We don’t know what the future holds for us. What we do know is that the sun would never stop showing up. Consequently, we would never run out of solar energy. Add to it the fact that solar energy and solar PV system are environment friendly. It is why moving to renewable energy is the need of the hour.
If you are interested in setting up a solar power system at home or in a commercial space, you must learn the workings of solar PV panels before going ahead with the installation.
What are Solar PV Panels?
These panels capture the sun’s radiation and directly convert it into Direct Current (DC) electricity. The energy produced by the panels is used to power electric appliances and devices at home or in offices. There are essentially two types of solar PV panel systems, i.e., they are grid-connected systems and stand-alone systems.
As the name suggests, grid-connected systems are connected to a grid. It means the grid can continue powering your electric devices when the sun is not there at night.
On the other hand, stand-alone solar PV systems are not linked to a grid. They are an excellent source of electricity in remote areas. One can add solar batteries to the system to continue providing electricity to the devices.
How Do Solar PV Panels Work?
PV in the context of solar power systems means Photovoltaic. It is because the solar panels in this type of system are made of small interconnected photovoltaic cells. The PV cells are mostly made of silicon, which is a semiconducting material.
Solar PV cells are pretty efficient when combined in panels and arrays. An electric field is generated whenever the sun’s rays fall on them. The stronger the sun’s rays, the more energy is produced.
One of the many benefits of solar PV cells is that they can produce electricity even on a cloudy day. It means they don’t need direct sunlight to produce electric energy. One can get solar PV panels in various shapes and sizes so that they can be easily mounted on the rooftop.
Types of Solar PV Panels
When we talk about domestic PV panels, they can be categorized into the following types:
- Monocrystalline PV panels
- Polycrystalline PV panels
- Mono PERC PV Panels
The type of solar PV panel you should use will depend on your need and budget. However, brief knowledge about the three types will better equip you with the installation.
1. Monocrystalline PV Panels
They are made of a single silicon piece that makes electricity flow easily. The monocrystalline panels are highly efficient and are recommended for solar applications on a big scale, high-wattage appliances like microwaves and refrigerators, powering rural homes, and streetlights.
2. Polycrystalline PV Panels
They are made by melting silicon parts, making them economical and decently efficient. Their use is perfect across self-powered devices like traffic lights, off-grid houses, and others.
3. Mono PERC PV Panels
This type is highly efficient in low-light conditions. PERC stands for Passivated Emitter & Rear Cell and is an advanced form of monocrystalline panels. They are produced by adding a passivated layer in the back of the solar cells.
Maintenance of Solar PV Panels
To ensure the longevity of the PV panels, one needs to take care of their maintenance. Cleaning and maintaining solar PV panels is simple. To ensure a good flow of charge and electricity, pay attention to the fact that the trees don’t overshadow them.
If there is dirt or snow on them, clean the panels using warm water. If you can’t do it yourself, hire a window-cleaning company to clean and keep your solar PV panels highly functional.
For more information on their maintenance, take specific instructions from the manufacturer. Remember to choose a reputed brand such as Luminous. It is because the maintenance will almost be negligible, and so will the maintenance cost. Save time thinking, act now and get yourself solar PV panels right now!
