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Black and white view of a futuristic solar panel structure in Budapest, Hungary, capturing clean energy innovation.
14 SunPower 230 panels, for 3220 watts of DC power. The inverter is about 95% efficient, so the nameplate capacity of our array will be 2854 AC watts. In Pasadena we get six or seven hours of sunlight a day, so the system should generate between 17 and 20 kwh per day. That's less than what the average household uses, but that will more than enough for us.
14 SunPower 230 panels, for 3220 watts of DC power. The inverter is about 95% efficient, so the nameplate capacity of our array will be 2854 AC watts. In Pasadena we get six or seven hours of sunlight a day, so the system should generate between 17 and 20 kwh per day. That's less than what the average household uses, but that will more than enough for us.
Solar photovoltaic panels generate DC (Direct Current) electricity. However, almost every household and business in Southern California uses AC (Alternating Current) electricity. A solar inverter changes DC power to AC power so it can provide electricity that is suitable for use in your home or business. Also, this conversion allows you to “backfeed” electricity to the utility grid to which the inverter is connected so that you can sell electricity back to the utility company (a process that is known as net metering).
There are two types inverters used in solar installations today: 1) a central “string” inverter or 2) multiple small “micro” inverters. Micro-inverters are relative newcomers to the marketplace and despite their higher cost (as much as 30% more than a central inverter) their popularity has been growing rapidly in Southern California. In 2008 there were only 18 residential solar systems that possessed micro-inverter technology, but by the end of 2012 that number had increased to 12,000.1
A typical central inverter is located at ground level, usually near the Main Electrical Service Panel. It combines all of the power from multiple solar panels in this one central location. As a result, voltages can be quite high in the central inverter, sometimes as much as 600 volts DC. Micro-inverters are connected to each solar panel in the system and immediately convert DC power to AC current, usually at 240 volts. Although both voltages can be dangerous, there is an improved safety factor when using micro-inverters that have lower voltages.
Other perceived advantages of micro-inverters:
Since each solar panel has its own inverter, a failure would mean that only one panel is not working;
One panel’s poor performance would not affect its neighbor’s production, but if there is a shaded panel in a system with a central inverter then it can alter the energy output of other panels;
Multiple orientations of panels are possible with micro-inverters while a central inverter usually requires its panels to all face in the same direction.
On the other hand, there are disadvantages associated with micro-inverters:
Because they are rooftop-mounted, there are higher installation costs and higher costs associated with future serviceability;
A micro-inverter is installed on the roof under the solar panel where high heat could reduce its life, whereas central inverters have a documented history of reliable performance;
Voltage drops for long runs at 240 volts of AC power in micro-inverters is greater than that with higher voltage DC wiring associated with central inverters.
Although performance and failure rates are more predictable with central inverters at this point in time, the future looks promising for individual or micro-inverters. If reliability and cost trends continue, central “string” inverters may become a feature of the past in the not too distant future.
The fact that micro-inverters allow AC power output of a solar system to be interrupted by a switch located at ground level markedly improves safety for first responders in the event of a fire. In addition, the ability to design a system with minimal regard for solar panel orientation opens up more roof area for module deployment. Lastly, since many micro-inverter manufacturers provide module-level monitoring, a defective unit will be recognized and replaced, hopefully in time to take advantage of its warranty. This may become more crucial in time as smaller foreign manufacturers leave the US market.
All in all, micro-inverter technology is a winner on many levels, but only time will decide which technology crosses the finish line.
1Data from the CSI for the utilities of SCE, PG&E and SDG&E.
Final phase of setting up the thin film solar PV panels on the roof. Tucking the wires in to the wire management system. An amazing project. Sadly believe UniSolar, who made these, is no longer in business. - Please feel free to use this image, released under Creative Commons give credit to "Ken Fields" - www.kenfields.net
Installed solar panel array, Playford Operations Centre.
Davoren Park, City of Playford, South Australia.
Uni-Solar's panels are basically large "Solar Stickers" where the backing is pealed off exposing a pre-applied roofing adhesive. Love this photo, shows how thin, light and easy the set up was. These are also hurricane proof, awesome for anywhere in Florida, Gulf Coast, Caribbean... - Please feel free to use this image, released under Creative Commons give credit to "Ken Fields" - www.kenfields.net
Local car dealership in Horgen Italy installs Day4's 48MC-S modules with stay-powerful Technology. For more information visit www.day4energy.com
Installation of solar panel array, Playford Operations Centre.
Davoren Park, City of Playford, South Australia.
Installation of solar panel array, Playford Operations Centre.
Davoren Park, City of Playford, South Australia.
Installation of solar panel array, Playford Operations Centre.
Davoren Park, City of Playford, South Australia.
Day4 Energy solar modules installed at local car dealership rooftop in Horgen, Italy. Large solar project using Day4's 48MC-S modules with stay-powerful Technology. For more information visit www.day4energy.com
Installed solar panel array, Playford Operations Centre.
Davoren Park, City of Playford, South Australia.
Day4 Energy 60MC-I solar modules installed on residential rooftop in Kent, England by our partner, Affinitus Energy at www.affinitusenergy.co.uk.
For more information regarding Day4 DNA Technology, please visit www.day4energy.com.
A photo of the solar panels, enhanced with a little extra color saturation and "lomo-ish" effect.
Murdoch University, South Street Campus. Murdoch, Western Australia.
Solar Medix has teamed up with the top tree experts in the area to keep your shrubs and trees in good shape while allowing more light penetration to the modules. Solar Medix will work directly with the experts to identify and execute the perfect balance between tree health and solar access.
Read more: solarmedix.com/solar-shading-issues/
Tucking in the wires for the installation of thin film flexible solar panels on roof. Super easy set up. - Please feel free to use this image, released under Creative Commons give credit to "Ken Fields" - www.kenfields.net
Depending on the amount of electricity you require at your home, solar panels can be your only source of energy, or can be used to supplement existing energy sources. Solar panels can be placed wherever you want on your home or business, but placing them in certain locations can maximize the sunlight received and the energy created. View more Annapolis-Baltimore Eco-friendly yard design photos.
Solar panels are made up of collections of solar cells. Each cell uses the photovoltaic effect to convert the sun’s natural energy into usable electricity. The more solar cells in each panel, the higher the quality of the solar panel and the more usable energy available to the building. View more Annapolis-Baltimore Eco-friendly yard design photos.
Installed solar panel array, Playford Operations Centre.
Davoren Park, City of Playford, South Australia.
Sliding down the roof with a drill in your hand is..... possibly not so safe :-)
Murdoch University, South Street Campus. Murdoch, Western Australia.
A 25 kilowatt solar-electric system, installed on the roof of Murdoch University's library.
Murdoch University, South Street Campus. Murdoch, Western Australia.
Layout of thin film flexible solar PV panels on roof of home. Basically giant stickers that absorb sunlight and power your house. These were from UniSolar, no longer in production as far as I know. - Please feel free to use this image, released under Creative Commons give credit to "Ken Fields" - www.kenfields.net
Once the panels are installed, the electricity that is created from them is free. Imagine the money you could save each month if you no longer had an electric bill! View more Annapolis-Baltimore Eco-friendly yard design photos.
Another shot of organizing and laying out the solar pv system on the roof. Again, illustrates how light and flexible the system is and easy to install. The panels were a little big, so an extra set of hands was super helpful. - Please feel free to use this image, released under Creative Commons give credit to "Ken Fields" - www.kenfields.net
As new “green” trends are taking over and people are becoming more environmentally conscious, solar panels have become a popular way of providing energy to one’s home or business. View more Annapolis-Baltimore Eco-friendly yard design photos.