Understanding the parts that make up solar energy systems is important when deciding to implement solar power into your home. Although all solar systems are comprised of the same few essential components, no solar system is really the same, as every household has different needs. The basic workings of the systems are as follows - solar panels placed on the roof collect photovoltaic energy from the sun, then that energy is converted from DC to AC by the inverter. The solar panels on the roof can greatly vary in size and are capable of powering different types of properties, including commercial, residential and utility-scale zones. The system can be either grid-tied or off-grid. Off-grid systems require a few extra components to function properly, including charge controllers and batteries. Here are the components that make up solar systems and what each and every one of them does to make the system operate.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are what you picture when you think about solar systems. They're made up of solar cells, glass and framing. Their purpose is to collect and harness PV energy from the sun, and deliver the energy as direct current (DC) to the sine wave inverters (sometimes charge controller). The DC powered harnessed by solar panels is an electric current that only flows in one direction. This type of power isn't readily usable by your household appliances, so it must be converted into alternating current (AC). Solar panels can be either polycrystalline or monocrystalline, and the difference between the two types lies within how the silicon crystals in the wafers or ingots are harvested, formed and developed. Both types are effective in their ability to harvest and produce solar electricity, with monocrystalline solar panels being considered the superior product.
Inverters
Inverters, as briefly aforementioned, take the DC energy generated by the panels and convert it into usable AC energy, which is then sent to a breaker and is made available for use. If the system is off-grid, the inverter may be located after a battery bank and charge controller. Sine wave inverters come in different sizes and types, and they implement various technologies. The most common types of sine wave inverters for sale are: string inverters, microinverters, central inverters and battery-based inverters. Each type has its own distinct technical and mechanical characteristics. The two most popular grid-tied inverter types are string and microinverters.
String inverters are the most cost-effective option, and they're ideal for applications where the solar panels aren't shaded at any point throughout the day. The panels on your roof will be arranged in groups that are connected by strings, and each string is connected to an inverter. A string of panels produces as much electricity as the least productive panel on the string, so if one of the panels is shaded, the output of the entire string will be reduced to that level.
Microinverters are a newer technology, and they're becoming more and more popular and affordable for consumers. These inverters are installed on each solar panel of the system. Microinverters can either be integrated into the solar panels themselves, or be mounted next to them. These inverters cancel the negative effects of shading, simply because the DC to AC conversion takes place at each panel.
Monitoring Equipment
The monitoring equipment are typically connected to the inverter manufacturer, and they keep track and relay system energy information analytics to a web connected or product console device through their software. The monitoring equipment can be either integrated into the inverter itself, or be connected to another part of the PV array. The monitoring technology displays a wide range of information - from energy generated by the panels to real time data, energy yield data over a specific amount of time and immediate fault detection and troubleshooting. A comprehensive monitoring setup can help you get a better understanding of how your solar system operates in real time and over the course of the solar system's entire lifespan.
Mounting and Racking Components
These parts, as their name implies, work to ensure the photovoltaic array is connected to either the roof or the ground and is made up of a couple of products that comprise an entire racking system. Most racking systems include a combination of mounting brackets, rails, flashings, wire clips, lugs, braces, splice kits, attachments, tilt legs and end caps. Ground mounting systems will also require steel and concrete piping. These components are an essential, yet underrated parts of any solar system, and both ground and rooftop mount arrays need to be set atop a reliable and sound structure to ensure the system maintains integrity and operates for a prolonged period of time.
Balance of System Components
The purpose of these components is to combine the electrical products within the solar system, then combine and deliver a series of power distribution and control options for the PV array. Some of the parts that fall under this category include junction boxes, DC/AC disconnects, combiner boxes, fuses, circuit breakers, rapid shutdowns, load centers and surge devices. Every PV array requires a series of power control options and safeguards for the integrity and the safety of the system, or to even enable emergency maintenance in the event of a fire or other issues that may arise.
Solar panels are what you picture when you think about solar systems. They're made up of solar cells, glass and framing. Their purpose is to collect and harness PV energy from the sun, and deliver the energy as direct current (DC) to the sine wave inverters (sometimes charge controller). The DC powered harnessed by solar panels is an electric current that only flows in one direction. This type of power isn't readily usable by your household appliances, so it must be converted into alternating current (AC). Solar panels can be either polycrystalline or monocrystalline, and the difference between the two types lies within how the silicon crystals in the wafers or ingots are harvested, formed and developed. Both types are effective in their ability to harvest and produce solar electricity, with monocrystalline solar panels being considered the superior product.
Inverters
Inverters, as briefly aforementioned, take the DC energy generated by the panels and convert it into usable AC energy, which is then sent to a breaker and is made available for use. If the system is off-grid, the inverter may be located after a battery bank and charge controller. Sine wave inverters come in different sizes and types, and they implement various technologies. The most common types of sine wave inverters for sale are: string inverters, microinverters, central inverters and battery-based inverters. Each type has its own distinct technical and mechanical characteristics. The two most popular grid-tied inverter types are string and microinverters.
String inverters are the most cost-effective option, and they're ideal for applications where the solar panels aren't shaded at any point throughout the day. The panels on your roof will be arranged in groups that are connected by strings, and each string is connected to an inverter. A string of panels produces as much electricity as the least productive panel on the string, so if one of the panels is shaded, the output of the entire string will be reduced to that level.
Microinverters are a newer technology, and they're becoming more and more popular and affordable for consumers. These inverters are installed on each solar panel of the system. Microinverters can either be integrated into the solar panels themselves, or be mounted next to them. These inverters cancel the negative effects of shading, simply because the DC to AC conversion takes place at each panel.
Monitoring Equipment
The monitoring equipment are typically connected to the inverter manufacturer, and they keep track and relay system energy information analytics to a web connected or product console device through their software. The monitoring equipment can be either integrated into the inverter itself, or be connected to another part of the PV array. The monitoring technology displays a wide range of information - from energy generated by the panels to real time data, energy yield data over a specific amount of time and immediate fault detection and troubleshooting. A comprehensive monitoring setup can help you get a better understanding of how your solar system operates in real time and over the course of the solar system's entire lifespan.
Mounting and Racking Components
These parts, as their name implies, work to ensure the photovoltaic array is connected to either the roof or the ground and is made up of a couple of products that comprise an entire racking system. Most racking systems include a combination of mounting brackets, rails, flashings, wire clips, lugs, braces, splice kits, attachments, tilt legs and end caps. Ground mounting systems will also require steel and concrete piping. These components are an essential, yet underrated parts of any solar system, and both ground and rooftop mount arrays need to be set atop a reliable and sound structure to ensure the system maintains integrity and operates for a prolonged period of time.
Balance of System Components
The purpose of these components is to combine the electrical products within the solar system, then combine and deliver a series of power distribution and control options for the PV array. Some of the parts that fall under this category include junction boxes, DC/AC disconnects, combiner boxes, fuses, circuit breakers, rapid shutdowns, load centers and surge devices. Every PV array requires a series of power control options and safeguards for the integrity and the safety of the system, or to even enable emergency maintenance in the event of a fire or other issues that may arise.
