How is a Solar Energy System Composed?
If you’re considering installing solar panels on your home or business, it’s important to understand exactly how a solar energy system works and the key components involved. While solar technology continues advancing rapidly, the basic building blocks of a residential or commercial solar PV (photovoltaic) system have remained consistent for many years. Let’s break down the major parts and how they all interconnect.
Solar Panels
Of course, no solar energy system would function without solar panels. These devices, commonly made of silicon or thin-film materials, are designed to directly convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. The typical residential setup involves mounting 10-30 solar panels on your roof oriented to maximize sunshine exposure throughout the seasons. Larger commercial arrays may have hundreds of panels installed over parking canopies or ground areas.
Mounting Structures
Solar panels need something sturdy yet flexible to rest upon – that’s where mounting structures come in. Homeowners usually opt for professional designed roof racking systems securely fastened with mounting hardware rated for your climate zone’s wind loads. Ballasted or ground-mounted setups may use heavy-duty metal pedestals for commercial/industrial arrays not possible on rooftops. Durable horizontal or tilted arrays can be oriented optimally for sun path tracking.
Inverters
A critical innovation allowing the practical use of solar energy is the solar inverter. This component changes the direct current (DC) electricity generated by panels into standard alternating current (AC) used by typical home or business circuits. Microinverters attached directly under each panel have grown popular versus larger central string inverters for the whole system – they eliminate shading performance losses. Look for high-efficiency inverters warrantied for at least 10 years.
Solar Batteries
Batteries extend a solar energy system’s capabilities by storing power generated during the day for use when the sun isn’t shining. Options range from portable battery banks to sophisticated battery banks boosting whole-home resiliency. Lithium-ion batteries are preferred for solar due to safety and cycle life improvements over older lead-acid types. Sizing batteries properly for backup power needs requires consulting a solar professional.
Charge Controller
As the traffic light of solar power flow, the charge controller prevents overcharging solar batteries which could damage them. It regulates how much current flows between panels and batteries based on battery voltage levels. Most newer solar energy system pair microinverters or optimizers with integrated controls eliminating separate charge controllers for simplified setups.
Metering Equipment
Bi-directional meters or their networking components are necessary if selling excess solar power back to the grid, especially with larger solar+storage systems. Traditional single direction meters cannot account for electricity flowing both onto and off the property. Net metering credits are calculated correctly to be applied as balance offsets each billing cycle.
Wiring
DC and AC cables ferry power between all components safely and code-compliantly. Copper or aluminum conductor cables connect panels in series strings to the inverter( input side) and then from the inverter to the main service panel/load centers (output side). Waterproof conduit, fittings and junction boxes protect outdoor wiring from weathering over the system’s lifespan.
Mounting Accessories
Extra hardware secures solar components steadily against typical environmental stresses like wind, snow and sunlight degradation. PV module frame grounding kits, panel rail clips and customized mounting brackets hold panels, optimizers and other electronics in place on rack systems or flat commercial roofs securely. Monitoring sensors may also attach to optimize performance.
Monitoring Equipment
Communicating the solar energy system’s energy production in real-time requires handy monitoring interfaces. Integrated inverters increasingly have built-in cellular modems transmitting daily generation amounts wirelessly to free monitoring portals accessible anytime online or via mobile apps. Submetering applications further track behind-the-meter electricity consumption.
Solar Trackers
For those wanting maximum solar harvest year-round, single-axis or dual-axis solar trackers precisely position panels toward the sun throughout the day. More complex than fixed-tilt setups yet still reliably ensuring panels convert the highest percentage of sun rays hitting their surfaces into useable electricity to maximize ROI over time.
In summary, understanding each core solar technology component and how they seamlessly interconnect is key to appreciating how photovoltaics realistically generate clean power for homes, businesses, schools and more anywhere utility grids reach. Reach out if you need any advice selecting equipment for your own prospective solar project!