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How solar works

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Photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar cells, turn the energy of the sun into useful electricity. They achieve this without making noise or make use of fragile constructions. They don't relay on fossil fuels so they won't leave a carbon footprint. For that reason you will not have to worry about utility rate rises any longer and you will live green. Firstly I´ll explain you how solar works.

The battery
Solar PV installations come in two types: with battery and direct. On a day with high sun intensity the batteries of your PV system will be charged. A normal household uses 20 to 30 Kwh. A battery system provides a little less (18 Kwh). Battery systems are however not only suitable for off-grid solar power installations, they also serve as storage with regular grid connected homes for when the sun doesn´t shine.

If you wish to know how solar works, you must bear in mind first that you can't just plug your solar installation into your house wiring. The voltage of your solar panel varies widely because of the changing solar intensity. The varying in voltage would blow away your home equipment. Batteries, inverters and transfer switches are part of a special equipment you can use too avoid this. To absorb the changing power output the batteries operate as a buffer as well as a storage system.

Do you live in a place where you can be connected to the grid? Then you won't need a battery. But it might come in handy when the grid isn't operating correctly. With the electricity of the sun you can power your dishwasher through the grid connection..

When the sun isn't shining, on cloudy days or at nighttime, you will still require electricity. This is the time when you will be able to use the energy which is collected in the batteries. You also have to use a battery-bank when you installed home made solar panels and it is not possible to give the electricity to the grid.. This is just the way how solar works.

Besides a PV panel, which generates electricity when the sun is shining, you will need more items to control your electricity.
Which items you will use is completely up to you and depends on the system you use. An inverter is one of the items you can't go without. The inverter converts the energy which is stored in the batteries (direct current DC power) into energy which we use in our houses (alternating current AC power).

Inverters
A bank of batteries will normally offer you 12volts, 24volts, or 36volts, whilst grid energy is usually at 240volts. In your house you will want at least 240 volts, the inverter changes the 12, 24 or 36 volts of the bank of batteries into 240 volts. A ‘true sine wave’ inverter delivers a harmonious flow of energy to your devices, just like the flow which comes from the grid. This flow protects the sensitive objects which are in your house like a PC or a fridge or objects which need a dimmer or speed control. This is essential when you wish to know how solar works.

Now You can go to a local solar contracter or build your own solar panel to decrease your energy bill.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Find here the latest Review of the Best Guides for DIY Solar Energy. Find out more on How Solar Works here. About the author: Marly Kester is an expert in renewable energies and energy efficiency for Enerfy. Enerfy is an energy consultancy company advising their business customers on energy an

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