Photovoltaics (PV) is a way of generating electricity from sunlight all year round and even on cloudy days. It is the most environmentally friendly method of generating power, available to almost everyone. Photovoltaics have been successfully used to power satellites in space for 50 years, and is used in everyday items such as roadside signs, calculators and clocks.
In the near future, solar energy will be the most important energy source for humanity as non-renewable resources such as coal, gas and oil dwindle to nothing. So how does this affordable and green technology work in your home?
- Light from the Sun is ‘harvested’ by the photovoltaic panels, which convert the solar energy into electricity
- The electricity from the panels is collected in series and fed to the inverter where it is converted to alternating current, suitable for your home
- This power is then used by the householder for free and....
- Any excess power generated is fed back into the national grid through a meter, and the householder receives payment
- Regardless of the power fed into the main grid, the householder receives a feed-in tariff as a quarterly payment related to the nominal power of the system
WHAT ARE PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS?
Photovoltaics is the conversion of sunlight into electricity using a physical reaction benefitting from the natural properties of silicon, which is a semiconductor. In their manufactured form, the silicon solar cells individually produce electricity. These cells are grouped together in panels, which are then linked to deliver the electricity.
Silicon is the earth’s second most common element and can be easily extracted from the earth’s crust in vast quantities. Each solar cell is made up of a negatively charged layer and a positively charged layer, and when sunlight falls on the solar cell, the natural physical reaction generates direct current (DC).
HOW THE ELECTRICITY IS USED IN YOUR HOME
For general use, this direct current (DC) needs to be converted to alternating current (AC), this is done and controlled by a device called an inverter. Having been converted to AC, the electricity generated is automatically used to power your house (lights, television, appliances, etc). All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the benefits, it couldn’t be simpler!
The main purpose of the inverter is to convert the DC to AC but it also has other important functions and features. The controls within the inverter include maximum power point (MPP) tracking to ensure maximum output from the solar panels, even in low light conditions. It starts up at the beginning of the day requiring only 5-10 watts and then continues monitoring and controlling until the end of the day. There are numerous safety features including automatic cutout of feed into the national grid if the supplier’s grid goes down (to prevent any possibility of injury to the supplier’s engineers working to repair the fault). Associated with the inverter are advanced monitoring and reporting features.
HOW TO EXPORT THE EXCESS ELECTRICITY YOU DON’T USE
The system will include a total generation meter (OFGEM approved) and an export meter to control and record the electricity that you feed back in to the national grid and for which you will be paid (for details refer to the Benefits page). We include the cost of the supply and installation of the export meter in our quotation, some of our competitors do not.
There are various ways that the system can be set up to control how much electricity you take from the system for free and how much is fed back into the national grid. The best set up for you will depend on your pattern of usage. If you are in the house all day as opposed to only being there in the mornings and evenings, the benefits of free electricity to you can be much greater. We will discuss your usage and provide you with the best possible set up to get the most from your system.
WHAT DOES A PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM CONSIST OF?
The following components:-
- PV panels for generating electricity from light (mounted on aluminium framing)
- Inverter for converting DC into AC and to control the entire system
- Total generation meter for monitoring the instantaneous and total power produced by the system.
- AC export meter for recording the electricity delivered to the national grid.
- DC and AC isolation switches
- Cables and couplings
- Warning labels
Please see our What we Supply section for a detailed look at PV System components we sell and install.
HOW WE INSTALL THE PV SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM
Other than the largest jobs, the great majority of projects take 1 day to install. Please see our Installation section for a step by step guide on how we install these systems reliably and safely.
WILL PHOTOVOLTAICS WORK IN MY HOME?
Solar panels rely on exposure to light from the sun and the more light that is available, the better the system works. Solar PV panels can be installed on almost any building, whether you are in an urban or rural location. Please see our Is it right for me? section to confirm that your roof is suitable.
WILL MY PV PANELS WORK WHEN IT’S CLOUDY?
Solar PV operates on light, rather than heat, so even if the day seems cool – if there is light, the system will be generating electricity. PV systems will therefore generate electricity all year round.
Nevertheless, the output will fluctuate seasonally, with the most electricity being produced in the bright summer months. Shaded locations that never benefit from full sunlight are not suitable.
RELIABILITY OF PV SYSTEMS
The reliability of PV systems has been established through use over many years. Sharp PV modules have been used for decades to power satellites in space. Sharp PV modules have been installed in over 1,000 lighthouses, providing proof that they continue to operate, even in extreme conditions.
Photovoltaic products are being developed and refined at a rapid pace with continual improvements in performance. Eco Warriors Solar and their supply partners continually monitor the manufacturing supply chain to take advantage of new developments.
Please see our What we Supply section for a detailed look at the Sharp PV System components we install.
HOW DO I GET A PV SYSTEM INSTALLED?
Call us, email us, or complete the form in the Get a quote section. Every customer is very important to us, so we'll get back to you as quickly as we can.
