2. An example
You've probably seen
calculators with solar cells
-- devices that never need
batteries and, in some
cases, don't even have an
off button. As long as
there's enough light, they
seem to work forever. You
may also have seen larger
solar panels, perhaps on
emergency road signs, call
boxes, buoys, and even in
parking lots to power the
lights. That is Photovoltaic
energy at work.
3. Photovoltaic energy
Photovoltaic energy is
the direct conversion of
light into electricity at the
atomic level. Some
materials exhibit a
property known as the
photoelectric effect that
causes them to absorb
photons of light and
release electrons. When
these free electrons are
captured, an electric
current results that can
be used as electricity.
4. Cells to Panels to an Array
A number of solar cells electrically
connected to each other and
mounted in a support structure or
frame is called a photovoltaic
module. Panels are designed to
supply electricity at a certain
voltage, such as a common 12
volts system. The current
produced is directly dependent on
how much light strikes the panel.
Multiple panels can be wired
together to form an array. In
general, the larger the area of a
panel or array, the more electricity
that will be produced.
5. Solar Panels
So you saw the way a panel, or an array, is "pieced" together. Solar
cells convert sunlight into electricity through a process where light
energy in the form of a photon strikes the solar cell, creating a small
amount of electricity, as you already know.
However to collect energy from the sun, solar panels need a few
materials under the glass to harness the sun. Here are a few of
different types of thin film coatings:
Amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), Copper-Indium
Selenide (CuInSe2), Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Multi-junction Cells,
Dye-Sensitized Thin Film Solar Cells(DSSC), and Organic/Polymer
Thin Film Solar Cells.
All these coatings are used to absorb sunlight and form into energy.
Which can be used to power your home, however there are a couple
more steps before your running your toaster off solar.
6.
7. The Inverter
This energy generated by the panel, in the form of direct
current (DC), is transmitted to the inverter. The job of the
inverter is to convert the DC power the solar panel has
generated to alternating current (AC) that is transmitted on the
grid.
The inverter converts DC to AC by using two switches which
convert the positive only DC power to an alternating positive to
negative AC power. The inverter will then step up the voltage
from 12 volts to 120 volts, which is the voltage used throughout
the US electrical grid. This conversion of voltage is what allows
a 12 volt DC solar polar to be tied into a 120 volt AC grid.
8.
9. The Utility Meter
The meter takes the amount of 120 volt AC energy your cells
have created and measures it in the form of kilowatts (kW), with
each kilowatt being equal to 1,000 watts of energy. To
understand how much energy is within a kilowatt, to generate
one kilowatt, a 200 watt solar system would have to operate at
peak efficiency for five hours.
As the electricity is transferred from the inverter to the grid, the
utility meter measures the amount and at the end of the month
the power company compares the amount of electricity you use
against the amount you added to the electrical grid.
10. Grid-tied Solar
Grid tied solar means that your solar array is directly connected
to your utilities grid. Your array acts like a generator and
produces energy that is first used by you and any extra is sold
to your electric utility. If you're generating enough electricity to
support yourself then your electric bill is considerably lower.
However if you use more energy then your solar array
generates, your utility will bill you for the difference (net).
11. Off the grid solar
Off the grid solar is when you install
a system and are no longer "attached"
to an electrical company. They don't
meter you and if you can't generate
enough solar to support your home,
you either have a generator or you're
living in the dark till the sun comes out
and can recharge your system.
The energy you receive from your
solar array, feeds a charge controller, the charge controller
monitors the attached battery bank to maintain fully charged
healthy batteries. The inverter draws DC power from the
battery bank and creates 120 volt AC to feed the electrical
loads from your home.
12. Global Green Energy Corp.
Global Green Energy Corp. designs, manufactures, markets, and installs
innovative renewable energy solutions for the residential and commercial US
markets.
We accomplish this mission by:
1. Using sustainable business practices,
2. Providing local employment,
3. Creating local and regional alliances with the public and private sectors,
and,
4. Building a local manufacturing and installation model that can be replicated
on a national scale.
Our core environmental and socially responsible values include three basic
principles:
• Educate ourselves and empower others.
• Use less, create more.
• Invest locally.
For more information visit www.ggec.co or ask one of our representatives.
