Are you thinking about buying a solar electric system for your home or business?

This page gives you some basic information that can help you to understand what a photovoltaic (PV) system is and how it works.

What is a solar electric or photovoltaic system?

Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly to electricity. They work any time the sun is shining, but more electricity is produced when the sunlight is more intense and strikes the PV modules directly (as when rays ofsunlight are perpendicular to the PV modules).

Unlike solar thermal systems for heating water, PV does not use the sun's heat to make electricity. Instead, electrons freed by the interaction of sunlight with semiconductor materials in PV cells are captured in an electric current. PV allows you to produce electricity— without noise or air pollution—from a clean, renewable resource. A PV system never runs out of fuel, and it won't increase oil imports. The basic building block of PV technology is the solar “cell.” Multiple PV cells are connected to form a PV “module,” the smallest PV component sold commercially. Modules range in power output from about 10 Watts to 300 Watts.

A PV system connected to the utility grid has these components:

• PV modules, which are connected to an inverter
• Inverter, which converts the system's direct-current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC)
• Batteries (optional) to provide energy storage or backup power in case of a power interruption or outage on the grid.

AC electricity is compatible with the utility grid. It powers our lights, appliances, computers, and televisions.
Special appliances that run directly on DC power are available, but they can be expensive.

As a customer you can choose from one of these two ways to install a solar system. It simply depends on what your needs are and where you are located. Sometimes it is the best solution to have an off-grid system as to install a connetion with the utility service or produce the power with a Diesel generator.

Grid Connected System

Please click on Picture for more information about our components

Advantages

Please click on Picture for more information about our components

Advantages

Why should you buy a PV system?

People decide to buy PV systems for a variety of reasons. Some people want to help preserve the Earth's finite fossil-fuel resources and reduce air pollution. Others want to invest in an energy-producing improvement to their property. Some people like the security of reducing the amount of electricity they buy from their utility because it makes them less vulnerable to future price increases. And some people just appreciate the independence that a PV system provides.

If you plan to build a home away from an established utility service, inquire about the cost of installing a utility line. Often, the cost of extending conventional power to your residence is higher than the cost of a solar option.

Whatever your reason, solar energy is widely thought to be the energy source of choice for the future, and you may be able to take advantage of a state-sponsored program to help make it your energy choice for today and tomorrow.

Solar Sales will give you a professional consultation and assist you with applying for government funded programs.

Is your home or business a good place for a PV system?

Can you locate your system so it works well?

A well-designed PV system needs a clear an unobstructed access to the sun's rays for most or all of the day, throughout the year. You can make an initial assessment yourself. If the location looks promising, your PV provider can determine whether your home or business can effectively use a PV system. The orientation of your PV system (the compass direction that your system faces) affects its performance. In Australia, the sun is always in the norther half of the sky but is higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Usually, the best location for a PV system is a north-facing roof, but roofs that face east or west may also be acceptable. Flat roofs also work well for solar electric systems, because PV modules can be mounted flat on the roof facing the sky or bolted on frames tilted toward the north at an optimal angle. They can also be attached directly to the roof as “PV shingles.” If a rooftop can't be used, your solar modules can also be placed on the ground, either on a fixed mount or a “tracking” mount that follows the sun to orient the PV modules. Other options (often used in multifamily or commercial applications) include mounting structures that create covered parking, or that provide shade as window awnings.

Is your site free from shading by trees, nearby buildings, or other obstructions?

To make the best use of your PV system, the PV modules must have a clear “view” of the sun for most or all of the day—unobstructed by trees, roof gables, chimneys, buildings, and other features of your home and the surrounding landscape. Some potential sites for your PV system may be bright and sunny during certain times of the day, but shaded during other times. Such shading may substantially reduce the amount of electricity that your system will produce.

Position of the sun during the year

How much energy can a Solar system produce?

The energy produced by your Solar system is dependent on the size of the system. With the following simple formula you can calculate your energy production per day. In practise you have a solar system, from 5 up to an unlimited number of modules. Our high efficiency Sun Power modules have a power of 210 Watt or more. If you multiply the number of the modules with the power of the module and with the daily sunshine hours (see picture below), you get your daily electricity production (in kWh) from the panels. Furthermore, we include a factor in the formula because the sun in the morning and in the evening hours is lower then at midday and the modules can't produce the full power. We assume an output reduction of 35% (factor = 0.65). The sum of all (in kWh or "units" on your power bill) is the energy that you can save every day on your power bill.

Formula:
number of modules  x  power of one module  x  sunshine hours for your location per day  x  factor  =  energy production per day

Example for Perth:
5 modules   x   210 W   x   8 h/day (Perth)   x   0.65   =   5,460 Wh/day or 5.5 kWh/day

Please note that the formula gives you only a reference value for how much energy you can produce. The real value is dependent on the ambient conditions.

Is the lowest price the "best deal"?

It might not be. You generally get what you pay for, and it's possible that a low price could be a sign of inexperience. Companies that plan to stay in business must charge enough for their products and services to cover their costs, plus a fair profit margin. Therefore, price should not be the only consideration, and quality should probably rank highest on your list.

For more detailed information please contact us or visit us and we will give you a free consulting for our own solar electric system. Furthermore you can see how our own 2.4 kW solar power system is working on our roof (Perth).