Solar Power Information - Basic

Solar power information, solar systems, solar energy house, solar panels, solar trough, solar tower - where do you go to get the best information about solar power? Solar power has great potential, but sometimes it’s difficult to find the solar power information you need.

You probably know that the solar system itself is our sun, along with the planets and celestial bodies that revolve around it. But what is solar power?

Define Solar Power

The best place to start a quest for solar power information is a simple working definition of solar power.

Solar power is energy that has been released by the sun in sunlight, harnessed by one of several methods, and converted into useable thermal or electrical energy.

In other words, when we use solar cells and other means to collect the energy delivered by sunlight, and change that energy into electricity, we get solar power.

Solar Power Home

Solar Power Homes heat water and produce electricity for lighting and smaller appliances with solar power. Solar Power Homes also use heat from the sun in passive ways, such as warming the house through large, slanted windows that allow maximum sunlight to reach inner halls and rooms.

Making Solar Power Work for You

Solar power electricity works well for most small electrical appliances. It also works well for appliances such as gas clothes dryers that require some electricity, but use gas for heat. If an appliance has an electric heat element, you will not find it cost-effective to run that appliance on solar power. This includes such items as water heaters, clothes dryers, and electric ranges. A totally electric home heating system would likewise not be cost-effective.

Collecting Solar Energy

The four main things you need to turn solar power into electricity that will give you normal, 120-volt AC power for daily use are:

1. solar power panels
2. charge controller
3. battery
4. inverter

Solar Power Homes usually collect solar energy in solar panels (PV panels) located on the house roof or the ground near the house. PV panels are made of silicon, a natural element that becomes electrically charged when sunlight hits it. The PV panels on a Solar Power Home in the northern hemisphere are turned toward “solar south” while those in the southern hemisphere are turned toward “solar north” - directions that are slightly different from the north and south on your magnetic compass. Solar power panels are placed at an angle, decided by your geographical location, so they can take best advantage of the sunlight. A group of solar power panels is known as a solar array. Your solar array may be set at an angle equal to the latitude where you live.

As your solar power array collects sunlight, an electrical charge is consolidated in the PV panel and directed to the output terminals to produce low voltage (Direct Current) - usually 6 to 24 volts.

This voltage will charge your battery, with the charge regulator insuring proper charging of the battery.

The charged battery then provides DC voltage to the inverter. The inverter converts your low DC voltage to normal, 120-volt AC power.

In a future article, we will present additional, basic solar power information.