Solar power capacity in India has increased by more than 11 times in the last five years from 2.6 GW in Solar power capacity in India has increased by more than 11 times in the last five years from 2.6 GW in March 2014 to 30 GW in July 2019. This article will discuss how the solar system works and the major benefits of choosing solar over traditional forms of energy.
How Solar Works?
A solar cell converts the energy contained in the sun’s radiation into electrical energy. Due to the limited size of the solar cell, it can only deliver a limited amount of power under fixed current-voltage conditions and is not practical for most applications.
To use solar for electricity generation, a number of solar cells have to be connected together to form a solar panel, also called a solar PV module. For large-scale generation of solar electricity, solar panels are connected together in a solar array.
Major Components of Solar Power System
Solar Panels
The main building blocks of a solar energy power system are solar panels. They are the units that trap the sun’s solar radiation and convert it into electricity. This electricity is then supplied to electrical loads and can be stored in batteries for stand-alone systems. Solar panels are typically mounted structures on building roofs for most residential sites.
Inverters
Inverters are DC-AC converters that are used to convert DC voltage produced by the Solar panels to AC voltage. Appliances and loads in India usually utilize alternating current, and hence the need for an inverter. Furthermore, for a grid-connected solar power system, there is a need to convert the DC voltage from the solar panels before transmitting it to the power grid. For smaller systems, as are commonly used in homes, single-phase inverters are used. They are connected to one phase of the grid. For larger system sizes, three-phase inverters are used that are connected to all phases of the grid.
Solar Mounting Structure
A solar mounting structure is used to fix the solar panels and to direct them towards the sun. Proper positioning of the solar panels will ensure maximum solar radiation is captured in a given location and ensures optimal power generation. There are fixed structures as well as those designed to track and follow the position of the sun. Most residential solar power systems are mounted on a fixed structure on building roofs. Structures generally have a ground clearance of 300mm. But elevated structures with a ground clearance of say 6ft will allow you to use the roof for other purposes as well.
Energy Storage Systems (optional)
Energy storage is a vital part of stand-alone systems or off-grid solar systems as it stores excess electricity produced by the system. Usually, batteries are used as energy storage units. During the day when the sun’s radiation is high, the solar PV system supplies electricity to the load as well as charges the batteries. Deep cycle batteries are usually preferred for this purpose – batteries that can withstand repeated charge and discharge cycles.
ACDB and DCDB
Alternative current distribution box (ACDB) and direct current distribution box (DCDB) are safety circuit boxes which help prevent damage to our appliances. DCDB which is installed between the solar panel and solar inverter controls the DC power generated by the solar panel with the necessary surge protection device (SPD) and fuses. The ACDB installed between the solar inverter and connected load receives the AC power from the solar inverter and directs it through the distribution board.
Balance of systems (BoS)
The balance of system solar includes all the components of the photovoltaic system with the exception of solar panels. The overall performance of solar electricity supply systems is strongly dependent on the correct choice of cables. Selecting the wrong cable specification can significantly affect the performance of the Solar PV power system.
Benefits of Solar System
Better for the environment
Solar electricity is one way to power your home or business that benefits the environment. There are no direct greenhouse gas emissions because the electricity is made from sunlight rather than burning fossil fuels.
Save on your power bills
You should see a saving of 80- 90% on your electricity bill from day 1 because you will be using power from your solar panels during the day and reducing the usage of electricity from the grid. With netmetering, you can also offset the electricity used from the grid by exporting excess electricity generated by your system.
Low maintenance
Grid-connected solar PV systems generally need very little maintenance. With occasional cleaning and a regular check, solar panels should last around 25 years. It is likely the inverter will need to be replaced at least once in that time.
Best Investment
Investing ₹1 lakh would give you a return of ₹25,000-30,000 a year (ROI of 25%-30%). This makes solar a low risk, high return investment compared to other options in the market.
Going solar today can save you 90% of your electricity bill along with the benefit of saving the environment for better sustainability. Start your solar journey today. Go Solar with Freyr Energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Solar cells – Core components made from silicon, used for converting sunlight into electrical energy via photovoltaic effect.
- Glass sheet – Used to protect solar cells and increase durability while allowing sunlight to pass.
- Encapsulation layers – Used to protect cells by being their cushion and prevent moisture ingress. It is made up of Ethylene-vinyl Acetate.
- Frame – Used to provide structure support and mounting facility.
- Junction box – It is the house of electrical connections and diodes to prevent reverse current flow.
The solar cell process depends on the photovoltaic effect. When sunlight reaches the solar cell, the electrons in the semiconductor materials like silicon get activated, creating electron-hole pairs. These pairs get separated by an internal electric field via different types of silicon. This movement of electrons towards the cell’s electrical contact creates a flow of direct current electricity and converts light energy into electrical energy.
The inverter converts the direct current electricity into alternating current electricity. Household applications and grids operate on AC where the inverter is used. Moreover, inverter has the features like performance optimization, monitoring, and safety mechanisms to protect the system.
Solar mounting structure‘s primary purposes include:
- Durability – Protects the solar panels from any physical damage and degradation.
- Alignment – Ensure panels are aligned properly, and efficient energy is generated.
- Stability – Ensuring a stable and durable framework to stand strong at the time of environmental factors.
- Position panels – Ensures that panels are at the optimal angle and in the right orientation to maximize sunlight.
Excess electricity produced is stored in a solar power storage system for later use. Batteries like lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries store DC electricity produced during sunlight. The stored energy is put to use at the time of unavailability of sunlight. The reliability and flexibility of solar power systems are enhanced by allowing continuous power supply and self-consumption.
ACBD: Alternating Current Distribution Board, where the solar system distributes alternate current electricity output from the inverter to various circuits within the home or business. Secured equipment like circuit breakers and isolators are used to protect the solar panel’s electrical system.
DCDB: The Direct Current Distribution Board manages the direct current electricity generated by the solar panels. Protective devices like fuses or circuit breakers are used to safeguard against overcurrent and short circuits.It also maintains the connection bridge between the solar panels and the inverter.
Solar power system saves electricity bills and decreases the dependency on reliable power sources. The government actively supports this system by providing incentive and tax credit schemes. Moreover, carbon emission is reduced due to less consumption of fossil fuels. Lastly, property value is appealed with the solar installation.
Savings depend on the factors like size of the system, local electricity rates, and energy consumption. Well-sized solar power system reduces electricity bills by 50%-80%. The solar panels also store extra generated electricity that adds to more savings via net metering credits or power purchase agreements.
Solar panels generally give extensive support for 25-30 years. Freyr Energy provides a warranty that will continue to produce at least 80% of its original efficiency for 25 years. Maintenance of solar panels also ensures that they operate beyond this period.
Yes, solar system investment is a good idea because it offers long-term financial savings by reducing electricity bills every month. The benefits of solar power system are that it appreciates the property value and reduces your household and industry’s electrical independence.