Solar Power Systems – What Are The Different Types

Solar power systems come in two basic types – the standalone system and the grid connected system. In a standalone system, the solar power generated would be the only source of energy that can be used for household needs. A grid connected system, on the other hand, allows the system to fall back on an alternative source of energy to meet shortfalls in demand.

For people looking to save on electricity costs, using solar power systems is a good alternative. Since energy is produced using the sun’s rays, which is freely available, solar power cost is much lower than that of other sources such as electricity. In addition, it is less harmful to the environment as it does not involve burning fuels or using scarce natural resources. The only point that keeps people away from solar power systems is the perceived high cost of initial investment.

However, if you look at long term costs, then using solar power systems are more economical as once the initial cost is recovered through the savings made in electricity bills, the energy is practically free of cost. The cost of installing a solar energy system would also vary depending on the size of the home and the amount of energy consumed. There are two main types of solar power systems – the stand alone system and the grid connected system.

Standalone systems are those where the solar power systems operate independently. They do not have a backup energy source to fall back on in case there is a shortage. The way a standalone system functions is that when the solar rays pass over the photo voltaic cells, they generate energy which is then stored in batteries. From here, using an inverter that converts the direct current to an alternating current, the energy is transmitted throughout the home for use in electrical appliances and lighting. The drawback of this system is that on cloudy days or in winter when the daylight hours are reduced, the system would only work at around half its efficiency.

Grid connected solar power systems are a sort of hybrid. They use solar energy in conjunction with another type of energy such as electricity so that the systems can fall back on the other source to meet shortfalls. In this type of system, there would be an interface panel that serves as the control point that judges the amount of energy available from either source. During the day, when solar energy is higher, the system would run on solar power while at night the system would get a feedback that the solar power generation was low and switch to the other source.

While installing solar panel systems can be done on your own, it is best to get the advice of an expert to ensure that the system is efficiently designed to maximize savings as well as take care of the highest demand for energy. By planning and installing a cost efficient system, solar power cost would be greatly reduced.


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