How solar rays works
Every hour, enough photons impact our planet to theoretically satisfy global energy needs for an entire year. Solar technology is improving and costs are dropping rapidly, though, so our ability to harness the sun’s abundance of energy is on the rise. It releases tiny packets of energy called photons, which travel the 93 million miles from the sun to Earth in about eight-and-a-half minutes. Our sun is a naturally occurring nuclear reactor. However, solar-generated power currently accounts for just four-tenths of one percent of the total energy consumed in the India. In fact, a report from the International Energy Agency indicates that solar energy could become the largest global source of electricity by 2050. In the coming years, we will all be enjoying the benefits of solar-generated electricity in one way or another.
Basics of electricity
However, solar panels create DC (direct current) electricity. How do we get DC electricity into the AC grid? We use an inverter. With DC electricity, electrons flow in one direction around a circuit. Electrical power grid, primarily because it is less expensive to transmit over long distances. Many different energy sources can “turn the handle” of this generator, such as gas or diesel fuel, hydroelectricity, nuclear, coal, wind, or solar.
The electrons move from the negative side of the battery, through the lamp, and return to the positive side of the battery.
With AC (alternating current) electricity, electrons are pushed and pulled, periodically reversing direction, much like the cylinder of a car’s engine. Generators create AC electricity when a coil of wire is spun next to a magnet.
Types of Solar PV Power Plants?
Grid-Tied Solar Systems
Grid-tied, on-grid, utility-interactive are all terms used to describe the same concept – a solar system that is connected to the utility power grid.
This is by far the most common, requires the least maintenance, and is the least expensive. However, grid tied systems automatically disconnects from the grid in the event of a power outage. This means you won’t have any power either. Whether this is an issue for you depends on the individual. If you only lose power 2 or 3 times a year for an hour or 2, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Off-Grid Solar Systems
An off-grid solar system (off-the-grid, standalone) is the obvious alternative to one that is grid-tied. For homeowners that have access to the grid, off-grid solar systems are usually out of question. Here`s why:
To ensure access to electricity at all times, off-grid solar systems require battery storage and a backup generator (if you live off-the-grid). On top of this, a battery bank typically needs to be replaced after 15 years. Batteries are complicated, expensive and decrease overall system efficiency.
Hybrid Solar Systems
Hybrid solar systems combines the best from grid-tied and off-grid solar systems. These systems can either be described as off-grid solar with utility backup power, or grid-tied solar with extra battery storage.
If you own a grid-tied solar system and drive a vehicle that runs on electricity, you already kind of have a hybrid setup. The electrical vehicle is really just a battery with wheels.
Most of our installations are grid tied. Next is grid tied with battery backup, and last is the occasional off grid system. Having trouble deciding? We can install a grid tied system and come back in the future to convert it to an AC coupled battery backup system. To do this, you keep all of your existing equipment, and we add a battery inverter, appropriate transfer switches, batteries, battery enclosure, battery monitoring, emergency panel, transfer circuits to the emergency panel and all the required electrical gear for a safe battery based backup system. By AC coupling the system, the solar panels don’t have to be rewired to a different voltage, and you still get the benefit of the production incentive..