Here is how I understand it so far:
On Grid:
-the sun hits the solar cells
-the solar cells produce energy from the sun
-the energy from the solar cells is then sent to the grid
-the electric company and fed pay you for surplus energy that you create
Off Grid:
-the sun hits the solar cells
-the solar cells produce energy from the sun
-the energy from the solar cells is then sent to batteries slowly
-the built up energy from the batteries is then sent to an inverter that converts the energy to be compatible to your house
-the energy from the inverter is then sent to your appliances
1. For “on grid” can you hook it directly from the solar cell panels to the grid or do you need a inverter or something?
2. How much are inverters and are there different kinds?
3. What kind, how much are, and how many batteries do you need for “off grid”?
4. How do the solar cells create energy?
5. Can you buy lights and appliances and so forth that will hook directly to the solar cell panels without an inverter that are already set to take that type of energy? or directly from batteries?
6. Are solar panels basically just a bunch of solar cells hooked together?
p.s. if I am wrong please correct me, if you know of resources that teach this particularly with images that would be great.
7. Also, I forgot to ask can you explain the types of energy and why they need to be converted by an inverter? For instance ac or dc and the different watts and volts ect?
More Pages:
- New to solar energy systems…?
- Need an info source on how to take my house “off the grid” and run on my own power.?
- Solar Panel: Is It Possible To Just Tie An Apartment Solar Power Array To The Electrical Grid Without A Battery? (6/28/2011)
- Solar Panel: When Connecting Solar Photovoltaic Panels To The Grid? (1/9/2012)
- Solar Power: What Type Of Solar Power System Will Suit Us Best? (4/12/2012)
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
On grid, yes you do need an inverter to send power to the grid, in fact you will require a standardized control module that will shut off your supply to the grid if the grid is powered down, it will not allow your system to send power below the voltage on the grid, or out of phase with the grid.
You can have batteries even while on grid, to keep your own home powered up while the grid is down,
The size of inverters you need is based on your generating capacity if you are on grid, but will be significantly greater off grid. When you use batteries they increase your amperage compared to just your panels.
Panels are an array of cells.
Photo voltaic cells have a semiconductor that allows electrons to flow only in one direction, and for instance aluminum foil plates that kick electrons out, ready to travel in which ever direction they are allowed.
Alternatively concentrating thermal collectors create steam to power a steam engine of some kind, often a turbine. In places that have lots of clear sky concentrating thermal collectors are very effective.
Direct current dc moves in one direction, the way a battery and a solar panel create it.
We have designed and built our houses and factories etc to use AC, because AC converts from one voltage to another readily, and converts to DC.
Voltages both AC and DC are all open to design criteria. Normally solar panels will deliver some multiple of 12 volts to the battery or to the inverter. Mostly 12 and 24 but this is not cast in concrete.
How much battery power do we need off grid? If we move all of our power use to daytime, not much. We can do a lot of that.
But almost always we design things to allow us to ignore the fact that we are using solar power.
Battery storage can be as costly as solar panels when we plan to use all of our power from batteries. To cut down on costs we use too few batteries but add more as we find that to be needed.
Inverters need to be large enough to carry the largest concurrent load, which again can be reduced by having intelligent load switching mechanisms, but it is more economical to buy a single inverter large enough to carry most of our loads and a second that stays shut off until it is needed.
It does not make sense to try to go for all DC appliances. It does not make sense to heat water with solar electricity if we can use thermal solar.