Solar panels, or solar photovoltaic modules, convert the sun’s light energy into electrical energy. They are usually used as part of solar or wind-solar systems.
Solar panels, or solar photovoltaic modules, convert the sun’s light energy into electrical energy. They are usually used as part of solar or wind-solar systems.
4 reasons why you should install solar panels
- Availability. The sun is almost everywhere.
- Autonomy. You do not need to be connected to a centralized power supply system and depend on energy supply companies.
- Environmental friendliness. Photovoltaic cells do not make carcinogenic emissions, do not increase the level of greenhouse gases. There is no need to destroy forests or consume non-renewable fossil fuels.
- Lack of licensing. So far, our state has not adopted any legislative instructions on the compulsory licensing of obtaining electricity from photovoltaic cells.
Where are solar panels installed?
Photovoltaic cells will be able to provide electricity to: country houses, cottages and summer cottages, mobile homes, as well as buildings located far from the main power lines.
In addition – sanatoriums, rest homes and other institutions.
What are the solar panels
These devices are divided into different classes and types depending on the purpose for which they are used.
There are low-power solar panels – for charging cell phones, PDAs and other similar electronics. They have a small area of photographic plates, they are rather expensive. Universal solar panels – for powering a wide range of consumers in the field. There are imported ones, and ours. The price and quality are quite different. They are considered the most acceptable for tourists.
We are more interested in solar cell panels – photographic plates fixed on a substrate. This is a blank for building a device that will provide the necessary room with electricity.
By the type of manufacture, thin-film, monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells are distinguished.
How to choose a solar panel
Solar modules are produced in power from 6 to 185 W with output voltages of 12 and 24 volts.
To determine which solar battery suits you best, you need to know exactly where you want to install it, and how much energy and for what purpose you need to get it. Usually, each organization specializing in the installation of solar systems (and such can be easily found on the Internet) will pre-calculate all possible installation options for you, and it will remain to choose the most optimal method for the user.
Connection and other nuances
As already noted, special solar or wind-solar systems are used to generate electricity from sunlight. Their main components: generator, solar charge controller, battery, inverter, junction box.
Solar panels generate electricity that is stored in the battery. Further, the inverter converts the voltage from the batteries to 220 V and 50 Hz. Therefore, in order to calculate the system configuration, it is necessary to determine what maximum power must be included in the system, and how many kW * h must be obtained.
Issue price
The cost of equipment for a solar system depends, again, on the tasks that you set for it.
The approximate prices that are offered on the Internet are as follows:
- Mini solar station 140 W – from UAH 8645;
- Solar grid power plant 1 kW – from UAH 30,000;
- A network photovoltaic power plant for generating electricity of 2 kW – from UAH 50,000;
- Autonomous power plant 2 kW – from 60 000 UAH.
Something about risks
Like any piece of equipment, solar systems can fail. The basic rule is not to overload the system. For this, you need to carefully calculate what you will use it for.
Another nuance is battery replacement. It will have to be changed more often. You also need to take into account the efficiency of the proposed battery model. It depends on the climate conditions which model is better to choose.
It also happens that in adverse weather conditions, the electronics of the system refuses to work. And it is clear that efficient and reliable systems will be more expensive. But technologies are developing by leaps and bounds. Therefore, there is a chance that very soon the deficiencies in alternative energy systems will be eliminated, and solar panels and other energy sources will become more affordable.
Of course, today it is impossible to call the procedure for establishing a solar energy system cheap. But it’s worth calculating how much you pay for electricity for a year, for ten years.