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How do solar panels work?
The sun's energy is accumulated and converted into DC electricity through a device called a
photovoltaic (PV) panel. A PV panel converts sunlight directly into electricity anytime the sun is
shining. Of course more electricity is produced when the light is more intense (a sunny day)
than a cloudy day. Solar electric panels do not use heat to make electricity, PV cells are made
from silicon and electricity is produced as electrons are freed by the interaction of sunlight with
semiconductor materials in the solar cells. The cells come wired together in panels. A group of
panels mounted on a frame is called a PV array which is a typical installation for commercial
and residential applications.
To provide electricity reliably and safely, PV systems include several pieces of equipment in
addition to the PV array. These system components typically includes a charge controller, an
inverter, wiring, safety breakers or fuses, and can include a form of electricity storage (typically
batteries).
What are the benefits of solar electricity?
A PV system reduces or eliminates the amount of electricity you purchase from your electric
service utility, or it can provide power for sites where no power is available, or where the cost
to bring in utility power is prohibitive. The electricity generated by your PV system is clean,
renewable and reliable. Solar technology produces no air or water pollution, is emission free,
silent and unobtrusive. It makes it possible for business and residential owners to generate
their own power from a 100% renewable resource - the sun. It will immediately lower your utility
bill, act as a hedge against future price increases, and even add to the resale value of your
structure.
Is my site a good place for a solar system?
Your site must have clear, unobstructed access to the sun. Buildings, trees or other vegetation
should not shade your site. Even slight shading can significantly impact a PV system.
South-facing roof exposure is best, but roofs facing east and west maybe OK. If a rooftop is
not available, your PV system can also be mounted on the ground. Ground mounted systems
can also utilize solar tracking devices that can track the sun's movement across the sky and
keep the panels facing the sun for optimal exposure and power absorption.
Can a PV system replace the need for an electric utility?
PV systems are typically used as either grid-connected systems (also known as
grid-interactive, grid-interconnected or grid-tie systems) or stand-alone systems. The role of
photo voltaics in these two types of systems is very different, and the design decisions and
performance requirements are very different as well. Grid-connected PV systems are typically
sized to meet 50% or more of a structure's electrical load. These systems are not always sized
to meet all of the electricity loads of a structure because of the higher upfront costs associated
with purchasing a larger system. However, a larger system will cost less per kilowatt-hour
generated due to the economies of scale associated with manufacturing processes. Thus, a
grid-connected system will generate all or part of the electricity required in a structure, while
the remaining electricity loads are met by the utility. Stand-alone PV systems generate all of
the on-site electricity needs of a structure. Therefore, they are not connected to any electric
utility. Stand-alone systems can provide AC or DC electricity, and typically include batteries to
store electricity for use when the sun is not shining. Stand-alone systems are often
cost-effective when installed in remote areas where access by electric utilities is difficult and
expensive.
Isn't solar expensive?
At first it may seem that a solar electric system is expensive, but solar is actually much more
economical than utility power. Many states and utilities have incentives and/or rebates, and the
Federal government offers a deduction for installing an alternative energy system. If you
finance the system over it's warranty period, the monthly cost of solar will run about the same
as your current electric bill. Also, you may be able to add the cost of the system to your
mortgage (check with your mortgage provider for details). The big advantage is that this cost
will never increase, while the cost of electricity from the utility has increased at an average rate
of 6% per year over the last 30 years. Solar is a great investment for the long term.
Do I need to buy a system that will eliminate my electric bill?
No. Many people buy systems that only eliminate part of their electric bill. The utilities have
adopted a rate structure that increases the cost of electricity as you use more of it. Many
people choose a system that will only eliminate the most expensive electricity. This increases
the return on your investment.
What is the lifespan of a PV system?
Solar Electric systems last a long time depending on the amount of active use, or the amount
of sunshine converted into electricity by the PV cells. Most systems are only in use for 6 to 8
hours per day. Manufacturers will usually provide 10 to 20-year warranties, but PV modules will
likely last longer than that. The balance of system components, however, may have a shorter
life particularly components like batteries.
What is involved in maintaining and operating a Solar Electric system?
Without any moving parts, maintaining a PV system is relatively simple. For grid-connected
systems, minimal maintenance is required, including keeping the panels free of any debris
such as fallen leaves, bird droppings, etc. For stand-alone systems, the batteries usually
require the most maintenance.
Does the electric meter really spin backwards?
When a grid-connected solar electric system generates more power than the structure is
consuming, the excess electricity goes back out into the utility grid. Excess power going back
into the grid spins the meter backwards. This is called "net metering" and allows the utilities
customer to only be billed for the "net" electricity purchased over the entire billing period. At
the end of each billing cycle the meter will not have spun as far forwards as compared to not
having solar electricity.
Will I have power if the utility grid experiences a blackout?
Grid-tied systems are designed to cut off so as not to back feed power on to utility lines and
create a safety hazard for utility workers. Stand alone systems are never connected to utility
lines so they continue to provide power. However, unless a battery option is available the PV
panels may not provide enough electricity for the whole structure.
Are there any incentives or rebates available?
Many states and utilities offer incentive programs. For more information on incentives available
in your area check with state and federal programs.
The sun's energy is accumulated and converted into DC electricity through a device called a
photovoltaic (PV) panel. A PV panel converts sunlight directly into electricity anytime the sun is
shining. Of course more electricity is produced when the light is more intense (a sunny day)
than a cloudy day. Solar electric panels do not use heat to make electricity, PV cells are made
from silicon and electricity is produced as electrons are freed by the interaction of sunlight with
semiconductor materials in the solar cells. The cells come wired together in panels. A group of
panels mounted on a frame is called a PV array which is a typical installation for commercial
and residential applications.
To provide electricity reliably and safely, PV systems include several pieces of equipment in
addition to the PV array. These system components typically includes a charge controller, an
inverter, wiring, safety breakers or fuses, and can include a form of electricity storage (typically
batteries).
What are the benefits of solar electricity?
A PV system reduces or eliminates the amount of electricity you purchase from your electric
service utility, or it can provide power for sites where no power is available, or where the cost
to bring in utility power is prohibitive. The electricity generated by your PV system is clean,
renewable and reliable. Solar technology produces no air or water pollution, is emission free,
silent and unobtrusive. It makes it possible for business and residential owners to generate
their own power from a 100% renewable resource - the sun. It will immediately lower your utility
bill, act as a hedge against future price increases, and even add to the resale value of your
structure.
Is my site a good place for a solar system?
Your site must have clear, unobstructed access to the sun. Buildings, trees or other vegetation
should not shade your site. Even slight shading can significantly impact a PV system.
South-facing roof exposure is best, but roofs facing east and west maybe OK. If a rooftop is
not available, your PV system can also be mounted on the ground. Ground mounted systems
can also utilize solar tracking devices that can track the sun's movement across the sky and
keep the panels facing the sun for optimal exposure and power absorption.
Can a PV system replace the need for an electric utility?
PV systems are typically used as either grid-connected systems (also known as
grid-interactive, grid-interconnected or grid-tie systems) or stand-alone systems. The role of
photo voltaics in these two types of systems is very different, and the design decisions and
performance requirements are very different as well. Grid-connected PV systems are typically
sized to meet 50% or more of a structure's electrical load. These systems are not always sized
to meet all of the electricity loads of a structure because of the higher upfront costs associated
with purchasing a larger system. However, a larger system will cost less per kilowatt-hour
generated due to the economies of scale associated with manufacturing processes. Thus, a
grid-connected system will generate all or part of the electricity required in a structure, while
the remaining electricity loads are met by the utility. Stand-alone PV systems generate all of
the on-site electricity needs of a structure. Therefore, they are not connected to any electric
utility. Stand-alone systems can provide AC or DC electricity, and typically include batteries to
store electricity for use when the sun is not shining. Stand-alone systems are often
cost-effective when installed in remote areas where access by electric utilities is difficult and
expensive.
Isn't solar expensive?
At first it may seem that a solar electric system is expensive, but solar is actually much more
economical than utility power. Many states and utilities have incentives and/or rebates, and the
Federal government offers a deduction for installing an alternative energy system. If you
finance the system over it's warranty period, the monthly cost of solar will run about the same
as your current electric bill. Also, you may be able to add the cost of the system to your
mortgage (check with your mortgage provider for details). The big advantage is that this cost
will never increase, while the cost of electricity from the utility has increased at an average rate
of 6% per year over the last 30 years. Solar is a great investment for the long term.
Do I need to buy a system that will eliminate my electric bill?
No. Many people buy systems that only eliminate part of their electric bill. The utilities have
adopted a rate structure that increases the cost of electricity as you use more of it. Many
people choose a system that will only eliminate the most expensive electricity. This increases
the return on your investment.
What is the lifespan of a PV system?
Solar Electric systems last a long time depending on the amount of active use, or the amount
of sunshine converted into electricity by the PV cells. Most systems are only in use for 6 to 8
hours per day. Manufacturers will usually provide 10 to 20-year warranties, but PV modules will
likely last longer than that. The balance of system components, however, may have a shorter
life particularly components like batteries.
What is involved in maintaining and operating a Solar Electric system?
Without any moving parts, maintaining a PV system is relatively simple. For grid-connected
systems, minimal maintenance is required, including keeping the panels free of any debris
such as fallen leaves, bird droppings, etc. For stand-alone systems, the batteries usually
require the most maintenance.
Does the electric meter really spin backwards?
When a grid-connected solar electric system generates more power than the structure is
consuming, the excess electricity goes back out into the utility grid. Excess power going back
into the grid spins the meter backwards. This is called "net metering" and allows the utilities
customer to only be billed for the "net" electricity purchased over the entire billing period. At
the end of each billing cycle the meter will not have spun as far forwards as compared to not
having solar electricity.
Will I have power if the utility grid experiences a blackout?
Grid-tied systems are designed to cut off so as not to back feed power on to utility lines and
create a safety hazard for utility workers. Stand alone systems are never connected to utility
lines so they continue to provide power. However, unless a battery option is available the PV
panels may not provide enough electricity for the whole structure.
Are there any incentives or rebates available?
Many states and utilities offer incentive programs. For more information on incentives available
in your area check with state and federal programs.
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At G2Power
Technologies, llc
we know you have
questions and we
are happy to discuss
your needs with you
in detail. Please
Contact Us if you
have additional
questions.
Technologies, llc
we know you have
questions and we
are happy to discuss
your needs with you
in detail. Please
Contact Us if you
have additional
questions.
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