How Solar Electric Systems Work
The photovoltaic (electric producing) systems designed and installed today are much more simple than those we have seen in the past. The current systems are composed of solar panels, mounting hardware, inverters and a tie in to your existing electrical system. During the day when the photovoltaic system is producing electricity it is offsetting the electrical use of your business. When there is excess electricity produced your electric meter is ‘spinning backwards’ giving you a credit and sending clean electricity to the grid. On cloudy days or at night electricity to your business is supplied from the conventional electrical grid. Using a solar photovoltaic system and energy conservation methods can help to decrease you electric bills and your reliance on conventional fossil fuel electrical sources.
Components that make up a PV system.
A. Solar panels – are basically arrays of photovoltaic cells. Currently there are three different types:
- Monocrystalline - Most efficient and most costly type of panel. They are made from a single large crystal.
- Polycrystalline - Slightly less efficient, these are made from blocks of silicon, that usually contain many small crystals.
- Amorphous – Least efficient and least costly type of panel. These panels, because of there efficiency are larger in size. These are made by spreading silicon on a large plate (Stainless steel for example).
All three types of panels produce electricity in the same manner. While monocrystalline are more expensive, because of their smaller size, they often require less hardware to install. Call Midwest Energy Products so we can find which system works well for you.
B. Mounting Hardware – How the panels are attached.
- Roof mount – Depending on your roofs orientation, this is the most cost effective type of installation.
- Pole mount – This is used when a roof design is not suitable for optimal electric production. Pole mounts can be as simple as a fixed array system, or as complicated as a fully automated sun tracking system for maximum output.
C. Inverters – Solar panels produce DC power. The power coming into your building from the utility is AC power. The inverter converts the DC power to AC power to be compatible with the needs of your household appliances. We use two different types of inverters. One method is to install the inverter near the electrical panel in the building with DC current running from the PV array to the inverter. The second method uses micro inverters installed on the individual PV panels and AC current is run from the array to the building electrical panel.
D. Electrical panel connection, battery backup systems and electrical meter.
For more information please contact us.