Solar Technology

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Solar Technology

Solar energy is energy from the Sun in the form of heat and light. This energy drives the climate and weather and supports virtually all life on Earth. Heat and light from the Sun, along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for over 99.9% of the available flow of renewable energy on Earth.[1][2]

Solar energy technologies harness the Sun's heat and light for practical ends such as heating, lighting and electricity. These technologies date from the time of the early Greeks, Native Americans and Chinese, who warmed their buildings by orienting them toward the Sun.[3][4]
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Solar power is used synonymously with solar energy or more specifically to refer to the conversion of sunlight into electricity. This can be done with photovoltaics, concentrating solar thermal devices and various experimental technologies.

Photovoltaics (PV) convert sunlight directly into electricity. Photons in sunlight interact with the outermost electrons of an atom. Photons striking the atoms of a semiconducting solar cell free it's electrons, creating an electric current. The Photovoltaic effect was first discovered in the 19th century, and was used by Bell Labs in 1954 to develop the first PV solar cell. PV found its first applications in space, providing electricity to satellites. These early PV cells were produced in small quantities from exotic materials. While early cells were inefficient, converting less than 1% of the incident sunlight into electricity, they quickly increased to 6% when researchers experimented with crystalline silicon, the principal component of sand. Current conversion efficiencies have surpassed 30% in the laboratory, and 15% in large-scale production.

Two main types of silicon cells vie for market share: crystalline and thin-film. Crystalline silicon cells are produced by slowly extracting large crystals from a liquid silicon bath. These crystals are sliced into 1/100th-of-an-inch thick slices, or "wafers", which are processed into solar cells that are then connected and laminated into solar "modules." While this production process yields highly efficient (10-15%) cells, the production process is expensive. Thin-film silicon cells are produced by depositing vaporized silicon directly onto a glass or stainless steel substrate. While the efficiencies achieved are lower than with crystalline silicon, the production process is less expensive. Modules from crystalline cells have a lifetime of over twenty years. Thin-film modules will last at least ten years. Other PV technologies, such as Gallium-Arsenide or Cadmium Telluride, are also being used. These types are highly efficient, but more expensive at the present time.

PV is measured in units of "peak watts"(Wp). A peak watt figure refers to the power output of the module under "peak sun" conditions, considered to be 1000 Watts per square meter. "Sun hours," or "insolation," refers to how many hours of peak sun, on average, exist in different countries. North America averages 3 to 4 peak sun hours per day in summer while eqatorial regions can reach above 6 peak sunlight hours.

Using solar panels is a great way to generate clean and renewable electricity to power remote appliances, or even the average home.

There are two main forms of solar cells in existence today, and these are; "solar electricity panels" and "solar hot water panels". The two different technologies allow us to either generate electricity for our homes or to heat the water we use.

As time goes by, we begin to see new and more efficient solar panel designs. This is making the use of photovoltaic power over fossil fuels, much more viable to homeowners and businesses.

Solar Panels - Roof MountedIt is unlikely we will see heavy industry using photovoltaic electricity for quite some time due to the much larger energy demand industry requires, but who knows where photovoltaic electricity will take us in future years.

As the technologies surrounding the use of photovoltaics improve, we are likely to see a much greater, widespread use of solar cells.






Solar Electricity Panels

Solar (or photovoltaic) cells, are a very useful way of providing electricity to remote areas (as mentioned earlier), where the use of electricity may be important, yet the laying of high voltage cable may not be viable. The best example of the importance of solar energy to provide electricity in remote locations can be found on satellites. For many years, satellites have been using solar panels to catch the suns rays, in order to provide power to the equipment on board.

Solar Electricity Panel

Photovoltaic cells can be aligned as an array, as shown in the image to the top of this page. There are many advantages of using a solar cell array, with various panels fitted along a mounting system. One of the main advantages is that we are able to combine various numbers of cells to provide a greater output of electricity, and this method makes solar electricity a viable option to power small homes and businesses.

The increasing efficiency of solar energy technologies, means we are able to purchase and install panels, knowing we are likely to receive an efficient way of harnessing energy from the suns rays to turn into electricity for use in our homes.

It is quite possible for a household to run completely off photovoltaic electricity from the use of solar panels, yet this is unlikely in most cases. The costs involved with supplying a whole house with electricity from solar energy would be quite high for the average homeowner. However, the use of solar electricity in the average home is still able to provide a substantial amount of electricity, reducing future energy bills.
Solar Panel Installation
Learn more about Installing solar panels

This general information guide to solar panel installation will address the following topics:

* Solar Panel Purchases
* Solar Panel Installation Tips
* Solar Panels and Power Meters

For information on how to install solar panels on a boat or other watercraft, click here.
Where can I purchase solar panels?

You can purchase solar panels from a variety of solar panel producers.Prices change constantly.

You can also buy solar panels securely online, from a wide variety of retailers.
Solar Panel Installation Tips

Solar Panels are typically installed on rooftops, building tops, or stand-alone facilities. It is vital to install your solar panel so that it gets the most direct sun exposure - you want to make sure your solar panel is maximally effective year round. To do this, there are several web-based solar resources to help you properly set up and install your solar panels by tracking the position of the sun in the sky over the course of the year.
Position your solar panel in direct sunlight

Solar Panels perform at optimum capacity when placed in direct sunlight. Try to position your photovoltaic array directly under the noontime sun for maximum efficiency from your photovoltaic unit.
Notice obstructions to sunlight

Remove all items unnessary items or trim branches that may be blocking sunlight to your solar unit. Trace the path of the sun in the sky to determine if an object is casting a shadow over your solar photovoltaic panels. If this is the case, then the operating efficiency of your unit will undoubtedly suffer.
Mounting your Solar Panel

Solar Panel Mounts are used to install photovoltaic solar panels. Solar panel mounts come in three main varieties: pole mounts, roof-ground mounts, and flush mounts. Using these mounts, you can install your solar panel onto an RV, on top of or against the side of a pole, on your roof, or even install them as a free-standing unit. You can learn more about installing solar panels using mounts in our mounts section.
Water pumping with solar panels

A good way to put solar panels to use is to install a solar-powered water pump for your well. Although windmills have traditionally been used to power such systems, a solar-powered system works just as well, and is equally friendly to the environment.
Your Well Pump

It is important to choose a quality well pump for use with your solar powered well pump system, one that makes the best use of your power and doesn't require an inefficient, wasteful transformer. Your well drilling provider is likely to offer you the industry standard well pump, a 220 volt alternating current model. The problem with such a high-voltage pump system is that the required transformer is extremely wasteful and can be a huge strain on your inverter during startup. This can cause the power to home to dip, and the lights to dim, which can cause a full-out inverter failure unless you have a top-quality inverter. Avoid such a high voltage system if you can, and instead, opt for a 120 volt AC model, which is much more efficient and does not put nearly as much of a burden on your inverter.
The Solar Panel

Your solar panel does not have to have a very high wattage rating in order to run your solar pump, just check with your well-drilling company to determine what wattage rating you need from your solar panel. An important consideration when setting up an outdoor solar panel system for your well pump is to ensure that you purchase a mounting rack that offers plenty of clearance between the ground and your solar panel and keep in it an open area away from trees. You don't want any large pets, floodwater, or falling branches to damage your system.
Solar Panels and Power Meters

As you purchase more and more solar panels for your home, your reliance on the city's power grid will progressively decline until your power meter doesn't turn at all. As you continue to buy solar panels, you wonder, what happens beyond that point? What happens on the days when my home produces more energy from solar panels that it needs?

Also, we reccomend using a true sine wave inverter with your solar powered pump system. True Sine wave inverters tend to work better when motors are involved (such as those found in a water pump).

If you are interested in reaping benefits from your solar panel investment, read on to discover how you can turn your power meter backwards for profit.

Mounts (Solar Panel Accessories)
Solar Panel Mounts installation guide

Mounts for your solar photovoltaic system can come in all shapes and sizes; some are stand-alone, others are designed for special situations, such as pole mounts designed to track the sun in the sky for optimal output. We will cover the most common types of solar panel mounts, and you will discover what mount or solar panel rack is best for your photovoltaic system. Considerations that will be addressed include size, affordablility, utility, and convienience.
Types of Solar Panel Mounts

Solar Panel Mounts are available in three primary categories: flush mounts, roof/ground (or universal) mounts, and pole mounts. Each type of solar panel mount has its own merits and disadvantages, and if you are installing a solar panel mount you should weight in these factors when making your final descision.
Flush Mounts

Flush mounts are the cheapest and most simple solar panel mounting solution available, and are achieved by placing a metal end bracket on each side of the solar panel, elevating it several inches from the surface. Flush Mounts are typically used with small solar arrays on rooftops and RVs, because the structural design of a flush mount cannot support large solar panels. When installing a flush mount with your solar panel, be sure that you have ample clearance between the surface of the roof and the underside of your solar panel. This distance should be at a minimum of 2-4 inches, so that air can flow under the unit and keep it cool. This is vitally important for your flush mount system: if you do not allow clearance, your solar unit will rapidly overheat and the functional lifespan will be significantly reduced.

Photovoltaic Solar Panels

Although flush mounts are simple and cheap to install, they offer no flexibility in the orientation of your solar panel, and they can only support small photovoltaic units.

To the left is a typical flush mount.
Roof-Ground (Universal) Mounts

Roof-Ground solar panel mounts are typically used with larger solar panel systems, or in areas away from the city electric grid. Roof-Ground mounts are called by that name because they can be installed both on the ground and on rooftops. Roof-Ground mounts are typically constructed by a grid-like system of supports, and are typically bulky and unsightly, and many cities and neighborhoods have shamefully passed ordinances against them for asthetic reasons. You would be wise to consult with your residential director before installing a roof-ground solar panel mount.

There are many ways to install custom roof-ground mounts or increase the heights of your system by adding poles or concrete blocks to elevate your system above plants and vermin on the ground.

Many Roof-ground mounts are adjustable, and if you change the tilt of your solar panel at the prescribed 1/4 year interval, your system will produce a little more power than a standard unit.

Roof-ground systems are more expensive than flush mounts, and they may be difficult to install on rooftops due to heavy wind resistance or city ordinances, but they may be your only solution if you have a paticularly large solar panel system.
Pole Mounts

Photovoltaic Solar Panels

Pole mounts are divided into 3 subcategories: top of pole mounts, side of pole mounts, and poll tracking mounts. These poll mounts are differentiated by how they are positioned on the pole.

Pictured is a typical top-of-pole mount.

Top of Pole Mounts are comprised of a metal rack and rail unit that is bolted to a large sleeve that rests on top of the pole. In order to install a top of pole mount, you will need to use an existing pole at least 3-8 inches wide with a concrete base, or construct one yourself. The mount simply slips over the top of the pole, and you can bolt (or weld) your solar panel unit into place.

Large Top of pole mounts can encounter a substantial measure of wind resistance and can be very heavy, so you may need a small crane or several able-bodied men at hand in order to install a large top-of-pole system.

Side of Pole Mounts are typically fastened and bolted to the side of telephone or utility poles. Side of pole solar panel mounts typically involve small solar panels, for larger units, it is reccomended that you use a top of pole solar panel mount.

Tracking pole mounts are top of pole mounts with a special function - tracking pole mounts track the motion of the sun in the sky throughout the course of the day. This maximizes the operating efficiency of the solar panel unit.