Solar panels
Solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) panels make use of sunlight to provide for a variety of needs. The area of photovoltaics is concerned primarily with converting sunlight into electricity. This task is accomplished through the use of solar or PV cells.
Solar cells are assembled into modules, which in turn are combined into solar arrays. The PV cells make use of semiconductor materials which can conduct electricity. The most common of these materials is silicon. This is because silicon is an abundant element- the processing of which does not burden the environment.
Of course, the manufacturing of silicon has to be done in a clean setting. This is the main reason for the expense of solar cells.
The silicon cells utilized for solar panels can fit into one of three categories:
•Monocrystalline- These silicon cells are saw-cut from a single, cylindrical crystal of silicon. They are the most efficient of the three. Also, they are invariably rigid and require a strong support.
•Polycrystalline- These are cut from an ingot of melted and recrystallized silicon. They are cheaper than monocrystalline, but less efficient. They are also known as multicrystalline silicon cells. Solar panels made from these solar cells also require rigid supports.
•Amorphous silicon- Rather than coming from a crystal structure, these cells are created from a thin layer of silicon atoms. They are less efficient than the other two, but easier to produce. In addition to that, this photovoltaic technology can be used for either thin or rigid solar panels.
With winter fast approaching, consider saving energy through the use of solar technology. Heating needs for the average American home will generally account for half of its entire energy expenses. Even taking advantage of just a few solar appliances is certain to alleviate some of that burden.
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Sunlight is an abundant resource which, when harnessed by PV systems, is a great tool for offsetting energy consumption. Solar panels transform sunlight into usable forms of energy for on- or off-grid applications. Wired together in modular array systems, solar panels allow custom, expandable design to meet a variety of energy demands, from powering a remote pump to lighting an urban home.
Solar panel manufacturing technology In crystalline silicon solar cells, the orderly arrangement of atoms results in the efficient conversion of sunlight to electricity. A typical crystalline silicon solar panel consists of a transparent glass surface, an ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant, a Tedlar rear layer, and an aluminum outer frame.
Thin-film deposition is easier and less expensive than crystalline silicon-ingot growth techniques because it uses less semiconductor material. The three principal thin-film technologies are amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). These processes produce high-efficiency modules that can be built directly into roofing shingles for aesthetic architectural considerations.
Effective string-ribbon manufacturing combines conventional crystalline silicon and emerging thin film technology. The high-temperature, molten process contributes to a double yield over conventional solar panel construction per pound of silicon for high material efficiency.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems In addition to solar panels, a photovoltaic (PV) system requires a mounting structure to tilt panels toward the sun, an inverter to convert panel-generated direct current (DC) into appliance-friendly alternating current (AC), battery storage to compensate for unfavorable weather conditions, and a charge controller to regulate battery operation.
Grid-tie systems are interconnected to the utility network. Wired with a synchronizing inverter, grid-tie systems feed surplus electricity back into the local utility. The utility acts as an infinite storage system, eliminating the need for batteries. Grid-tie systems are aligned with many government-sponsored incentives.
Off-grid systems are stand-alone systems designed for RV, cabin, remote, backup and portable power applications. Because they do not rely on the electrical grid, off-grid systems require batteries to offset lesser power production due to prolonged periods of inclement weather.
In hybrid off-grid systems, a gasoline, propane or diesel generator compensates for solar power production that is insufficient for energy demands. Add solar panels as your budget allows, reducing generator run time.
Even with the significant initial cost of solar power systems, the renewable nature of PV technology, low system maintenance, and numerous tax incentives make solar panel systems an attractive investment for powering homes and businesses.
