Solar PV systems are among the cleanest energy technology available today. A solar PV system is made up of one or more solar panels and an inverter to convert the direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) to power your appliances and other electrical needs. The solar panels are made up of solar cells, which are the basic component of the solar photovoltaic system. Today’s solar cells may be made of silicon or of another semiconductor substance – a substance that conducts electricity. Some of these substances are natural. Others are synthetic. No matter which they are, the energy expended in mining and manufacturing solar panels for solar PV systems is offset in just about a year of use. After that year, the electrical power generated by solar panels is essentially pollution free.
The first step toward deciding whether or not solar panels are a good choice for your energy needs is a realistic assessment of your current energy use and your energy needs. Knowing your peak electricity usage allows you to figure out how large a system you’ll need to meet your power requirements. In most of the UK, you won’t be able to completely offset your electricity usage with solar panels alone, but the Department of Energy and Climate Change estimates that most homes in the UK can generate about 50 percent of their electricity needs with a solar PV system. Some consumers who have installed solar panels report saving up to 70 percent off their typical energy bill.
Because solar cells are incapable of storing electricity and can only generate electricity during daylight hours, a home with solar panels must also have another source of electricity in addition to the solar panels. For some, that means a battery backup system, where any electricity that is not immediately used is stored in a connected battery and drawn upon at need.
In the UK, most solar PV systems are grid-tied systems rather than battery backup systems. A grid-tied system is connected to the conventional energy grid and draws power from it when the solar panels don’t generate enough power for the home’s immediate use. The electricity in grid-tied systems runs in both directions, though. When your solar panels generate more electricity than you need for your immediate requirements, that excess is exported to the power grid for use by others. An electrical meter measures both the amount of electricity that you draw from the grid and the amount of electricity you export to the grid.
One of the major reasons for the popularity of grid-tied solar PV in the UK is that they qualify for the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, which pays property owners for electricity generated by their solar panels. The FiTS is designed to help you recover the cost of solar panels installation more quickly and pay you an incentive for converting your home to use solar panels for power. If this information piques your interest, contact a contractor in your area that installs solar PV systems to learn more.
No comments:
Post a Comment