How does Solar Work?
Sunshine equals savings. The sun, sometimes called the sky’s power plant, emits enough energy to earth to meet the world’s power needs and then some. The sun’s light, which is full of energy, can be captured and turned into an electrical current which can be used as power. Maybe you’ve heard all of this before, but you’re still wondering how harnessing energy from the sun can save your hard earned cash. Or maybe you’ve heard about solar power, but you’re left asking, “how does sunshine become electricity?” Although solar power might seem futuristic, it’s already quite common.
Sunshine equals savings.
The sun, sometimes called the sky’s power plant, emits enough energy to earth to meet the world’s power needs and then some. The sun’s light, which is full of energy, can be captured and turned into an electrical current which can be used as power.
Maybe you’ve heard all of this before, but you’re still wondering how harnessing energy from the sun can save your hard earned cash. Or maybe you’ve heard about solar power, but you’re left asking, “how does sunshine become electricity?”
Although solar power might seem futuristic, it’s already quite common. Do you have solar-powered lights in your garden? Or maybe you have a solar-powered calculator in your office or a quartz watch on your wrist. See, not so strange!
With an increasing demand for renewable energy, solar power is becoming a popular energy choice. Solar power doesn’t emit carbon dioxide, it won’t run out, and it’s free! What’s not to love?
So how does it work?
Photovoltaic (PV) cells, more commonly referred to as solar panels, capture the sun’s rays during and convert it to direct current (DC) electricity. Basically, photovoltaic cells take sunlight and produce electricity. They are simple in structure, very durable, and effective! They have no moving parts, so they are low-maintenance. They are usually installed on a roof that will be south facing, or south-east or south-west facing. This ensures they capture as much energy as possible.
Once the sun’s rays are captured, an Inverter converts the direct current electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the type of electricity that can be used within your home.
The converted alternating current power is sent from the inverters to your home’s wiring system to power your appliances, lights, and anything else that uses electricity within your home. The electrical panel is often referred to as a switchboard or a breaker box.
A utility grid/meter measures the energy you use and monitors how much extra energy is saved in your grid. Sometimes you might not need to use all of the power produced from your PV system. The excess power is put into the public grid and your power company will give you credit for the electricity you contributed.
Solar power is an investment. Many of our clients see paybacks in as quick as 10 years. Aside from saving money and the environment, solar power is almost hassle-free and might be the perfect option for you home or workplace.
Here at SunAir Energy Solutions can accommodate projects of any size from off-grid, to grid-tied to commercial installations. We’re proud to offer a variety of solar products including, KACO, SolarEdge, Enphase Energy, Schletter, Jinko, and Canadian Solar products.
Quality & Warranties
Most solar panels have a 25-year output warranty, meaning that the panels will still produce up to 80% of the energy compared to a new panel, as solar panels degrade from 0.5% to 1% annually.
They also generally have a 10 or 12-year manufacturer’s warranty for defects.
SolarEdge and Enphase have 25 year warranties on their products and KACO string inverters have a 10-year warranty for full replacement.
We strive to install quality products with strong warranties and service what we sell.
What are Inverters? Which should I Choose?
When homeowners begin thinking about going solar, they often struggle with what type of inverter to choose. As you may know, inverters take the direct current (DC) power from solar panels and create an alternating current (AC). AC is the electricity used in homes. Choosing the inverter that’s right for you, could make all the difference in your solar power journey. So what’s the answer? Truth is, it all depends on your home, your budget and your preferences. We’ll explore how the two types of inverters we install work.
When homeowners begin thinking about going solar, they often struggle with what type of inverter to choose.
As you may know, inverters take the direct current (DC) power from solar panels and create an alternating current (AC). AC is the electricity used in homes. Choosing the inverter that’s right for you, could make all the difference in your solar power journey.
So what’s the answer?
Truth is, it all depends on your home, your budget and your preferences.
We’ll explore how the two types of inverters we install work. These are string series inverters and micro-inverters, also called ultra-inverters.
Standard string inverters function in a series circuit. Micro-inverters function in a parallel circuit. This means string inverters cap the electricity of each panel based on the lowest producing panel on your roof. Meanwhile, a micro-inverter, takes advantage of the production of each individual panel. As you might guess, micro-inverters tend to outperform string inverters.
String inverters
Generally the cheapest option. They are well-suited for perfectly installed panels that are in direct sunlight for most of the day. Many solar installation companies recommend string inverters for people with no shade. Otherwise, this type of inverter will not be effective for converting the sun’s energy into home electricity.
Why are they called string inverters? Well, let’s say you install 40 solar panels, they may be installed into 8 groups of 5 panels each. Those groups are referred to as strings. The panels with a string are connected in parallel to each other and then connected to the inverter. String inverters are a box about the size of a small microwave and installed next to your panel box. They track the energy production of the whole system.
Micro-inverters
These tend to be pricier at the moment as they are newer technology. As they become more commonplace, it’s expected that the price will go down. Despite the cost, they are becoming a popular option for residential solar systems. Micro-inverters convert DC electricity produced from your solar panels into AC at the panels on your roof. This means, you don’t need a separate central inverter. Each panel will have a micro-inverter installed with it and, depending on the model you choose, they might fit under two panels. They are able to track the performance of each individual panel – giving specific feedback. Because the DC to AC conversion happens at the panels, there won’t be any congestion if one panel produces little or no electricity. Micro-inverters are smaller than string inverters and are about the same size as an internet router.
Micro-inverters are a great option for solar systems that are facing many angles. Also, if you have shading from trees, a chimney, other buildings, etc., micro-inverters work the best.
In summary, if you are planning to expand your solar system in future, you can do so simply with micro-inverters. Adding a full unit to string inverters could become costly for you. Micro-inverters have lots of perks, there’s no doubt. But if conditions are right for string inverters, they are the more cost effective option. Plus, they’re a tried and trusted technology.
The decision is yours to make. And remember, our team of trusted professionals is happy to help you along the way.