SOLAR ELECTRICITY

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT SOLAR ELECTRICITY, THAT IS, ELECTRICITY FROM THE SUN?
IN AFRICA THESE IS NOT PREDOMINANT DESPITE THE AVAILABLE AND ABUNDANT SOLAR RESOURCES, BUT SOLAR ELECTRICITY IS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL POWER SUPPLY.

HOW DO WE GET SOLAR ELECTRICITY?-
Using solar power to produce electricity is not the same as using solar to produce heat. Solar thermal principles are applied to produce hot fluids or air. Photovoltaic principles are used to produce electricity.
A solar panel (PV panel) is made of the natural element, silicon, which becomes charged electrically when subjected to sun light.
Solar panels are directed at solar south in the northern hemisphere and solar north in the southern hemisphere (these are slightly different than magnetic compass north-south directions) at an angle dictated by the geographic location and latitude of where they are to be installed.
This electrical charge is consolidated in the PV panel and directed to the output terminals to produce low voltage (Direct Current) - usually 6 to 24 volts. The most common output is intended for nominal 12volts, with an effective output usually up to 17 volts. A 12 volt nominal output is the reference voltage, but the operating voltage can be 17 volts or higher much like your car alternator charges your 12 volt battery at well over 12 volts. So there's a difference between the reference voltage and the actual operating voltage.

Let’s consider some fallacies about the solar cells

1. PV is too costly and will never compete with "the big boys" of power generation. Besides, you can never get the energy out that it takes to produce the system.

The cost of producing PV modules, in constant dollars, has fallen from as much as $50 per peak watt in 1980 to as little as $3 per peak watt today. This causes PV electricity costs to drop 15¢-25¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh), which is competitive in many applications

2. Solar electricity cannot serve any significant fraction of world electricity needs.

PV technology can meet electricity demand on any scale. The solar energy resource in a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply the United States with all its electricity (about 800 gigawatts) using modestly efficient (10%) commercial PV modules.

3. Solar electricity can do everything — right now!

No way. Solar electricity will eventually become a major player in the world's energy portfolio. The industry just doesn't have the capacity to meet all demands right now. But assuming that the proper investments are made now and are sustained, the industry will become significant in the next few decades.

4. Photovoltaic is a polluting industry.
The PV industry is neither "squeaky clean" nor a major environmental, safety, or health problem. When it comes to emissions, PV's electricity-generating portion of the fuel cycle is the clear winner versus fossil fuel sources.

Watch out for more details in subsequent posts, but if you need more details, please contact me. I would be showcasing some inverters in the maeket shortly and the price ranges. I will also be comming up with some special packages on inverters and others very soon.