For several homeowners, installing a home solar energy system is a wise financial investment. There are numerous elements to consider when evaluating solar company offers: the equipment you choose for your system, your financing options, and the installation you choose all have an impact on your solar savings. This article will assist you in evaluating the various solar panels and inverters available so that you may select the most appropriate equipment for your home.
A grid-connected solar energy system has two basic components: solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight and an inverter that converts the electricity into a form that can be used in your home. Some come with a monitoring system that lets you know how much energy you’re generating and utilizing.
However, if you don’t know anything about solar power panels, it may be hard to make the best choice.
The basics of solar energy
Solar panels are made up of solar cells that convert solar energy into electricity. Solar inverters convert the DC (direct current) electricity generated into usable AC electricity. Two layers of silicon crystal are sandwiched together to make solar cells.
The top layer is N-type, meaning it has been treated to lose electrons, while the bottom layer is P-type, meaning it has been treated to gain electrons.
When sunlight strikes the solar panel, electrons leave the N-type and enter the P-type, which is ready to accept the electron into its vacant spaces. Other elements are added to provide conductivity, which allows electrons to flow freely within the cell. To generate electricity, electrons are made to flow through a circuit.
What to look for when buying a solar panel?
Solar panels can be judged on three primary criteria: production, durability, and manufacturer quality.
- The quantity of electricity a solar panel can generate is determined by a number of parameters, including its power rating, power tolerance, efficiency, and temperature coefficient. These elements, when added together, will determine how much power your panel can generate.
- You should also look for quality indicators from the panel maker. Start with the manufacturer’s warranties and assurances for their equipment. Solar panels, like everything else, deteriorate and become less efficient over time. Many manufacturers will ensure that their panels’ power output will not decrease below a set level for the next twenty-five years. A number of panel makers also offer a warranty on the materials in case the panels break.
- Most solar panels are extremely durable, but if you live in a location with a lot of snow or severe winds, make sure the panels you install are designed to survive those circumstances. Look for panels that meet the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) 61215 dependability standard (IEC). To assure panel durability, IEC 61215 uses an accelerated outdoor stress test.
Although some individuals may choose the highest-quality, most efficient “premium” panels, keep in mind that they will be more expensive. Going solar is similar to buying a car in that not everyone needs a Porsche. In contrast, if you save money by purchasing inexpensive solar panels, your system may produce less electricity over time, diminishing your overall savings. You are the only one who knows what is best for your home.
Which inverter should you use?
The inverters in your solar energy system’s job are to convert solar energy into something usable. Solar panels convert solar energy into direct current (DC) electricity. The job of the inverter is to convert DC power into alternating current (AC) electricity, which can be used in your home.
String inverters and module-level power electronics are the two main types of inverters (MLPEs). MLPEs include microinverters and power optimization techniques.
- String inverters are the most affordable solar energy system
component. They are usually a fantastic alternative for your home if your system has optimal production conditions. When your solar panel system includes a string inverter, all of the DC power produced by your panels is fed to a single inverter. Your solar energy is ready to use after the inverter converts the DC energy to AC electricity. - MLPEs are much more pricey in general, but they can also be more efficient. If your solar energy system is partly shaded or can’t be positioned at the ideal angle, MLPEs are a viable option. When you utilize microinverters, each panel has its own inverter that converts the energy it generates and sends it to your home. Like microinverters, power optimizers are mounted on every panel, but they are paired with a string inverter. The power optimizer “conditions” the energy, which makes the change from DC to AC easier. The energy is then sent to the main inverter.
Types of battery energy storage
It’s crucial to know what kinds of battery storage technologies are available. Battery manufacturers provide thorough information about their products’ projected life, depth of discharge, and round trip efficiency.
BATTERIES MADE OF LEAD-ACID
The most popular battery type is the lead-acid battery. They work in the same way as car batteries and have been used to supply backup power in blackouts and distant locations.
The following are some of the characteristics:
- A three-to-fifteen-year lifespan (depending on how they are used).
- Using more than 50% of the total charge can reduce the battery’s life lifetime and ability to maintain an 85 percent charge round trip efficiency.
- Approximately 80% of the components are recyclable.
- With well-established safety standards, it’s safe and dependable.
To avoid gas build-up depth of discharge, the battery compartment or room must have excellent ventilation. Cycle life is 50%. (i.e. number of charge-discharge cycles) Operating temperature -10 to 40 degrees for 2,000 to 3,000 cycles.
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
This technology is used in the majority of new home battery storage systems. Lithium-ion batteries have the following characteristics:
- greater power storage and release than lead-acid batteries of similar size and weight faster charging times than lead-acid batteries, flow batteries, saltwater batteries round trip efficiency of 89 percent for lithium iron phosphate, 97 percent for lithium cobalt oxide, 75 percent to 95 percent for lithium manganese oxide.
- the discharge depth Lithium iron phosphate cycle life is 50 percent to 90 percent, lithium cobalt oxide cycle life is 50 percent, and lithium manganese oxide cycle life is 90 percent (i.e. number of charge-discharge cycles) Lithium iron phosphate: 3,000 to 6,000 cycles; lithium cobalt oxide: 800 to 1,200 cycles; lithium manganese oxide: 5,000 to 10,000 cycles; operating temperature: 0 to 45 degrees for lithium iron phosphate; -10 to 45 degrees for lithium cobalt oxide and lithium manganese oxide.
SODIUM-ION ANALOG BATTERIES
Water-based chemistry is stored in saltwater batteries. The following are some of the characteristics:
- Shorter life duration of roughly 10 years fairly affordable 100% efficient most environmentally friendly batteries on the market very safe relatively large and heavy no recycling process or plant in Australia
FLOW BATTERIES
This uses liquid electrolyte solutions to store energy. They are most commonly employed in commercial and large-scale applications, but they can also be used in residential settings.
The following are some of the characteristics:
- More than 20 years of life (about 10,000 charging cycles) 80% efficiency more ecologically favorable than other battery complex technology.
Things to think about
SOLAR PANELS’ COST-EFFECTIVENESS
The amount of electrical power a solar panel can give for the amount of solar radiation falling on it per square meter is known as its efficiency. Consider a solar panel with a 14 percent efficiency and a 1.5 m2 surface area. If the amount of solar radiation landing on this panel is 1000W/m2, it will be able to produce
1000 * 14 percent * 1.5 = 210W
This panel will generate 210*5 = 1050 Wh or 1.05 kWh in a day if the power falls for five hours. The amount of energy generated per unit area will increase as efficiency improves. If you have limited room for solar panel installation, efficiency is important, and it is best to choose a higher-efficiency solar panel in this instance.
SOLAR PANELS’ TOLERANCE
Under conventional test settings, a solar panel rated at 100 watts should produce at least 100 watts. If the manufacturer claims that their panels have a +/-5% tolerance, this means that the same panel can produce 105 watts (acceptable) or even 95 watts (not acceptable). Make sure the phrase “positive tolerance” appears on your solar panel’s datasheet at all times.
TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT
The temperature coefficient expresses the rate at which the power decreases as the temperature rises by one degree. The temperature coefficient of the solar panels ranges from 0 to 0.5 percent. The higher the power output, the closer the value is to 0. The solar PV setup also affects the temperature of the panels. The solar cells are all rated for a temperature of 25 ° C. However, the temperature outside might reach far greater levels.
Solar panel installation: The location of a solar panel might affect the temperature of the panel. When solar panels are mounted on a roof, they are exposed to much higher temperatures than the rest of the area. This results in a lower output.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SETUP AND LOCATION
The orientation of the solar panels. Since the USA is located in the
northern hemisphere, the true south is the best orientation for getting the most out of the solar panels.
- The tilt of the solar panel is adjusted to ensure that sunlight strikes the panel at a 90-degree angle. Seasonal fluctuations affect the angle of incidence. The output of the sun is affected by its direction, tilt, and tracking.
- When functioning without shades, the solar equipment (crystalline) provides the highest output. When installing solar PV systems, keep in mind the various types of shading. Make sure there aren’t any obstacles in the way of the equipment’s visibility.
- The outside temperature has a significant impact. It has an impact on the temperature of solar panels when determining their production.
HOW DO YOU PICK THE BEST INSTALLER?
Among the most crucial aspects of your solar installation is the installer. Examine a solar installer’s certificates, licenses, track record, and market reputation before hiring them. You should also be informed that, according to a recent analysis by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, large national solar companies charge more for the same or lower quality equipment than their tiny equivalents. The report’s advice is to shop around and choose local firms.
WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM YOU REQUIRE?
The size of your system is determined by your energy use, which is
measured in kilowatt-hours. This information can be found on your power bill or in your utility provider’s online account. Sizing is a difficult task, but there are plenty of online resources to assist you.
The solar calculator is the easiest way to acquire an estimate for grid-tied systems. Let us know where you are and how much energy you use, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll give you a goal system size and show you a few kits that might work for you. Calculate how much energy you use each day by filling out a form for off-grid systems.
Then use the off-grid solar calculator to figure out how big your system should be.
DO SOLAR PANELS WORK IF THE SUN ISN’T SHINING?
Solar panels will not produce power if the sun is blocked by clouds, and they will not produce electricity if there is no available sunlight throughout the night.
WHICH SOLAR PANELS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE IN THE SHADE?
Solar panels with microinverters are ideal for dealing with shadow issues
since if one panel is shaded, it will not affect the rest of the panels. Microinverters are similar to Christmas lights in that if one goes out, the others continue to function.
A TIP FOR CONSERVING ENERGY
Always choose a better efficiency panel and inverter over a cheaper system since they will last longer and produce more electricity.
About the author
Jess Taylor has been involved in the push towards sustainable solutions for many years. She is now a full-time researcher and writer at Practically Green, with a focus on Solar.