Solar Panels:
Save Money With
Clean Power

Imagine taking the light of the sun (not the heat) and turning it into the electricity that powers our TV and gives us the majesty of "Baywatch".

Also, the history of these panels is a pretty amazing story.

But first things first: How do these panels work ?

Well, sunlight is converted into electricity through photovoltaic (PV) technology.

The simple explanation of this is that sunlight interacts with semiconductor materials in the PV cell to free electrons and produce an electric current.

What's that? You want a more sophisticated scientific explanation of solar power involving photons, electromagnetic radiation, and Alessandro Volta?

I think we might be getting ahead of ourselves.

For now let's take a look at how these mysterious panels could work for you. Sound good?

Okay, now let's say you've checked out solar power rebates and maybe even found a way to install solar electric panels for free (or at least for a really cheap price).

Then you used your solar pathfinder to evaluate your solar site and see how much sun you actually get.

Then you checked out panel efficiency and got a solar power quote to find out how much your panels will cost and decided on the best panels.

Now that you understand what all the panel info means (including temperature coefficient), you install the panels (or solar shingles or solar roof tiles or thin-film solar panels ) on your roof.

Maybe you even go all out and commission an entire solar power plant.

Then you take your axe and chop through the old meter box so you're "free from the grid", only to go inside to find that you have no power.

Why aren't your efficient panels working?

Well I'm afraid you've left a few pieces out of your solar power system (don't worry it happens to the best of us).

On top of the panels, a solar power system requires:

• Wiring

• A solar power inverter

• A charge controller

• Grounding

• Solar batteries (if you want to store your power)

Let's say for example you have your 100 Watt solar panel out in the sun.

That beautiful sunlight hits your pv panel and frees up some electrons.

These electrons follow the wiring to your charge controller which regulates the voltage for your batteries.

Then when you need to use your toaster the current goes from the battery to the inverter where it is converted from DC power to the AC power your toaster needs.

See, it's all coming together.

Oh, and why do we need the grounding?

That's so our beautiful solar electric panels don't get fried due to lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher voltage lines.

Is solar power starting to make a little more sense?

Excellent!







Return from "Solar Panels" to "Solar Power Beginner" HomePage