Harnessing The Sun For Your Home

The power of the sun can be an interesting way to provide alternative energy to your own home. Before you make the plunge and go solar, it is important to have an understanding of its components.

Solar energy is still based on an electric platform, but have components unique to it that utilize the sun's power. Here's some of the jargon you are going to need to be familiar with before buying.

Photovoltaic Cell. This cell is the chief component in all solar platforms. This is commonly abbreviated as "PV cell" and is a small solar cell containing silicon and protected by a layer of glass. The PV cell works its wonders when the sun hits the silicon inside the cell, as the PV cell then creates a charge. A few wires would then convert the raw electricity into solar energy. Depending on the nature of the cell, each should produce roughly half a volt.

Solar Panel. A single panel typically is insufficient to produce enough energy to power anything of significance in your home.

The Solar, Or Photovoltaic System Several solar panels working together to provide energy would be a photovoltaic system, also known as a solar system. Solar power systems are seen on the roofs of solar-powered homes and buildings. Now this would be the system capable enough of providing enough power to ensure an operational home.

What Is Orientation In Relation To Solar? Before installing a panel system, one has to give some thought regarding where to put it. The sun shines in different directions, and reflects itself in a certain way. You would need to adjust, or orient your solar panels in such a way that they get the bulk of the sun's rays. You get all the electricity you need, and possibly some in excess.

What Is Direct Current? Direct current, or DC for short, is electricity that moves in one direction. Solar cells produce direct current electricity, as it moves in one way.

AC, or Alternating Current Conversely, this would be electricity moving in both directions. AC power is what you use in a conventional, non-solar powered home.

Why You Need An Inverter A key component in a solar panel system. The inverter converts the direct current produced by the solar panels into AC power that can be used in the home or fed back into a utility power grid system.

Obviously, there are a wide variety of systems for converting sunlight into power. Knowing the jargon is half the battle when it comes to understanding how solar power works and how you could get it to work in your home.


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