Typical Solar Power Set Up
Each sunny day the sun produces nearly 1,000 watts of energy per square yard of the earth's surface. Someday, every home on the planet could be tapping into some of this clean, renewable resource. Today, typical solar power set-ups are collecting some of this energy for use in homes, businesses and other applications like street lighting and back-up electric storage.
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The Photoelectric Effect
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Solar power is based on a natural phenomenon called the photoelectric effect--the observation that when a light is directed onto a piece of metal, a current flows through that metal. A photoelectric current is produced as a result of the light passing energy to electrons in the metal. The process of capturing these electrons drives the typical solar electric system.
System Components
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Most solar electric systems are connected to the utility company's electric grid and are made up of four main components: solar panel, inverter, breaker panel and utility meter.
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Function
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Sunlight hits the semiconductors inside the solar panel, enabling the creation of an electric current. That electricity runs through wiring to an inverter, and the direct current (DC) is changed to alternating current (AC) necessary to run home appliances and the utility grid. From the inverter, the AC voltage runs through the breaker panel where it is directed to the home's electric use or to the utility meter outside the house. The utility meter measures the extra solar-collected electricity and sends it to the grid for use elsewhere. When this solar electricity is sent to the grid the home's meter rolls backward.
Safety
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Three main safety features needed to protect a typical grid-connected system are safety disconnects, grounding equipment and surge protection. Safety disconnects protect the wiring and components from power surges and equipment malfunction and makes sure your system can be shut down quickly when necessary. Grounding equipment offers a low resistance route from your system to the ground for protection against lightning or equipment failure. Surge protection devices protect your system and nearby grid power lines from lightning hits.
Significance
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The use of clean, renewable solar-collected power reduces the amount of electricity purchased from your electric service provider, lessens our reliance on fossil fuels and helps to decrease the amount of greenhouse gasses released to the atmosphere.
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References
- Photo Credit photovoltaik image by Otmar Smit from Fotolia.com
