New Generation Energy and Environment Solar, Wind, Green Roofing Installation

How Solar Power Works

History of Solar

The science of photovoltaics began in 1838 with a pair of French physicists working on the generation of electricity through chemical reactions. The physicists noticed that exposing the apparatus to sunlight increased the output of electrical energy. By 1954, Bell Laboratories announced the developments that finally brought photovoltaics out of the lab and into the realm of practical application, the single-crystal silicon cell.

How Solar Electricity Works

1. Solar panels collect the sun's energy and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. The number of panels you need is determined by your electricity needs.

2. An inverter converts the electricity from DC to alternating current (AC) electricity for use in your home.

3. A bi-directional electric meter displays net power usage. When you generate more than you use, your meter spins backwards, lowering your electricity bill. When you generate less, it spins slowly forward.

4. You now produce your own electricity to be used throughout the home. Since there are no moving parts, you don't have to worry about maintenance. You can track your system's production with the REC Solar Wireless Display conveniently from inside your home.

Photovoltaic Arrays

Both AC and DC systems will have a foundation and support structure for the PV array. The type and construction are dependent on the type of mounting, ground-mounted or roof-mounted, the size of the array, local wind and snow loading conditions, the tilt of the array, and if any type of tracking is utilized. Fixed mounting-- that is, mounting an array south-facing at a fixed tilt-- is usually the least expensive method and requires no moving parts. The tilt of a fixed array is dependent on the sunlight and load match-- for summer peak loads the tilt is usually at latitude or slightly less than site latitude; for winter loads, the tilt may be at higher angles than the latitude. The solar array also might be oriented toward the southwest or even the west to obtain load coincidence.