Solar PV system
Solar PV system
{Photovoltaic systems, also|The Photovoltaic Systems, commonly|Photovoltaic system, often} {known|referred to|referred} {as solar power systems|by the name of solar power systems|in the field of solar power}{ or|, or} PV {systems|system|Systems}, are {electric|electrical|electronic} power systems that {use|make use of|utilize} {solar energy to produce|solar energy to generate|sunlight to generate} {usable|useful} {power|energy}. It is {composed of several|comprised of a variety of|made up of several} {components|elements|parts}. {These include|They include|It includes} {solar panels that absorb sunlight and convert it|solar panel panels which absorb light and transform it|the solar panels, which absorb sun light to convert} {into|to} electricity{, a solar converter to| and a solar converter that can| as well as a solar convertor to} {turn|change|convert} the {output|power output} from direct current {to|into} {alternating, and mounting,|alternation, as well as mounting,|the alternating current, and mounting} {cabling and other electrical accessories|cables and other electrical components|cabling , and other electrical equipment}. {A solar tracking system may|Solar tracking systems can|A solar tracking system could} be {used to enhance|utilized to improve|employed to boost} the {system’s overall performance|overall performance of the system}. It {could also include|may also incorporate|could also comprise} {an integrated battery|batteries that are integrated|the battery itself}.
{The PV system converts light directly|It converts sunlight directly|This system transforms light} {to|into} electricity. {They are not to|It is not to|They should not} be confused {or misunderstood with|with or misunderstood by|or misunderstood in relation to} other solar technologies{ such as| like|, such as} concentrated solar power{,|} solar thermal,{ which is|} {used for heating and cooling|utilized for cooling and heating|used to heat and cool}. The visible {portion|part|component} {of a solar array|that makes up a solar system|in a solar panel} {is|are|comprises} {the solar|that of the|made up of solar} panels. {It does not|This does not|It doesn’t} {include|comprise|contain} {the rest of the hardware|the other hardware|all the other components of the system}. {This is often called|This is sometimes referred to as|It is also known as} {balance of system|the balance of system|Balance of System} (BOS).
There are {many types|a variety|numerous types} {of PV systems|of solar PV system|that PV technology can be found}, {from|ranging from} {small rooftop-mounted systems to larger|small rooftop-mounted systems , to|tiny rooftop-mounted systems to}{, more powerful power stations| powerful power stations| and more powerful power plants} {with hundreds of megawatts to|that can produce hundreds of megawatts, to|with hundreds of megawatts up to} {large, utility-scale power plants|huge, utility-scale power stations|massive, utility-scale power plants}. {Most PV systems today|The majority of PV systems|Today, most PV systems} {are connected to the grid|connect to grid|have been connected to grids}{, but|, however|. However,} {a few stand-alone or off-grid|some stand-alone or off-grid|there are a few off-grid or stand-alone} systems {make up a small|comprise a tiny|account for a small} {percentage|portion|percent} {of the|of|in the overall} market.
The {silent operation of|quiet operation of|operation is silent for} PV systems {is without|has no|is free of} moving parts{ and no|, and there are no| or} {environmental emissions|emission of carbon dioxide|pollution to the environment}. {They have evolved|They have grown|They’ve evolved} from niche {market applications to|applications to|market applications into} {a mainstream|an industry standard|an established} technology {for electricity generation|to generate electricity|that generates electricity}. Rooftop systems {can recoup|can pay for|are able to recover} the {cost of manufacturing|cost of production|costs of manufacturing} and installation {in|within} 0.7 to 2 {year and|years and|years. They} {produce about|generate around|produce around} 95{% of net|% of the net| percent of net} renewable energy {over their 30-year|during their 30 year|in their 30-year} {lifespan|duration|timeframe}.
{Prices for photovoltaic systems have|The cost of photovoltaic systems has} {fallen rapidly since their introduction|dropped rapidly since their introduction|decreased rapidly since their invention} {due to the rapid growth|because of the rapid expansion|because of the rapid growth} {of this|in this type of|the} technology. {They vary depending on the|Prices vary based on the|They differ based on} market and the {size system|size of the system|type of system}. {Prices|The cost} for {residential 5-kilowatt systems|residential systems of 5 kilowatts|5-kilowatt residential systems} {were|included|was} \$3.29 {per unit|for each unit sold|to each} {in|across|within} the United States in 2014. {Today, solar PV modules|Solar PV modules today|Presently, solar PV modules} {make up|comprise|are} less than {half the overall|a quarter of the total|half of the total} {system cost|cost of the system|costs of the system}. The {rest|remainder|remaining} is left to {BOS-components|BOS components|BOS-related components}{, soft costs and| and soft costs, as well as| soft costs,} {customer acquisition|the acquisition of customers|acquisition of customers}. {These include|This includes|They include} inspection, interconnection{ and labor|, and labor| and labour} costs.
A Solar PV System: The Essentials
Solar PV systems {can be|could be|may comprise} {any combination of solar panels|the combination of any solar panel|an array of panels} {and|as well as} the {hardware required to allow|equipment required to let|necessary hardware to allow} the {energy flow|flow of energy|energy to flow} through them. Inverters are also {available|offered|readily available}.
They {can use|may use|may employ} string inverters{ or microinverters depending| or microinverters based|, or microinverters, based} on the {system, but|particular system, however|specific system, however} the {fundamental makeup|basic structure|foundational structure} {of all PV systems|for all PV system|that all PV units share} is {the exact|the|exactly the} same.
What does solar energy do in a PV system?
{Solar panels convert photons|Photons from solar panels are converted|The solar panel converts photons} (light particles)into {electricity|electrical energy|electric energy}. This is {known as the photovoltaic process|called the photovoltaic procedure|called photovoltaic}.
Photovoltaic (PV){, when| is when| When} {a photon strikes|the photon hits|an incidental photon is absorbed by} {a device|an object|the device} {that converts energy to|which converts energy into|that converts energy into} {local electrons, the|local electrons. The|locally charged electrons. This} energy {of|from} {the photon is transferred|the light source is transmitted|that photon gets transferred} {to the|to|into the} material. {These excited electrons produce|The excited electrons create|The excited electrons generate} {an electric current|the electric charge|electricity}.
The solar cells {within|inside|in} the panels {produce|generate} {direct current electricity|directly current electric power|direct current power} (DC){, which| that| which} is {usually|typically|often} {converted by an inverter to|transformed by an inverter into|transformed by an inverter} {alternating current|AC} {electricity|electric power|electrical power} (AC). {It can then be sent|The electricity is then sent|It is then transmitted} {back to an electric|into an electrical|through an electric} grid{ that operates|, which operates| operating} {with|using|by using} AC {electricity|electricity}.
This is the {detailed|complete|full} explanation. The three {main|major|primary} {steps that make up|steps involved in|elements that comprise} the {operation of solar panels|solar panel’s operation} {are|include}:
- The solar cells {in|of|inside} solar {panels absorb sunlight|panels absorb light|panel absorb sun’s rays}{,|} which {causes electricity to|allows electricity to|triggers electricity} flow.
- {An inverter converts|Inverters convert} DC {electricity into|power into|electric power to} AC {electricity|electricity}.
- {This electricity is used for|The electricity used is for|This electricity is used to meet} {current energy needs in|the current energy requirements in|actual energy requirements at} the {customer’s home|home of the customer|customer’s residence}. {Any excess electricity that|Any surplus electricity that|The excess electricity} {the customer does not use|is not used by the customer|the consumer does not utilize} is {exported|sold|sent} to{ a|} grid.
What happens to the energy a PV system produces?
Grid-connected solar {installations are the norm|panels are the norm|installations are common} for {most solar customers|the majority of solar users|the majority of solar consumers} in America. Their {home is connected with|homes are connected to} the {electric grid|grid of electricity}. This {allows them to consume|lets them consume|lets them use} more {energy than their solar installations|energy than the solar panels|power than their solar panels} {are producing, such as|produce, for instance|generate, like} {during a rainy or night|in the event of a night or rainy day|when it is rainy or dark}.
{This also means that|It also means that|Also,} {if their PV system produces|the PV system they are using produces|when their PV system generates} {more energy than|greater energy that|excess energy over what} they {need|require|actually need}{, the excess energy can| this energy could| and they have excess energy, it can} be {sent back|returned} to the grid{ to|, to} be {used by others|utilized by other users|utilized by other people}.
Net Metering
Net metering is {a policy|a method|an option} {that compensates|which compensates|that pays} customers {for excess energy so|for energy usage that is excessive so|who consume excess energy so that} they {can offset future|can offset any future|are able to offset future} {electricity costs from|electric costs that are incurred by|energy costs by removing them from} the grid. It is {common|commonplace|a common practice} {in|across|throughout} the U.S.
{The net metering system|Net metering} {has been a major factor|is a key factor|has been a major element} in {solar energy’s cost-effectiveness|the efficiency of solar energy’s costs|the cost-effectiveness of solar energy}. We are {starting to see|beginning to see|beginning to notice} changes {in|within the|to} [xfield_company] that implements net-metering across the {country|nation|United States}. {Many of these changes reduce|A lot of these changes decrease|These changes can reduce} the value {solar customers get|solar users get|that solar customers receive} from their solar {installations|panels|systems}.
Feed-in Tariffs
Feed-in tariffs {can be used|are a way|may be used} to {compensate solar customers|pay solar customers back|reimburse solar customers} for {electricity they send|the electricity they supply|the power they transmit} to the grid {from certain|from specific|in certain} {areas|regions|locations}.
What are the parts of a photovoltaic system?
{Other than|Apart from|In addition to} the solar panels{, there are a number| There are a variety| in the solar panel system, there are a multitude} of {important components to|essential components in|other important elements to} {a photovoltaic system|the photovoltaic system|the photovoltaic systems}. {These are often|They are commonly|They are usually} {referred to as|called|described as}{ the balance of the system| BOS, or the balance of system|”balance of system”}{ or|, or} BOS. Wiring, {Inverters|inverters} (racking){,|} and combiners{, electric meters and| electrical meters, as well as| electronic meters as well as} circuit breakers are {examples|a few examples|some examples} of these {elements|components|parts}{, which typically account for| that typically make up| that usually account for} more than half {of the|of|the} {system cost and the majority|costs of the system and the bulk|costs for the system, and the majority} of{ the|} maintenance.
Solar Panels
{A solar panel is|The solar panel|Solar panels are} {made up|composed|comprised} of {several|a number of|numerous} solar cells {that have|with|that possess} semiconductor properties{ and are protected| and are shielded|, and are protected} from {the elements by|elements by|environmental elements with} {a material|the use of a material|an outer layer of}. {These properties allow the cells|The properties of the cells allow them|These properties enable the cells} to absorb light{ or,|, or} {more precisely, photons from|specifically, photons from|more specifically, photons emitted by} sunlight and {convert|transform} them into {electricity using|electricity by|electrical energy using} {a process|an process|an operation} {known as the photovoltaic effect|called the photovoltaic effect|called the photovoltaic effects}. {Along either corner|On either side|In the corners} of the semiconductor{, there|} is {a layer of conductive materials|an insulating layer|an area of conductive material}. {This conducts the generated electricity|The conductive materials conduct the electricity generated|This conducts the electricity that is generated}. The {lighted side|side that is lit|light side} of the panel {has|is coated with|is covered with} {a pro coating to reduce|an anti-reflective coating that reduces|an anti-reflective coating to minimize} reflection losses. {Crystalline silicon is the|The|It is the} most {common|popular|well-known} {type|kind} {of solar panel|that solar panels are made of|for solar panels}. It {has|is thought to have} {a theoretical efficiency limit at|an efficiency of|an estimated efficiency of} 33% {to convert|for converting|in order to convert} {sunlight into electricity|the sunlight to electricity|sunshine into electric power}. Other {semiconductor materials and solar cells|semiconductors and solar cells|semiconductors and solar cell} {technologies are available that have|technology are available with|technology are also available, which have} {higher efficiencies but come at|greater efficiency, but at|higher efficiency but have} {a higher manufacturing cost|an increased cost of manufacturing|the cost of production}.
Inverters
An inverter{, an electrical|, a| is an electrical} device that {accepts|takes|receives} {electric current in the form|electric current in the form of|electric current that is in the form of} direct current (DC){, and converts| and converts| and transforms} it into {alternating current|AC.|the alternating current} (AC){, is called| which is known as| it is referred to as} an inverter. {This means that|That means|It means} the DC current {from|generated by|that is generated by} {a|the} solar {array is|panel is|array gets} fed {to|into} an inverter{, which|, and it| that} {converts|transforms} {it into|the current into|to} AC. This conversion is {required|needed|necessary} {to power most|to power|for the power supply of} electronic devices {and interface with|as well as interface with|and connect to} the {electricity grid|grid of electricity|power grid}. Inverters are {essential for|the most important component of|essential to} {nearly all|almost all|the majority of} {solar energy systems|system that use solar power|renewable energy sources}. {They are often|They are typically|They’re often} the most {expensive component,|costly component|costly part,} {after the solar panels|following the solar panels|just like solar panels}.
Inverters {with conversion efficiencies greater|that have conversion efficiency greater|with conversion efficiency higher} than 90% {have important|are equipped with important|come with vital} {safety features such as|security features like|safety features , such as} {ground fault circuit interruption|the ground fault circuit interrupter|Ground fault circuit interruption}{ and| as well as|, and} Anti-islanding. They {shut down|stop|will shut down} the PV system {if|in case|when} there is a {loss|disruption|drop} {in grid power|of grid energy|to grid electricity}.
Racking
Racking is the {method of|process of|method for} fixing {the solar array|solar panels} to the ground{,|} or {to a rooftop|on a roof|to a roof}. {These devices, which are|The devices,|These devices,} {typically made from|usually made of|mostly made of} {aluminum or steel|steel or aluminum}{, mechanically fix| and mechanically attach| that mechanically secure} {the panels to the|solar panels onto the|them to} {ground or rooftop|roof or ground|rooftop or ground} {with high precision|with precision|using high-precision}. Racking systems {must|need to|have to} be {able to withstand severe|strong enough to withstand extreme|able to endure extreme} weather conditions{ such as| like|, such as}{ tornado-force winds and|} {high|large|massive} {snow accumulations|snowfalls}. To {prevent electrocution, racking|avoid electrocution, racking|prevent electrocution, rack} systems {must be electrically bonded|should be electrically connected|must be electrically linked} and {grounded|connected} {to the solar array|with the array of solar panels|in the solar array}.
Rooftop {racking systems come|racks come|rack systems are available} in two {types|varieties|forms}{: flat roof systems or| of roofs: flat roof systems and| that are flat roof systems or} {pitched roof systems|pitch roofs|roofing systems with pitched pitches}. {Weighted ballast is commonly used|Ballast that is weighted is typically used|Ballasts that are weighted are typically installed} on flat {rooftops to hold|roofs to support|roofs in order to hold} the range {to|up to|until} the ceiling {by|using|via} gravity. {Pitched roofs should|Roofs with pitched roofs must|Pitched roofs must} be {mechanical means attached|fixed with mechanical devices|connected mechanically} to the {racking|rack} system. Ballast {or robotic anchors can|anchors or robotic anchors could|or robotic anchors may} be used to {secure|anchor} {ground-mounted PV systems|PV systems that are mounted on the ground}. Trackers that {use|make use of|utilize} {motors or detectors to follow|sensors or motors to track|sensors or motors to follow} the Sun {through space are also|across space are|throughout space are} examples of ground-mounted {racking|rack} systems. This {increases energy generation|can increase energy production|generates more energy} {while decreasing equipment maintenance costs|and reduces maintenance costs for equipment|while reducing maintenance costs}.
Other Components
{Combiners, disconnects and breakers|Breakers, disconnects, and combiners|Combiners, disconnects , breakers}{, meters, and wiring| meters, as well as wiring| meters, wiring, and combiners} are the {remaining components|other components|remaining elements} of {a|the} {typical PV system|common PV installation|normal PV setup}. {The solar combiner is a device|Solar combiners are devices|A solar combiner device} {that|which} {combines multiple|connects multiple|integrates several} {electrical cables into|electric cables in|wires into} one. {The majority of|Most} solar combiners {include protection fuses|come with protection fuse|come with protection fuses} and {can be used|are compatible|can be utilized} {with all utility-scale and medium-sized|in conjunction with any utility-scale or medium-sized|for all medium and utility-scale} solar arrays. Disconnects {can be described as|are} {electrical gates or switches that|electronic gates, or switch that|electric gates and switches which} {allow|permit} {manual disconnection|the manual disconnecting|the manual disconnection} of {an electric wire|electric wires}. {These devices are usually|They are typically|They are generally} {used|utilized|employed} {in conjunction with|together with|alongside} an inverter. They {can be found|are usually located|are located} {on|in|at}{ the|”DC disconnect”, or|”DC Disconnect”} “DC disconnect”{,|} {or|as well as the|and} “AC disconnect”{,|} and {provide electrical isolation for|offer electrical isolation|provide electrical isolation} {when an inverter is needed|the time that an inverter needs|the occasion that an inverter has} to be {replaced or installed|installed or replaced|repaired or installed}. {Circuit breakers, or|Breakers, also known as circuit|Circuit breakers, also called} breakers, {protect|safeguard|guard} electrical systems {against over current|from over current|from overcurrent} or surges. {Breakers are designed to|They are made to|The breakers can} {be activated|activate} {automatically when current exceeds|automatically when current is greater than|immediately when current is higher than} {a predetermined level|the predetermined amount|an amount that is predetermined}. {However, they can also|But, they can also|However, they are also able to} be {manually operated and act|operated manually and serve|operated manually, and function} as an additional {disconnect|source of disconnect}.
{An|A|The} Electric Meter measures the energy {passing|that is passing|flowing} through it. It is {used|utilized} {by|in the|to} [xfield_company] to charge customers and {measure|monitor|to measure} {their usage|their use|the usage of their systems}. To {measure the energy generated|determine the amount of energy produced|quantify the power generated} {by solar PV systems|from solar PV system|through solar PV panels}{,|} {a bi-directional battery powered|an bi-directional battery-powered|the bi-directional battery powered} {meter is required|meter is needed|meters is required}. The wiring{, or electrical cables that| or electrical cables that| or electrical cables used to} {transport the electric|transfer the electrical|transmit the} energy between the {components must|two components should|parts must} be {properly sized in order|appropriately sized|properly sized} to {carry|be able to handle|accommodate} the current. {Protective measures must be taken|It is essential to take precautions|Security measures should be taken} {against sunlight exposure|to guard against exposure to sunlight|to protect against sunlight exposure}. Wires {carrying|that carry|that conduct} DC current {may require additional|might require additional|could require further} protection {with metal sheathing|by securing the wire with a metal|using a metal sheathing}.
How does solar PV system efficiency affect?
It is {important that you|crucial to|essential to} {remember that solar energy does|keep in mind that solar energy will|be aware that solar energy does} not {produce electricity at|generate electricity with} 100{%| percent| 100%} efficiency. The {efficiency of a PV system|effectiveness of a PV system|efficiency of a PV panel} {can be|is} affected by environmental {factors|conditions|elements}{, such as| like} {temperature, soiling|the temperature, soiling|temperatures, soiling,} and shading, {as well as|in addition to|and also} {electrical component losses|the electrical component’s losses|loss of electrical components}. {The following are some|Here are a few|Below are some} examples of {loss|losses}:
Temperature: The {efficiency|effectiveness} of solar panels {varies according|is influenced by|differs according} {to their temperature|the temperature|to the temperatures they are}. {Performance can be|The performance of solar panels can be|Performance is} affected by {high temperatures|temperatures that are high|extreme temperatures}.
Soiling{: A layer of material| The layer of material| A layer of substance} that {covers PV panels can|is placed over PV panels could|covers PV panels may} {block|hinder|stop} {sunlight from reaching|the sunlight’s path to|sun’s rays from getting to the} solar cells{ and reduce|, and decrease} the {power generated|amount of power produced}. The amount of {power lost due to|power lost because of|energy lost due to} soiling {can vary depending on|can differ based on|is contingent upon} {how often the panel is|the frequency at which the panel is|how often the panel gets} cleaned {and the type|and also the type|as well as the kind} of soiling (such {snow or dust|dust or snow}).
Shading {refers to the blocking|is the blockage|refers to the obstruction} of sunlight by {trees, buildings|buildings, trees}{, terrain and other objects| or other terrains and objects| as well as other obstacles}. {Variable effects of shading can|The effects of shading may|Different effects of shading could} {have a significant impact on|affect|be significant to} {the solar system’s power output|your solar panel’s output|energy output of the solar system}. This article{ and the| as well as the other|, as well as the} section {in|of} our {PV system losses series|series on PV system losses} {provide great information about|offer valuable information on|give valuable information about} shading.
{Connectivity and wiring|Wiring and connectivity|Connections and wiring}{: A solar installation’s| The| Installations with solar} electrical connections {can cause|can create|may cause} resistance, which {results in|can result in|leads to} energy {losses up to|loss of up to|losses of as much as} {a few percent|just a small percentage|only a fraction of a percent}.
{Mismatch: Modules|Modules that are|Modules that are not} {of the same type|similar to each other|identical to one another} {may|might|could} {have slightly different electrical characteristics|differ in electrical characteristics|have slightly different electrical properties} {due to manufacturing variations|due to variations in manufacturing|because of manufacturing differences}. This {can cause performance problems|could cause performance issues|can lead to performance issues}.
Inverter Efficiency: {An inverter converts|Inverters convert} {DC to AC current|AC to DC current|AC current into DC} {at a rate of 96-97|with a speed of 96-97|at a rate of between 96 and 97}{%| percent}. {When|If} {the|it is the case that|you have a} DC {input power|output power|inverter’s input} is {high|large}{, inverters have| Inverters operate at| inverters perform at} {a higher|greater|an increased} efficiency. {When|If} the {input power is lower|power input is lower|input power is less} than the {rated power|power rating|power rated}{, the conversion efficiency suffers| and the conversion efficiency decreases| then the efficiency of conversion suffers}.
Age: As {they|people|we} {age, solar panels produce|get older, solar panels generate|age, solar panels create} less energy. The {decrease in performance|performance decrease|decline in efficiency} {is usually around|typically is around|generally is about} 0.5{% per annum| percent per year}.
System Derate Factor
The {efficiency|effectiveness} of {a solar panel|the solar panel|solar panels} (or module) {refers to the percentage|is the amount|is measured by the percentage} of sunlight that {a|the} module converts {to electricity under|into electricity under|into electricity in} {standard|normal|typical} conditions (STC{;| with an| and} ambient temperature of {25degC,|25degC;|25 degrees Celsius,} {irradiance|Irradiance of|illumination of} 1000W/m2).
Solar PV System Companies
The most {precise information|accurate information|accurate data} {will be provided by|can be found in|is provided by} our solar panel {cost and savings calculator|calculator for savings and cost|cost calculator and savings calculator}. This will {allow you to|let you|enable you to} {assess the potential solar savings|evaluate the solar savings potential|determine the potential savings from solar} {for your home before|for your home prior to|on your property before} you {make a decision|decide|make a choice}.
[xfield_company] offers independent {reviews and expert ratings|reviews and expert opinions|evaluations and expert ratings} {for more than 3,000|on more than 3000|of more than 3,000} {solar panel businesses|solar panel companies|solar-powered businesses}{, as well as| and| in addition to} {all major brands and models|the top brands and models|every major model and brand}. This {website provides more information|site provides additional information|website offers more details} {on the products and services|about the products and services|on the services and products} of our solar {companies|businesses}.
Get your free quote today
Are you {fed up with|tired of|fed up of} {paying too much for|the high cost of} {electricity in|power in|electric power at} Las Vegas? [xfield_company] is a {solar company that can design|solar firm that designs|solar-powered company that can design} and install the {best|most efficient|top} {solar power systems for your home|energy systems using solar for homes|system of solar energy for the home}. {Get a free quote|Request a no-cost quote|Get a free estimate} and {get|have} {your solar panel installed|the solar panels installed|an installation of your solar system}.