Components Of A Solar Power System

A solar power system is comprised of different components.   PV solar panel modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV solar panels arrays, one or more battery,  a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system, an inverter for a utility-grid-connected system, necessary to convert alternating current (ac) rather than direct current (dc) which is required for homes, wiring and solar panel mounting hardware.

Solar panels works best if the system faces directly south in the Northern hemisphere, however southeast and southwest facing solar panels produce almost identical amounts of solar energy as those facing due south. Solar panels facing east and west still produce solar power, but will not produce the same amount of solar energy as a South facing system.  However, most residential consumers do not need the maximum amount of solar energy to offset their utility usage.   The ideal roof orientation is 180-200 degrees on the compass (known as ‘solar south’), but a range between 155 and 245 degrees will be sufficient for your solar panels. Within this range, solar energy output stays within seven or ten percent of maximum.    A solar power site assessment will allow the solar installer to accurately predict how much energy your system will need to produce and how best to mount your solar panels.  If your rooftop faces north and doesn’t have sun exposure, solar panels can be ground mounted if there is enough direct sunlight.

Solar power changed in the 1990’s with the grid-tied inverter.  Instead of connecting solar panels to batteries, the system is attached to an inverter, which converts Direct Current electricity generated by the solar panels into Alternating Current electricity. The inverter allows your solar energy system to feed excess power to the grid, or draw electricity from the grid when there is not enough sun to power your solar panels.  The inverter has paved the way for Solar Power Buy Back programs, meaning that when more solar energy is produced than you need, the excess flows out to the grid and you get a credit from the utility.