Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource on earth. Enough sunlight strikes the earth in an hour and a half to power the world for a full year. A Solar PV System, takes advantage of this energy to power homes and even businesses. As the electricity is harvested directly from the sun, it is both renewable and sustainable.
The Key Components Of A Solar PV System.
1. Solar Panels
A Solar Panel consists of two layers of semi-conducting materials, typically silicon. When sunlight touches the surface of a Solar panel, the solar cells absorb the packets of energy. Known as photons. This causes the solar cells, to excite and start vibrating. Effectively, this creates an electric field between the layers. Resulting in a green electricity flow. The more light that touches the surface of the Solar Panel, the greater the current produced. This process was first discovered in 1839 by Edmond Becquerel. And is now known as the Photovoltaic effect.
2. An Inverter
The electricity produced from the Solar Panels is in Direct Current (DC). In order to use this domestically, the Inverter changes the type of current. Changing it from DC (Direct Current) to AC (Alternating Current).
3. Battery Storage
Adding Battery Storage to your Solar PV System, allows you to store any surplus (excess) energy. Therefore, any solar energy that your household is currently not demanding will go into your battery system. This stored energy can then be used later when your home is demanding more energy than your Solar Panels can instantly supply. For instance, in the evening when the sun is in.
4. GENERATION METER
Your generation meter, measures how much electricity your Solar PV system is generating. This is recorded in kilowatt hours (kWh). The Feed-in Tariff pays you for every kWh of green electricity that your system generates.
5. Consumer Unit
The Consumer Unit Board controls the distribution of Solar energy throughout your property. It will dictate when additional electricity from the grid is required or when to use stored energy from your battery system.
6. Powering Your Homes
Your green energy is then used to power your home when needed.
7. Import Meter.
Your Import Meter accredits any unused Energy, to and from the Grid.
8. Grid.
Any unused Solar electricity that isn’t stored, is then distributed back to the grid. For example, if your batteries are full or you don’t have a storage system. By exporting your surplus energy back to the grid, you can earn money through an Export Tariff. Essentially, the National Grid pays you for generating renewable energy. Examples of Export Tariffs, include Bulb who offer 5.38p per kWh, and Octopus Energy who has a fixed rate of 5.5p per kWh. This incentive is The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). It was first introduced on the 1st Jan 2020, as an incentive for renewable energy owners.
Here at Deege Solar we plan to combat Global warming 1 Solar Panel at a time. We aim to do this by sharing our knowledge on renewable energy. If this seems too complicated, don’t worry. Our Solar Experts are always on hand to help make Solar Simple. If you would like to have a Free Solar Consultation, simply fill at the or form here click the enquire now button.
