Using solar panels, you can turn sunshine into electricity that powers your home and helps you save money on energy costs. The number of panels needed for your home depends on your hourly energy usage and peak sunlight hours.
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If you’ve ever looked up at the hi-tech expanses of shimmering glass that crown rooftops and roadside signs, or help keep spacecraft powered, you may have wondered exactly how solar panels work to turn sunlight into energy for your home. The answer is simple, and based on the same basic principle that powers most electronic devices: photons (particles of light) knock electrons free from atoms in semiconductor materials, creating a flow of electricity.
Solar panels are made up of many, smaller units called solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. A solar cell is essentially a sandwich made up of two slices of semi-conducting material, most commonly silicon. The solar cells are linked together using a conductive wire, which is the element that carries the electricity generated by your solar panel. This conductive wire is directed into an important component of your solar system called an inverter, which transforms the DC electricity into usable AC electricity.
The inverter is also where a lot of the magic happens, as it can take the energy produced by your solar panels and maximize their efficiency. The inverter can do this by adjusting the voltage and frequency of the electricity to match your home’s needs. It can also detect the direction of the sun and adjust its output to account for changes in the weather or time of day.
Once the electricity is in the form that your home can use, it’s channeled through the meter and into the grid. If your solar system produces more electricity than you need at a given time, the excess power is sent back to the utility grid through a process called net metering.
Solar panels produce clean energy that reduces carbon dioxide emissions and helps homeowners save money on their electricity bills. They are a great option for anyone who wants to live off the grid or be more self-sufficient, especially in states with robust net metering programs.
It takes a lot of energy to produce the silicon used in solar panels, however. For example, it takes 14-16 kWh to produce one kilogram of metallurgical grade silicon. Despite this, solar panels produce 25 times less CO2 equivalent per kilowatt hour than coal-powered electricity.
Materials
Solar panels are made of a variety of materials that work together to generate electricity. They can be used to power homes, businesses or remote locations. The most common type of solar panel is a silicon-based photovoltaic module.
Silicon is a semiconductor material that creates an electric current when exposed to sunlight. Solar cells are the basic building blocks of any solar panel and are comprised of a series of layers of doped semiconductor material arranged to maximize energy production. In addition to silicon, amorphous silicon (aSi), gallium arsenide (GaAs) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) are also common solar cell types.
Once the solar cells are fabricated, they’re soldered together and encapsulated in an anti-corrosive and waterproof material. The encapsulant is usually silicon rubber or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
Aluminum makes up two major components of solar panels: the metal frames and the busbar ribbon that connects each cell. The aluminum wires carry the electricity generated by solar cells, so they need to be strong and durable. For these reasons, the wires in most solar panels are made from either copper or aluminum.
Depending on the manufacturer, there are a few different types of solar cells. The most popular are crystalline silicon solar cells. These use wafers that are cut from a single, pure crystal and tend to be more efficient than polycrystalline silicon solar cells, which are made by melting multiple crystals together in a vat.
Another option is thin-film solar cells. These are typically based on CIGS, which are more flexible than crystalline silicon solar cells and can be produced in much larger sizes. This flexibility allows them to be incorporated into buildings and other structures, and they can produce energy in a wider range of climates.
A solar panel’s glass casing is tempered glass, which is a special kind of glass that has been heated and cooled several times to increase its strength and durability. The clear top of a solar panel is about 6-7 millimeters thick and helps protect the solar cells from environmental elements and falling objects. The back of a solar panel is covered by a Mylar or Tedlar backsheet, which serves to protect the solar cells from the elements and critters that may want to nibble on them from behind.
Installation
The first step in installing solar panels is to determine your home’s suitability for them. This can be done by evaluating your energy needs, assessing your roof condition, and exploring available incentives. After this, you can proceed with the actual planning, engineering, permitting and installation process.
The next step is to acquire all the required materials. This includes solar panels, a charge controller, an inverter, and a battery pack. It is also important to obtain the proper building and electrical permits before starting any physical work. This will ensure compliance with local regulations and avoid costly delays down the line.
After acquiring all the necessary equipment, the next step is to install the mounting system. There are three common types of mounts: roof, ground and pole. Roof mounts are the most popular and easiest to install, as they attach directly to your roof. The remaining two types of mounts are more complex and require a little more space, but still allow you to harness the sun’s energy. Once the racking system is in place, you can begin mounting the solar panels. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, as they will vary depending on the type of mount you have chosen.
Once all the solar panels are mounted, you will need to wire them together. This can be done in either a series or parallel configuration. Series wiring is when the Positive (+) and Negative (-) wires of each panel are connected together. This increases the voltage, while keeping the current the same. Parallel wiring is when the Positive (+) and Negative (+) wires are connected to each other. This decreases the voltage, while increasing the current.
Once the solar panels are wired together, they will be able to produce power. This can then be used to power your home. The excess electricity can also be sold to the grid for an additional source of income. This is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money! Solar panels are an excellent option for anyone looking to live a greener life.
Maintenance
The maintenance procedures for solar panels vary somewhat from one installer to the next, but in general they involve routine cleaning, inspections and repairs. Most companies recommend that their customers clean their panels every month or so to keep them looking great and producing electricity at peak performance. For those who can’t do this themselves, a professional solar panel cleaning service typically costs around $150 per year.
Cleaning solar panels is a relatively simple process that involves using lukewarm water to spray away dust, dirt and grime. It’s important to avoid using harsh chemicals or high-pressure cleaners, which could damage the surface of the panels. Also, it’s recommended to use a soft brush or sponge to prevent scratching the panels. Finally, it’s a good idea to use a telescopic pole or extendable handle to access hard-to-reach areas of the panels.
Solar panels are incredibly durable and can survive most weather conditions. They can even withstand some level of damage from hail, as was the case with some solar installations during Hurricane Florence in 2018. That said, it’s still a good idea to regularly check on the condition of your panels. If they’re damaged or covered in residue, it’s important to report this to your solar provider as soon as possible to minimize potential long-term problems.
Aside from regular cleaning, solar panel maintenance includes checking on the inverter display to identify any errors. Most inverters have a built-in alert system that will notify you of any issues so you can resolve them quickly and prevent any loss of power production.
If you’re wondering about the lifespan of solar panels, they can last up to 25 years or more with proper care and maintenance. That makes them a sustainable and cost-effective energy solution for many homeowners. In addition, you can save up to a quarter of your electricity bills by switching to solar.