Facts: Solar Electricity
Solar electricity is often associated with solar panels that adorn the roofs of residences. These are photovoltaic panels, abbreviated as PV panels. These panels range in size from a few inches to several feet. The distinctive reflective coating is actually a thin sliver of crystal, which is able to convert sunlight into electrical energy.
How does this conversion occur? The photovoltaic panels convert energy via a chemical reaction, turning the energy into direct-current electricity, otherwise known as a DC current. These cells then feed to several cables that attach to a common channel. The cables all join in one location and connect to an inverter module. This module converts the DC energy current into an alternating current (AC), which can then be used within a home.
The solar energy can be used in an off-grid or grid-tied system. The grid-tied system is the most common. A qualified utility company can change an electric meter for one that is solar-based. These digital meters have the ability to spin in a backwards motion. This ensures that when the system generates more electricity than the home needs, the utility company will pay for the extra energy.
Off-grid systems are designed to be large enough to run a home’s entire electrical system. This is common if someone lives in a remote area that experiences numerous power outages and the homeowner desires to have a self-sustaining electrical system. SolarBOS offers a number of combiner boxes, recombiners, fuse boxes, disconnect and contractor enclosures, power supply assemblies and gateway boxes, compact solutions and string combiner checkers for those people that are interested in converting their homes into those that harnesses solar energy.
How can someone determine if solar energy is right for him or her? This question is best answered by speaking to professional who can take roof pitch, locale and direction into consideration. Even if a roof does not slope in a direction appropriate to obtain the highest yield of solar energy, tilted solar panel racks may be an excellent solution.
Solar electric systems are priced by utility companies on a per-watt basis. This figure can vary depending upon local utility companies, state and federal incentives, rebates, financing options, etc.
Solar power is considered not only an investment in the environment’s future, but also an investment in a home. With the expected decline of conventional energy systems – such as coal, oil and gas – harnessing the sun’s unlimited rays is not only an economical solution, but also one that is extremely practical. It is not only an investment in one’s future, but also an investment in the future of today’s children.