Come to think of it, there are so many reasons people are switching to solar power today. And, why not? It can be an excellent alternative to conventional electricity sources as it can help you reduce your monthly bills while being environment-friendly. Moreover, because of our country’s ideal geographic location, we are one of the leading generators of solar power.
From commercial to industrial to residential sectors, the adoption of solar panel systems has been impressive and will only grow because of its various advantages. If you want to make the switch to solar energy, here is a guide that will give you the much-needed information about how a solar panel system works so you can make an informed decision.
Image Source: Luminous
First, let’s understand the basics of solar power:
Solar power is energy that can be used, such as electric or thermal energy, that is generated by the sun. The most common technique to harness solar energy is using a photovoltaic solar panel system, which converts the sun’s rays into useful electricity.
How Does a Solar Panel System Work?
A solar panel is a collection of electrically connected solar cells that turn sunlight into electricity. A solar panel system consists of solar panels that absorb the sun’s heat, an inverter that converts solar energy to electrical energy, and batteries that store the electricity. The capacity of a solar panel system to convert photons into electrons is the key to electricity generation.
In a nutshell, a solar panel system turns photons into direct current, which is subsequently converted to alternative current for usage in residential and commercial applications. The electricity must flow somewhere once the photovoltaic process generates a current. Most commonly, there are two types of grid systems that are used for this:
- On-Grid System: These systems are made to work with the grid, or to put it another way, your electrical source. This method generates electricity that is fed back into the grid.
- Off-Grid System: These systems store the electricity generated during conversion in batteries and then use the stored energy by converting it back to AC as needed.
Though there are several methods for capturing solar energy, rooftop solar panel systems are becoming increasingly popular because of their inexpensive installation costs and other cost-cutting advantages. Solar panels, which are made up of photovoltaic cells (solar cells), AC/DC switches, an inverter, and electrical conduit, are required to install a rooftop solar system.
Rooftop solar panels may be simply installed on building roofs to capture solar energy. However, the installation process isn’t as straightforward as it appears. Before installing a rooftop solar panel, there are a few things to think about to get the most out of it.
- Solar panels should always be positioned facing south in any solar power installation. In India, the tilt angle of a solar panel should be between 8 and 33 degrees, but this varies depending on the site of the installation across different states.
- To ensure durability in harsh environments, solar panels must be grouted with anchor bolts or a concrete foundation.
- To minimise DC transmission losses, inverter and batteries should be located as close to the panels as possible.
- When connecting the panels in series, be sure the maximum permitted voltage is not exceeded.
- To allow for potential material expansion, there should be a minimum spacing of 5 mm between two solar panels.
- Solar panels must be of the same type (mono or poly) and power class to be interconnected.
- There should be no shade or shadow on the solar panels because this can cause losses, hotspots, and other issues.
The solar panel system must be installed with precision in order to create the maximum amount of electricity from the solar power plant. Because no two rooftops are alike, the procedure necessitates system design and close supervision to assure proper solar rooftop power plant installation. Reputable brands like Luminous can be trusted when it comes your solar panel system needs by providing expert assistance during installation.
