Photovoltaic Solar Panel
Photovoltaic solar panels for Clean Energy and Cash Back
Photovoltaic solar panels are electricity generating equipment that work through a semiconductor. It is a device that captures direct sunlight and converts it in to a usable solar energy electricity. Basically, a photovoltaic solar panel uses the photovoltaic effect to create electricity. This effect takes place when specific materials produce electrical currents getting exposed to the protons contained in direct sunlight. The more sunlight hits the solar panel, the more power it produces. It gives you a lot if savings on your monthly electricity bills.
Where and How To Install Solar Photovoltaic Panels
Photovoltaic panels can be ground mounted or also mounted on roof. Ideally it should be south facing (in the Northern Hemisphere). They work best when they are kept open during 9 am to 3 pm. Whenever you install a photovoltaic solar energy panel at your house, keep in mind that the more they are near to your house, the less electric cabling will cost you. As a rule, the solar power system should be at the angle of 30 degrees or slopping at the same degree of your latitude for optimum performance. Dust may affect its performance, so never install photovoltaic solar panels at less than 5 degrees. The home solar energy panels produce DC current. A small inverter is installed inside the house to convert DC in to AC.
The Extras of PV Solar Panels
The actual photovoltaic solar panel is a part only. The complete solar panel system needs a few extras to make it a fully functioning system.
Inverter- Most photovoltaic solar energy cells produce direct current or DC, and the appliances at home operate on alternating current, better known as AC. The inverter converts the direct current to alternating current to run your home appliances.
Solar Battery – Solar batteries are to store the extra produced electricity that you do not use immediately after its production. This is also useful at the time of power cut (while you use the grid line) or at night when sun is off and no electricity is produced by photovoltaic solar panels. That’s one thing about solar energy, the panels don’t produce anything at night.
Charge controller – The charge controller system prevents overcharging of solar batteries.
Grounding Circuit – This is a safety feature that minimizes the risk of shocks and also protects your house from lightning strikes.
How to reduce the cost of Photovoltaic Solar Panel installation
The renewable energy resources installations are given government aid in most of the states. To receive the maximum credit, government offers different rebates and tax credits for households using renewable energy sources like PV solar panels for homes. You should check and know about the eligibility criteria for these government help in your area. You may also be surprised to know that some states offers their residents to sell back the excess generated electricity to the municipal electricity grid. So, a photovoltaic solar panel, which may look expensive to you initially, can be your income generator.
Clean and Sustainable Energy Source
The typical photovoltaic solar panel system is an eco-friendly system that produces no fossil fuels. It is a clean energy source with life expectancy of 60 years. If you want to save a few bucks on fuel bills, don’t mind the initial solar panel’s price, and simply want to reduce your carbon footprint from the environment, there is no other way to install a solar PV (photovoltaic) system for your home.