gasoline was rising} {at the same time|simultaneously|in parallel}. This {led to|resulted in|has led to} {incentives from the government|encouragement from government|incentive programs from governments}{ and| as well as|, as well as} other initiatives {for|to promote} alternative energy {generation|sources|production}. Solar technology {has seen an increase|is gaining} in {popularity and use around|use and popularity around|its popularity and usage across} the {globe|world}.
