Solar Basics
Solar Electricity - Covering All the Basics
by Jack Faast
A solar electric (also called a solar photovoltaic) system converts sunlight directly to electricity. The panels that capture the sun are typically mounted on your room and will produce electricity any time the sun is shining.
When considering a solar electric or solar water heating system the first issues have to do with your immediate property and community. Take into account the existence of large trees or other obstructions that may shade your solar panels. If you live in a community where local ordinances affect how the residence appears on the outside, you will have to review those regulations early on.
We all have a general concept of the benefits of having a solar energy system for our own use. If you are already convinced, you may skip this paragraph. Most obviously your monthly electric bills will be lower. You'll see that benefit on the electric bill immediately after the system goes online in your home or business. In the near term you'll see relief from the effects of utility cost increases because you'll be using free energy from the sun. Globally, and probably the most difficult to measure, you will be protecting the environment by using clean, renewable energy in your home. Finally, you will enjoy energy independence by becoming your own power producer. Any one of these is reason enough to proceed along the path...and to read the rest of this article.
The basic solar electric system has three components that work together to generate electricity. First are the solar panels. These are usually mounted on the roofs of buildings but can be anywhere sunlight can strike them easily. Second is the inverter to convert the electricity from the solar panel into usable electrical current for the appliances in your home. When the sun strikes the panels DC (direct current) is produced. The appliances in your home use AC (alternative current). The inverter does the job of converting the panel's output into a form that is usable and is therefore a vital element in your solar system. The last component is a battery or series of batteries to store the electrical energy in case of a power outage. Batteries are optional but maximize your use of the power collected from the sun.
The most common concern has to do with what happens when there is no sunlight. Without sunlight you are not generating electricity and so will have to rely on the "grid" now in place for your power needs. Unless you live in an environment with a good sun source and a strong and efficient battery system, you will have to get electricity from a major commercial utility...just like you are now and have been since the late 1800's. Keep in mind that your dependence on the grid will be lowered.
SolarEnergyAdvisor.com does not provide referrals to individual contractors. In the near future we will start lists of organizations that may recommend installers. Furthermore this web site may institute a contractors page and installation information section.
When deciding on the size system you will need consider how much of your total electricity usage you would like to be produced by a solar electric system. A 3 kW system will produce 400 kWh/month. Measure this against an average residential customer using 1500 kWh/month (check your monthly electric utility bill for your usage figure). This would mean that 27% of the energy for this residence would be produced by the solar electric system. As a second example, a 10 kW photovoltaic system will produce a 1,333 kWh/month. Compare this to an average commercial customer using 7,500 kWh/month and therefore 18% of that company's electricity would be provided by the solar electric system. Again, a contractor will give you a closer estimate.
After making the investments in time and money you want to know how long the system will be operational. Most systems will last 20 years or more with proper maintenance. Panels typically have a one-year warranty for workmanship and 20 to 25 year warranty for performance. Inverters are commonly warranted for 5 to 10 years. Your solar equipment retailer will be able to review the warrantee and service contracts on any specific systems you shop.
Maintaining a typical residential solar electric system is a simple matter of keeping the surface of the panels clean to maximize their sun capturing capability. Accomplish this by occasionally using a garden hose to spray dust and debris from the panels. Once the panels are installed, most panel system will hold them stationery and gravity will force rain water to drain from the surface. More expensive industrial systems will track the sun and maintenance on these systems are best left to a professional.
Solar technologies have high initial costs. Consider the purchase of a solar electric or solar water heating system as like paying for your electric bills in advance.
Jack Faast is a free lance author writing on numerous topics. Personally he has been a proponent of alternative energy sources since the 1970's. This web site will feature other articles by Jack in the coming weeks.