It
is indeed gratifying to know that most world countries
have now agreed that unless the global warming is
immediately controlled and the greenhouse effect is
drastically reduced by generating electricity through
solar energy only, the world is going to face a terrible
catastrophe in the not too distant foreseeable future.
However, few nations have shown real concern to this
universal peril other than the United States where
efforts appear on a war footing to encourage
residential solar energy use in every
home. Instances include the California Solar
Initiative’s “Million Solar Roofs program by 2017” that
carries incentives for every home to have residential
solar power within the targeted
year.
Residential
solar energy may be provided in two major ways or
methods. While one of them includes the use of
conventional solar panels set up at strategic points
that get sunlight most of the day, the other involves
changing the basic construction of the house where such
panels work as a part of the edifice. As for the
conventional method that uses solar panels which
basically consist of a cluster of photovoltaic (PV)
cells, there are a few variations needing
elaboration.
Crystalline
Silicon Solar Cell panel consist of a transparent plate
glass surface, a ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulent,
and a Tedlar back layering – all arranged conveniently
in an aluminum outer frame. As soon as the sunrays hit
the crystalline silicon solar panel, the orderly
arrangement of atoms helps convert the sunlight into DC
electric current. An inverter provided with the system
automatically transforms the DC power to usable 120 volt
AC current. A battery bank specially provided for the
unit stores unutilized electricity with the help of a
charge controller or the surplus current goes to the
utility (if the system is grid-tied) as salable
power.
Yet
another variation called the Thin Film Solar panel is a
less expensive type of solar panel as it uses less
semiconductor material. This technology is again
available in three basic forms that include amorphous
Silicon (a-Si); cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper
indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). Most of these produce
high efficiency modules that can be installed directly
onto the roofing shingles, enhancing the modular effect
of the building.
In
certain cases, String-ribbon that combines conventional
crystalline silicon and thin film technology is also
used as a means to produce residential solar energy. It
involves a high temperature, molten process that
contributes to a two-fold yield as compared to
conventional solar cell
construction.
Now,
a word or two regarding the PV or photovoltaic system
that requires, apart from the basic solar panel, a
flexible mounting structure to tilt the panel
appropriately to the sun so that its entire area can
receive the sunrays adequately, an inverter to convert
the DC current generated by the device to usable 120
volt AC current, a storage appliance to stock up the
unused current that may be required during the night and
a user-friendly charge controller for optimum regulation
of the battery function.
As
a rule, users of PV systems usually prefer Grid-tie
systems that are interconnected to the utility network
which serve two purposes. Firstly, it helps drawing
power when the sky is cloudy and solar power generation
drops down perceptively or during the night when there
is no generation at all. But the second purpose is more
significant and involves economic factors that create
credit for the owner of the system since a large part of
the unused power generated by the system goes back to
the grid/utility as salable power. This causes fantastic
reduction of electricity bills since the credit
accumulated on account of the supply of the surplus
electricity to the grid is offset against the chargeable
units of electricity used by the
consumer.
Off-grid
residential solar energy is used in homes situated at
remote places, log cabins in the woods or tents pitched
in the wilderness. Basically considered as stand-alone
power generating system, they require battery back up to
ensure power when the weather abruptly turns cloudy as
also at night time. In certain
hybrid off-grid PV systems, gasoline, propane or diesel
generated power provide electricity when everything
fails.
Since
most state as well as federal governments are providing
incentives galore, and with a little bit of planning one
can earn money by selling electricity to the utility or
grid, there seems to be no reason as to why everyone
should not opt for residential solar
energy, especially since the raw material is
available free and the running cost is absolute
zero.
So
are you ready to opt for solar energy – there are simply
too many advantages to ignore it. What you need is a
training guide – a manual, that will let you learn how
to install a system. You will also need to know a few
other things such as what is the best place to set up
the system, where to buy the parts, how to get free
batteries, safety precautions and also wiring the
system. Get informed and you are ready to install solar
system in your home.
