How Effective Are Solar Panels In Less
Solar panels work in the absence of direct sunlight, but they dont produce as much energy. So how much energy will they produce? And will it be enough energy to keep your lights on and your appliances running?
On a cloudy day, you can expect solar panels to produce between 10 and 25% of their usual output. What if this isnt enough to power your home? Will you be left in the dark?
Rest assured, you wont find yourself in the dark if you choose to install solar panels.
First, as a resident of the Albuquerque area, you actually do enjoy rather ideal conditions for solar energy. Sunny days 300 of them a year, in factare the norm in Albuquerque. Whats more, the average sunny day in Albuquerque includes between 6.4 and 8.8 peak sun-hours. This is well in excess of the minimum four peak sun-hours necessary for effective solar energy production.
Second, when an unusually cloudy day strikes, two solutions will keep your lights on and your appliances humming. These are net metering and solar battery storage.
These same solutions, in fact, will keep your energy supply steady. But the real question is, do solar panels work at night?
The Cost Of Solar Energy
Concurrent with an increase in solar efficiency, the cost of solar panels has fallen substantially. In the last decade alone, the cost of a solar panel installation fell over 60 percent, and many industry experts predict that prices will continue to fall in the years to come:
Additionally, depending upon where you live, several rebates or incentives for solar power may contribute towards lowering the cost of solar energy even further. Nationwide, the federal Investment Tax Credit is one of the primary incentives available to anyone interested in solar energy, as it allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar array system from your federal taxes. This incentive won’t last forever – in 2023, the federal ITC steps down to 22%, and then goes away completely for residential solar installations in 2024.
Many states and utilities offer further incentives in addition to the federal ITC, dropping the cost of solar power even further.
How Do You Find A Reliable Solar Panel Supplier
Given the rise in popularity of solar panels and the amount of savings it promises, various suppliers have been popping up on social media promising to delivering results. As enticing as a package could be, dont just go for the most affordable option. Do your research, look up reviews, and if you can, schedule a meeting with the supplier.
The supplier should be easy to communicate with and doesnt shy away from oculars and on the spot assessment. They should also be on time as this means they value you as a client. Pick a good company profile and background, plus, the installers should have a license. You can also ask for referrals from friends and relatives, suggests Paul.
IMAGE courtesy of Paul Carlo Baes
In photo: The Baes family
If you are ready to invest in solar panels, Paul shares the following reminders:
1. The initial capital and investment needed do not come cheap. You need to save money for this asset as its also another medium to further diversify your finances.
2. Inverter appliances can help you reach your zero-bill goal without further increasing your load cap.
3. Even though keeping the AC on 24/7 is achievable with this system, its still better to save on energy and use only what you need.
4. Solar setup is an investment so dont fall for too good to be true offers.
5. Research and compare packages. Make sure the packages you review include safety features.
To get started on your search for a reliable solar panel supplier, click here.
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How Do Solar Panels Work Step By Step Overview Of The Solar Generation Process
Solar power generation starts when solar panels absorb photons, or particles of light, with photovoltaic cells, generating this direct current energy and then converting it to usable alternating current energy with the help of inverter technology. AC energy then flows through the homes electrical panel and is distributed accordingly. The main steps for how solar panels work for your home are:
How Do Solar Panels Work To Generate Electricity
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How Do Solar Panels Work On Houses
Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells, usually after being placed on the roof of a house. The panels convert this sunlight into direct current energy which travels inside the house to an inverter, which in turn converts it to alternating current energy, which then flows through the homes electrical panel powering any appliances with electricity. Any excess electricity will be sent off to the electric grid, which in turn provides you with the electricity needed if you use more than the panels create.
Thats a lot to take in all in one go, so heres your four-step overview:
How Are Solar Panels Mounted
Solar panels can be mounted to just about any homes roof when the appropriate hardware and methods are used by the installer. Panels can also be mounted on ground . Due to the need for trenching and a more comprehensive racking structure, ground-mount installations tend to be more expensive than a roof-mounted installation.
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How Does Weather Affect Solar Energy
Weather conditions can impact the amount of electricity a solar system produces, but not exactly in the way you might think.
Perfect conditions for producing solar energy include a clear sunny day, of course. But like most electronics, solar panels are actually more efficient in cold weather than warm weather. This allows the panel to produce more electricity in the same amount of time. As the temperature rises, the panel generates less voltage and produces less electricity.
But even though solar panels are more efficient in cold weather, they don’t necessarily produce more electricity in the winter than in summer. Sunnier weather often occurs in the warmer summer months. In addition to fewer clouds, the sun is usually out for more of the day. So even though your panels may be less efficient in warm weather, they’ll still likely produce more electricity in summer than in winter.
Extreme Hot Or Cold Temperatures
Solar panels work by absorbing the light from the sun not the heat from the sun and turning it into usable electricity. PV Semiconductors offer more resistance in extreme heat, making them less efficient when the modules should be most efficient. Thankfully, the amount of resistance is small, at most, reducing efficiency by about 10 percent. As for cold weather, solar panels will function normally as long as they are receiving the proper amount of sunlight.
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Can People Really Save Money With Solar Panels
Yes. Not only does a solar energy system add substantial value to your home the minute its up and running, it often pays for itself and then some!
Twenty-year electricity savings from solar can be significant, ranging from the low end of $10k to almost $30k, according to EnergySage.
If you follow that math and please keep in mind your savings will vary, depending on factors like your typical electricity cost, average sunlight in your region, and the scale of your system you install depending on the final cost of your system after federal, state, and local incentives, in as little as seven-and-a-half years, your system will have paid for itself.
Few major purchases can claim such an impressive return on investment.
Looking at these numbers, the conclusion is clear: Solar isnt just the right choice for the planet it can also be the smart choice for your wallet. Whatever fossil fuel companies may claim.
The benefits of solar dont end with lower power bills. Cutting carbon pollution? Check. Empowering communities? Check. Creating good jobs? Check and check.
And all thats before we even get to solars part in transitioning to a clean energy economy and avoiding some of the worst possibilities of climate change. Like increasing extreme weather and the terrible and terribly expensive destruction that can come with it.
Learn more about the benefits of renewable energies like solar by downloading our free new fact sheet, Climate 101: What Is Renewable Energy?
How Does Grid Connection Work With Solar Panels
Though electricity generation with solar panels may make sense to most people, theres still a lot of general confusion about how the grid factors into the home solar process. Any home that is connected to the electrical grid will have something called a utility meter that your utility company uses to measure and supply power to your home. When you install solar panels on your roof or on a ground mount on your property, they are eventually connected to your homes utility meter. The production of your solar systems renewable energy can actually be accessed and measured by this meter.
Most homeowners in the U.S. have access to net metering, a major solar incentive that significantly improves the economics of solar. If you have net metering, you can send power to the grid when your solar system is overproducing in exchange for credits on your electric bill. Then, during hours of low electricity production , you can use your credits to draw extra energy from the grid and meet your household electricity demand. In a sense, net metering offers a free storage solution to property owners who go solar, almost like a battery, making solar an all-in-one energy solution.
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Step : Sunlight Activates The Panels
Each individual panel is constructed of a layer of silicon cells, a metal frame, a glass casing surrounded by a special film, and wiring. For maximum effect, the panels are grouped together into arrays and placed on rooftops or in large outdoor spaces. The solar cells, which are also referred to as , absorb sunlight during daylight hours.
Making Solar Cells Into Solar Panels
To make a solar panel work with some serious grunt, lots of these cells are connected together. A typical configuration would be 60 cells, which would make a solar panel that produces, 60 x 4W = 240W of power.
Each of the 60 cells is wired in series the following diagram show how this works:
When something is wired in series their voltages add up, but their current stays the same. So in our example, the current output of the solar panel will be 8A, but the voltage will be 60 x 0.5V = 30V.
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Do Solar Panels Run Out Of Electrons
Put simply no, it’s not possible. This is because PV panels work by freeing up electrons from the “doped” semiconductor materials within the cell that form a circuit and then return to the semiconductors within the panel.
The same is true for any electrical circuit. Here electrons flow as an electrical current through a closed loop.
“Circuits don’t create, destroy, use up, or lose electrons. They just carry the electrons around in circles.” – wtamu.edu.
The entire device, when exposed to sunlight, generates an electrical circuit that flows in one direction through the PV device, and it’s ancillary components.
More About The Photovoltaic Effect
Lets dig into the photovoltaic effect a little deeper. This principle was first discovered way back in 1839 and is generally associated with semiconductor materials.
The photovoltaic effect simply describes the property by which these materials can generate electricity any time they are exposed to sunlight. Heres a step-by-step summary that explains how solar panels work by employing the photovoltaic effect:
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Does It Need To Be Hot For Solar Panels To Work
Solar cells dont need high temperatures to produce power. While they may produce more power during hotter periods, theyll operate well in cooler temperatures.
Solar energy is used every day in applications from passive heating systems like swimming pool covers. These applications get power through photovoltaic arrays that provide electricity directly or indirectly from sunlight.
A meter of snow cover can reduce annual PV output by about 25%.
How Do We Know if Solar Panels Are Hot?
Solar panels produce maximum power when exposed to direct sunlight and become less efficient as they heat up during operation. The temperature at which photovoltaic cells work optimally is 25°C .
Their temperature reduces by 2% for every 1°C rise above optimum temperature. Since solar cells can only produce electricity and not absorb heat, keep the solar modules cool for optimum power generation.
The Science Behind Solar Panels
Solar power works by utilising a chemistry phenomenon known as the photovoltaic effect. Essentially the photovoltaic effect describes a reaction where certain materials generate an electrical current when exposed to sunlight. Silicon is well known for these properties and thats why its used in nearly all types of solar panels.
In contrast, traditional power generation systems rely on an energy source to spin a turbine, in turn charging a generator that creates an electrical current prime examples are coal power plants, wind turbines and hydroelectricity plants.
Do we still have you on board? This video may help
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Solar Energy + Battery Storage Electric Vehicles And More
The rapid proliferation of solar power nationwide and globally has also led to parallel growth in several adjacent areas. Notably, energy storage systems and electric vehicles are two sectors poised to explode alongside solar power by augmenting the benefits of solar.
Given that solar panels can only produce power when the sun is shining, storing produced but unused energy throughout the day for use at a later time has become increasingly important. For instance, solar batteries store electricity and can be drawn on during periods of low solar production. Whats more, solar-plus-storage solutions work for all scales of solar panel installations and provide many added benefits, from energy reliability to grid resiliency and lower-cost power.
Electric vehicles are a second product poised to ride the wave of solar energy adoption. With lower maintenance costs, lower fuel costs, and a lower environmental footprint than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles are set to be an important piece of the automobile industry for years to come. With increasing electric vehicle adoption also comes a growing need for electricity to run the vehicles, a perfect fit for solar energy. Distributed solar installations provide cheap and reliable power for electric vehicles directly from the sun. In a world of increased electrification throughout the home, solar power is one of the most inexpensive, reliable, and cleanest ways to fuel our electrified future.
Solar Energy Is A Renewable Power Source
Solar energy is a clean, inexpensive, renewable power source that is harnessable nearly everywhere in the world – any point where sunlight hits the surface of the earth is a potential location to generate solar power. And since solar energy comes from the sun, it represents a limitless source of power. Renewable energy technologies generate electricity from resources that are infinite. Compare, for instance, producing electricity with renewable resources to doing so with fossil fuels. It took hundreds of thousands of years for oil, gas and coal to form, so every time one of those resources are burned to create electricity, that finite resource is moved marginally closer to depletion. Using a renewable resource – such as wind, solar and hydropower – to generate electricity, does not deplete that resource. There will always be consistent sunlight shining on Earth’s surface, and after turning sunlight into electricity, there is still an infinite amount of sunlight to turn into electricity in the future. That is what makes solar power, by nature, renewable energy.
While the current electricity mix in the United States is still made up largely of fossil fuels like oil and gas, renewable energy sources like solar are steadily becoming a larger part of the country’s energy profile. As the cost of solar and other renewable technologies continues to be competitive.
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What Types Of Material Are Used In Solar Panels
The most common residential solar modules, or solar panels, contain monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cells. Both types of cells produce electricity when exposed to sunlight, however there are some key differences between the two:
- Monocrystalline cells tend to appear darker in color, often black or dark grey
- Polycrystalline cells often appear a dark blue when exposed to light
- You may be able to see small crystalline pieces of silicon melded together to form the wafer in polycrystalline cells
- Monocrystalline cells generate higher panel efficiency
- Monocrystalline cells tend to be more expensive
There are many panel manufacturers that build panels containing both mono and polycrystalline wafers to form solar cells, capable of harvesting energy from a wider spectrum of light. If space is limited on your roof or project site, a higher-efficiency, monocrystalline panel may be preferred, and could result in a better return on investment.
Alternatively, a lower-cost, slightly less efficient, polycrystalline panel may do the job just as well if you have ample roof space on your home. Be sure to ask what type of cell your home solar system design contains this distinction may affect the aesthetics and economics of your project.
