How Solar Panels work
We’ve listed below, more detail on the precise steps of how sunshine is transformed into power in your home, but the below is a quick explanation on the pathway that solar power takes from your roof to the appliances in your home:
Solar Panels
Solar panels are machines that switch light into electricity, and are typically installed on the roof. These panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) chambers, which convert sunshine into direct current (DC) power.
Inverter
Inverters are the apparatus that carry out the conversion of the photovoltaic cell DC output into a AC current that is then fed back onto the electricity grid. Grid linked solar inverters don’t only convert this current; they are now sophisticated mini-computers that analyse many aspects of your solar panels performance.
Utility Meter
The utility meter frequently records your electrical supply – it measures not only the output of your solar solution but how what you can do to optimise your set up and power usage to reduce your electricity usage and reduce your average quarterly power bill. The meter calculates units and is able to determine a snapshot of how solar works for the creation of these energy units (in kw hours) and your power bill alters these units into a monetary value; when your solar solution produces more electricity than it needs your meter needle can literally start spinning backwards which can lead to credits with your power company that can either offset your next bill or have you receiving a regular cash amount.
Utility Grid
Unless you are off grid or have organized solar storage or batteries your home generally stays linked to the electricity grid so that your home remains connected with a power source so that you still have electricity to run your home at night.
To go into slightly more detail, the solar panels are one of the most important parts of your solar solution. They convert sunlight into clean, into exploitable, sustainable electrical power. The 2nd and most important aspect of your solar solution is the inverter, this converts DC into AC that in turn powers all the appliances in your home.
The solar module is made up of several photovoltaic units that are connected in a series or parallel, applied to a plastic panel and electrically joined with a solder or other hard conducting machinery. The amount of power made by each panel is determined by the amount of cells within each sheet and how that cell is constructed. When the solar cells are joined in sequence, the total energy is the addition of the energy from each separate cell.
Like photovoltaic units, solar panels can also be configured to create a precise current and voltage. By joining solar panels in certain configurations you can dictate the energy and voltage of the solar solution, and in turn determining the output that the system produces. This is quite a complicated process and hence there are national and international solar standards that apply to the manufacturing process for all solar technologies and all solar installers need to have the correct training and accreditations to install panels and connect them to your power supply.
The size of the solar panel array that you need is dictated by the size of your roof and the amount of energy you use. A professional installer, like Sun Connect, can spend time with you (over the phone or in person) taking you through your current usage recommend a size that suits your requirements and prepare a quote accordingly. Obviously you can take step to make your solar panel system work even more efficiently by maintaining it with annual inspections and cleaning and as well as taking advantage of our renewable living ideas mentioned in our Solar Benefits section.
How Solar Panels Efficiencies are rated in the Factory
To standardize solar panel rating and predictability across the globe all solar panels are rated through the same Standard Test Conditions (STC). STC’s are defined as the solar irradiation of 1 kilowatt per square metre, a module temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a solar irradiation angle of 45 degrees.
When in production, solar power electrical performance is tested in a flash simulator that mimics the brightness and heat of sunlight and is accurate within about 3% of the naturally occurring element.
The ratio of output energy to input energy from sunlight is then calculated, i.e., what percentage of sunlight that hits the panel gets converted into electricity. The more power generated the higher the solar panel efficiency.
Does Solar Power Work in the Cold?
Yes they do work well in cold weather. It’s a common misconception that panels are less efficient in cold weather, but in actual fact panels are more efficient in the lower temperatures that you would find in Autumn or Spring, the only reason summer being the best overall season is the consistently higher amount of sunshine and cloudless less days in the months of December, January and February, as well as the slightly longer days (day light hours) that we enjoy.
Like many electronic devices and even home based appliances, solar panels tend to be more efficient in the lower temperature spectrum say 22 – 28 degrees, some of the extreme temperatures of Australian summers, though not necessarily harmful, are no more effective than a 24 degree day in Spring. This is because solar panels generate their energy from light, not heat.
Luckily in Australia, snow and blizzard conditions are confined to our rare high peaks, predominantly on the east coast, so having the snow and ice build up that many countries have to worry about in winter in Europe is just not a problem in Australia, in fact we have the best solar conditions in the world here in Australia.
Does Solar Work In Cloudy Weather?
Temperature variatio
ns, as stated above, don’t have a huge impact on solar panels, but a lack of sunlight due to cloud cover and/or rain have a fairly large impact on the efficiency of your solar panel investment.
There are varying degrees of cloud cover and dozens of different cloud types, the distant cirrus cloud that are 18,000 feet above and are often quite broken up have very little or no impact on your panels (less than 5%) but a large, grey gathering of low lying cumulus clouds (about 6000 feet from Earth) can reduce the impact of your solar panels by up to 80%! The exact impact is almost impossible to measure as the exact type of cloud, it’s height, it’s density, it’s nature, how long it stays around for and the time of the days it’s is around all go into the equation when measure their impact of solar efficiency.
There is no a lot you can do to negate this other than to make sure you live in any area of Australia that has as many sunny does as possible, luckily this is pretty much everywhere in our lucky country, but some places are more blessed than others, Perth has more sunny days than any other city in Australia, and due to the high winds their metropolitan region receives clouds don’t tend to hand around as long.
There are panel varieties that you can buy that work better in cloudy conditions (and conversely not as well in direct sunlight) but these tend to be a little more popular in countries that experience more and longer cloud cover (ie. London).
How About Using Reflectors To Concentrate More Light On The Panels?
Using mirrors or any other reflecting device can actual add to the total output of your solar investment. But it’s important not to go over the top with this as too much increased light can cause the panes to overheat which reduces their efficiency and in the long term can lead to the panels failing completely which is a waste of your time, effort and money and will most probably make the product warranty void.
You’ll find that most reputable companies (Sun Connect included) will sell high output monocrystalline panels that are really very highly optimised and negates the need to risk extra juice from installing reflectors.
How Long Will My Solar Power System Last?
Solar panels themselves are the most durable, longest living part of your entire solar solution, they don’t contain any moving parts and are 100% self-sufficient (though annual cleaning is always helpful). They are designed to withstand extreme temperature variations, very strong winds, and in most cases hail. Most installers and manufacturers have a standard industry output guarantee (at above 80% output) of 20 years, and the better providers are now closer to 25 years, Sun Connect leads the pack with a standard output warranty of 30 years, added to the industry leading 10 year manufacturer’s warranty on parts.
What About Breakage? Don’t Most Panels Contain Glass?
Solar panels are made of a glass superstrate which is a low iron-tempered glass that has been coated with several layers of composite plastic. This is an incredibly durable substance which protects the already strong glass that covers the solar cells within the panel frame. But they are by no means bullet proof, if a tradesperson was to accidently stand on them, if a overhanging tree or large branch fell or a very severe hail storm erupted you will find that the panels can shatter or puncture, if this immediate damage doesn’t break the machine the subsequent water and dust that gets into the solar cell swill. So it’s very important to check on the durability and warranty of the solar panels you’re looking to purchase as not all panels were born equal.
Cheaper panels are made with a lower grade glass, less durable plastic and weaker frames and are more prone to breaking, so it’s definitely worthwhile investing in something that’s built to last. As mentioned Sun Connect’s high output panels have an industry leading 10 year manufacturer’s warranty and 1 year installation guarantee on all our solar panels.
What are Solar Panel trackers?
A solar panel tracker is a swivel head attached to the mounting device that is programmed to follow the path of the sun throughout the day. In perfect conditions it can add up to 40% to the output of your solar system, but we’ve found they are considerably more expensive and prone to breakdowns than your standard fixed solar panel system and until they have reached a more realistic price point and the technology and application of that technology has improved we will not be adding them to our stock of products.