Harnessing the sun’s energy began centuries ago with glass and mirrors and even today, the solar industry continues to evolve as we gain increasing amounts of electrical power from the sun. In fact, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar energy is the fastest growing energy technology in the United States today. With such an exciting future ahead, more and more businesses are beginning to ask questions like, “How do solar panels work?” and “How do you measure solar power?”
Understanding Solar Panel Basics
Solar panels harvest the energy of the sun to create electrical energy and are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells…these cells are made up of materials called semiconductors. Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity. Many of these PV cells linked together make up a solar panel to create a reliable and clean alternative energy source.
Measuring Solar Power
The orientation, shading and pitch of the solar panels all affect its efficiency by changing how much solar radiation they receive. Read more about solar electric (photovoltaic) system calculations on our blog, “Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Production Estimates.”
Solar energy can be measured in two ways before it is transformed into electricity. The two common methods include solar radiance (or radiation) and solar insolation.
Sunlight Into Electricity
Metal conductive plates on the sides of the cell collect the electrons and transfer them to wires. During the day, solar cells absorb particles of sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity (DC electrical power wattage is the product of voltage and current). DC electrical power then travels to an inverter where it’s converted into alternating current (AC) electricity.
Since solar panels generate DC (direct current), it is essential to have some sort of device to convert DC into AC (alternating current) in order to power up buildings. This is where a solar inverter comes in. Inverters also enable electrical currents to be switched off in the case of a blackout or if repairs are necessary. The introduction of micro-inverters is one of the biggest technology shifts in the PV industry. Micro-inverters optimize for each individual solar panel, not for an entire solar system, as central inverts do.
AC electricity travels from the inverter to the electrical panel (also known as the breaker box). At that point, the electrons can flow like any other source of electricity to power things up.
TEDx Talk Answers: How Do Solar Panels Work?
Check out this straightforward and pretty technical explanation of how solar power works from Dave Strenski, TEDxEMU speaker, “Understanding Solar Power”
Benefits of Solar For Businesses
Smart business owners who make the decision to install solar will discover numerous commercial benefits for their business. In addition to winning over more customers, improving employee satisfaction and supporting the local economy, businesses can capitalize on some amazing financial opportunities; it’s simply smart business! In fact, a report from the International Energy Agency indicates that solar energy could become the largest global source of electricity by 2050. In the coming years, we will all be enjoying the benefits of solar-generated electricity in one way or another.
KMB Design Group is at the forefront of the escalating solar industry, and is considered a leading consulting firm in the renewable energy field providing photovoltaic design and engineering services. Licensed in 49 states, we have the ability to work nationally without limitations.