|
|
|||||
|
|
SolarStar® Electrical
Energy System How
Solar Energy Operates A photovoltaic (solar electric) system
literally means photo, (produced by light) and voltaic, (electricity produced
by a chemical reaction). With a solar electric system you get 100% clean
electricity from the sun and in essence become your own power company. The
Sun as Electricity Source Light rays from the sun, those that you can see (visible light) and some that you can't see (ultra-violet) both help to produce electricity in the panels. The sunlight's interaction with certain materials, such as silicon in the PV module, frees electrons, which are collected to form direct current (DC) electricity. DC electricity is then converted by an inverter to AC power for your use. PV systems produce power intermittently because they work only when the sun is shining. More electricity is produced on a clear, sunny day and with a more direct light angle, as when the sun is perpendicular to the PV modules. Cloudy days will reduce output, and no power is produced at night. PV systems work best during summer months when the sun is higher in the sky and the days are longer. The
Mechanism and Mounting Structure The SolarStar® modules
themselves are the power producing mechanism. They are assembled from solar
cells. Each cell produces electric power when exposed to sunlight. The
manufacturing of these cells is a highly technical process similar to that
used to make computer chips. The solar panels are rated by Underwriter
Laboratories for the amount of watts they are capable of producing. The
panels we use are the most energy efficient panels on the market. Other
manufacturers may produce panels that are cheaper, but their panels are
larger, and are actually less energy efficient per square inch. Our panels
can be mounted on the ground, or on a rooftop. The roof mounting structure
consists of aluminum and stainless steel racks, which the panels are mounted
upon. The
Inverter The inverter converts DC (direct current) power to AC (alternating current) to the standards of your local power company used to run your home appliances and lighting fixtures. The inverter is enclosed in an attractive cabinet that can be mounted inside the home, garage, or on an outside wall. Wiring
– The Electrical Panel and Circuit Breaker Part of your SolarStar® system is the wiring to your home or office's power system. This will be connected to the load center (circuit breaker box or electrical panel) of your home or office. If you choose the battery backup option that will give you power during an outage, a new electrical panel will be installed that holds essential circuits. The existing electrical panel retains non-essential household circuits that do not require power during an outage. The
Batteries (Optional Feature) Batteries can be included in the system to provide backup power in case of utility power outages. The solar panels recharge the batteries during the day. If you are looking for a reliable generating system that can function independently from the utility grid to keep essential appliances and services running during a blackout, batteries may be a viable component to add to your total system. System
Location and Size The best orientation for a SolarStar® system is on a south-facing roof; however, roofs that face east or west may also be acceptable. Flat roofs also work well for solar systems because the SolarStar® array can be mounted either flat on the roof facing the sky, or on frames tilted toward the south at an optimal angle. If a rooftop cannot be used, your PV array can also be placed on the ground in a fixed ground mounted grid system. For most residential and small offices, a 5 kW to 10 kW SolarStar® system should add real value. Several factors will influence the size of the SolarStar® system you select. As a starting point, consider how much of your present electricity needs your SolarStar® system should supply: part of the current usage, all of the current usage, or all of the current usage plus potential growth. Net
Metering Net metering allows utility customers to be
credited for all the electricity their SolarStar® system sends
back to the utility grid. This means that you get to use the excess
electricity you’ve produced when you need it, at no charge to you. Currently,
there is no provision to compensate the customer if their system produces
more electricity than they use. When the system produces more power than is
being used at the premises, the meter will spin backwards! At the end of your
annual billing cycle your utility company will send you a “True-up Statement”
showing the history of charges and credits over the last 12 months. For more
information or a site survey, please call 209-267-5225, or email us at sales@renewable.com. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1-800-550-SOLAR
(7652) — Renewable Technologies, Inc. © 2004 |
|||||