Solar Power Facts

Solar panels already sound pretty neat but are actually referred to as solar photovoltaic or PV due to the way they work. Solar panels consist of a number of interconnected solar cells. The sun’s light is absorbed by the solar panels, and the silicon and conductors convert it into DC (Direct Current) electricity. This is the same electricity batteries produce, but it is not good for your home since your home runs on AC (Alternating Current). To fix this the current flows into an inverter, which converts the DC electricity into AC  electricity which can then be used by your home appliances.

The majority of solar panel systems are grid-connected. It is designed so that excess electric power from solar panels will be returned to the grid if they are producing more than what your home needs at the time. In the event that you require more power than your panels can provide, your home will still draw electricity from the grid.

At night, solar panels do not generate power. As a result, electricity generated cannot be stored to be used later without a storage battery system.

Solar power is on the rise

• World economic forum say solar panel installations are booming due to an increase in demand from consumer looking for new and renewable sources of electricity. Every day, solar power companies install enough solar panels to cover 1000 football fields.

Air pollution can hinder solar power

• In areas where pollution levels are low, solar energy generation works better. There is no doubt that fewer pollutants in the atmosphere make the sun’s rays more effective at reaching the earth. Using renewable energy should result in cleaner air. Therefore, solar energy generation will be easier. More sunlight will be absorbed by solar panels and more power will be produced. It creates a domino effect. Due to a cleaner environment, solar and other renewables become more efficient as we move towards them. In turn, your solar installation will save you more money and produce more energy.

Solar energy is everywhere

• 173,000 terawatts of solar energy strike the Earth continuously, making solar energy the most abundant energy source on earth. This is more than 10,000 times the total energy consumed throughout the world. A one-hour period of direct sunlight would be enough to power all of Earth for an entire year.

Solar panels work on cloudy days too

• On cloudy days, solar panels still generate power because of the sun’s abundant energy, which they can absorb and convert into electricity. But direct sunlight isn’t necessarily required. It is possible to capture different parts of the sun’s light spectrum using solar panels. So, even if the sun isn’t directly shining on the panels – or if it’s a cloudy day, the solar panels still gather and process the light.

Solar power is clean green energy and in New Zealand, that is our kind of energy. Talk to us today about your solar needs.