PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND THEIR COMPONENTS

PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND THEIR COMPONENTS

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS

Solar energy Solar power technology can further reduce your carbon footprint, help you lower your monthly energy costs, and increase the resale value of your home. Benefits of solar panels and battery storage systems for the home

We recommend that you optimize the energy efficiency of your home before installing solar panels with battery storage systems. This will help you determine how many solar panels you will need to save the most with the least energy consumption. To learn more about how you can save money with solar energy and home storage systems, 

visit cpuc.ca.gov/nem. Battery storage systems allow you to accumulate the energy generated during periods of less use and use it at night to avoid the consumption of electricity from the grid during peak hours.

In multi-family properties, solar energy systems can also be installed in apartments and common areas, such as community rooms, laundry rooms, parking lots, etc. Landlords can coordinate with the local utility company to establish a “virtual metering system” 

whereby bill credits from on-site solar power production are divided between tenants and landlords. Californians can produce solar energy to help lower their monthly energy costs, regardless of the type of home.

Beyond how good this is to your budget, the electricity generated by solar energy systems with battery storage will help you cover your energy use, reduce your carbon footprint and help California eliminate gas emissions from the greenhouse effect from electricity generation by 2045.

How do they work

Solar energy systems harness the energy in the sun's rays and convert it into electricity. During the solar electricity production process, solar panels capture particles of sunlight, called photons, and convert them into electrons or direct current (DC). The electrons then go through an inverter and convert direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC),

 which is the type of power found in wall outlets. Systems that combine solar panels with battery storage work as follows: During daylight hours, when they generate additional electricity, solar panels charge the batteries. This stored energy can then be used at night when the panels are not producing enough electricity to meet the property's demand.

Programs for solar energy and batteries

To help with access to solar power and batteries, programs are available to support the introduction of new technologies, expand low-income access, and increase climate resilience. Learn more about current offerings at

PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND THEIR COMPONENTS:
photovoltaic-off-grid solar energy

A photovoltaic solar energy system, also called a solar energy system or even a photovoltaic system, is a system capable of generating electrical energy through solar radiation. There are two basic types of photovoltaic systems: Isolated Systems (Off-grid) and Grid-Connected Systems (Grid-tie).

Isolated Systems are used in remote locations or where the cost of connecting to the power grid is high. They are used in country houses, refuges, lighting, telecommunications, water pumps, etc. Grid-Connected Systems, on the other hand, replace or supplement conventional electrical energy available on the grid.

 

A photovoltaic system has four basic components:

Solar panels - play the role of the heart, "pumping" energy into the system. They can be one or more panels and are dimensioned according to the energy required. They are responsible for transforming solar energy into electricity.

Charge Controllers – Act as valves to the system. They serve to avoid overcharging or over-discharging the battery, increasing its useful life and performance.

Inverters – System brains, are responsible for transforming the 12 V of direct current (DC) of the batteries into 110 or 220 V of alternating current (AC), or another desired voltage. In the case of connected systems, they are also responsible for synchronizing with the electrical network.

Batteries – Work like lungs. They store electrical energy so that the system can be used when there is no sun.

solar-photovoltaic-grid-tie

While an isolated system requires batteries and charge controllers, grid-connected systems only work with panels and inverters, as they do not need to store energy