When you want a more stable, cheaper, and environment-friendly source of energy, perhaps you’re looking for a solar power system. This energy supply can be replenished, which means you will never run out of this. Second, it doesn’t emit any toxic gases into the air, adding to the growing problem in global warming. Third, it doesn’t cost you a lot to have one.
What is a solar power system?
The concept of a solar power system is this: you will convert the energy that you can derive from the sun into electricity. In order to achieve this, though, you have to make use of the photovoltaic principle. This means that you have to make use of PV panel to make a solar power system truly work. This equipment is composed of silicon, which will then generate electrical charges when placed under the sunlight.
Is there a difference between a solar power system for electricity and heat-reliant appliances?
The solar power system that is being used for electricity and for home appliances that consume huge amounts of heat is completely different. The former cannot effectively support the latter. These include water heaters, electrical stove, and clothes dryer, to name a few. You may have to settle for other forms of renewable energy such as propane or natural gas. Nevertheless, the solar power system will just be dependable for other uses of electricity.
How do you measure the amount of energy generated by the solar power system?
If normal electricity is measured by kilowatts per hour, that of a solar power system is expressed in terms of peak sun hours. This is in relation to the time of the day where the amount of heat radiated by the sun is at its highest. This will also change too many times in a given day. Thus, you should know how to calculate for the peak sun hours. Fortunately, the amount of energy that touches the earth at any given hour is far greater than the total energy supply that the entire world needs in one year.
Besides a PV panel, what are the other parts that are needed for solar power system?
There are three more components that are included. These are charge controller, inverter, and a battery. The panels are connected to the battery, which is then being charged by the charge controller. Moreover, the battery feeds a DC volt to the inverter, which will then change it to AC volt.
Related Sites
Related Links
- Solar Electricity: How it’s Made, How to Use It
- Cons of Solar Energy
- The Basics About Solar Power Panels
- Are You Using Green Electricity?
- Using the Photovoltaic Effect For Electricity

December 8th, 2008 at 5:53 am
It must be expensive to get your home done with solar. Panels, inverters and batteries to store the energy don’t come cheaply.
Hopefully as the technology matures it will reduce in price…
December 14th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Brett is right - it’s not cheap, but it really is worth it from an environmental perspective - as well, it makes sense in terms of money as well. When energy becomes a finite resource, people will resort to whatever means necessary to generate more solar power.
Here are some good places for solar power systems:
http://www.solarshop.com.au/
http://www.solaronline.com.au/
Check out these solar power systems for good measure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=steKLCeu1UQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yRwFQ6fKhk
Fantastic!