How Does A Solar Electric System Work?
Would you like to reduce your carbon footprint by turning to a renewable source of energy? Are you interested in using solar energy to power your home or business? Would you like to understand how solar energy systems work before taking the next step?
If your answer to the above questions is in the affirmative, you have come to the right place. Solar is the biggest source of energy on the planet. Solar power works by converting sunlight into electricity. Depending on your energy requirements, the electricity produced can be used to power your home or even exported to the grid.
To produce electricity, solar power systems rely on a number of important components including:
- Solar Panels
- Inverters
- Electrical Panels
- Charge Controllers and Batteries (optional)
- Net Meter
- The Grid
To find out more about how solar electricity works, please keep reading below.
Solar Panels
Primarily assembled using PV (Photo Voltaic) cells, a metal frame, film-coated glass casing and connecting wires, solar panels are grouped together and installed on rooftops. This ensures maximum exposure to sunlight. When sunlight hits the panels, electricity starts flowing as a result of the Photo Voltaic process. The electricity produced by solar panels is in the form of Direct Current (DC) â which cannot be used to power regular electronic appliances.
Inverter
The DC current produced by solar panels is directed to the inverter where it is converted into AC (Alternating Current). Depending on the design of the solar system in use, the inverter may be centrally located or installed on each panel â in the form of micro-inverters. Inverters also keep track of a lot of information about the solar power system including the amount of power produced.
Electrical Panel/Switchboard
AC power from the inverter is then directed to a switchboard/electrical panel before it flows into your home, and is used to power the devices and appliances therein. The main job of the switchboard is to ensure that solar power is used to meet your homeâs power requirements first before additional power is drawn in from the grid, where necessary.
Charge Controller And Battery Bank
If you choose to have batteries added to your system, you will also need a charge controller. Deep-cycle batteries can be used to store power for use during the night, or any other time, when the solar panels are unable to generate enough electricity. The charge controller is used to ensure that the batteries are charged at the right power level, without causing any damage. In some systems, the inverter can be used to regulate the battery charge.
Net Meter
Your utility company will supply you with a net meter once you have a solar power system installed in your home or business. During cloudy days, or periods when the solar electric system is unable to produce enough power to meet your requirements, more power is pulled from the grid. On the other hand, during the middle of the day, when the sun is shining brightest, excess solar electric power may be produced, with any surplus being re-directed into the grid. This process is referred to as net-metering.
The net meter has one main function – to measure the amount of power flowing to and from your house during the different scenarios described above.
The Grid
As mentioned above, any unused electricity produced by your solar power system is re-directed to the grid. This earns you a feed-in tariff â which is simply a credit on your electricity bill.
Summary
As you can see from the above, solar electric systems are designed to work seamlessly when it comes to powering your home or business. You will not be required to keep on switching the system on and off whenever you need it. The system will do this automatically, and even alternate consumption between solar power and the grid.
If you have any questions about solar power in Hervey Bay, please contact us today at GCR Electrical Systems on (07) 4120 7004 or leave an enquiry if you would like more information about our solar installation services.
