Solar Energy

Sunlight is a powerful force that can be used to create energy. Whether to create electricity with photovoltaics, heating water, lighting, solar ventilation, or even cooking, the sun's energy combined with innovation can work magic! For the purpose of this page, I will focus on creating electricity using photovoltaics.

Photovoltaics use solar cells or photovoltaic arrays to convert sunlight into electricity. Essentially a solar cell is a "sandwich" of crystalline Silicon with a metal junction. Light excites the Silicon electrons which conduct through the solar array as DC (Direct Current) power. The photoarray is connected to an Inverter, which converts the DC electricity into AC (Alternating Current) power which is used in our homes and businesses.

Here are some definitions: solar cells are the small cells that make up a solar panel. A solar array or photovoltaic array is a series of solar panels.

There are many ways to hook up your solar array to a house or building:

1. Keep the building hooked to "the grid". The solar panels are used during the day and the grid is used at night (when obviously there is no sunlight). Electrical costs are reduced but you still pay for the electricity you use at night. No batteries are needed because you are still hooked up to the grid.

2. Off "the grid". The solar array completely generates the electricity for the home or building. A large series of good quality deep cycle batteries are used to store electricity to use on cloudy days and at night. Some buildings may still be hooked up to the grid in case of emergency, but the owner would have very low or nil costs on their energy bills. Some countries have power companies that buy the excess electricity you may produce by your solar array.

More to come... (I need to study the technical stuff and see if I can explain it in common language)...

Written and Researched by Kim Tanasichuk. Copyright © 2007-2009 Kim Tanasichuk. All Rights Reserved. You may not reproduce any content on this website without the written permission of Kim Tanasichuk.

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Lecture - Solar Energy and Solar Panel Installation	Easy Solar Power	How It's Made - Solar Panels