Solar energy is the most abundant type of energy in the world. It is the energy gotten from the sun. The sun helps us in different ways. For example, it dries our clothes, dries grains, keeps the temperature of the Earth balanced, and many other benefits.
As a beginner, this article will walk you through solar power and frequently asked questions about solar energy.
What is solar power?
Solar power is the conversion of solar energy which is derived from the sun to electricity. It gives you the ability to tap into the resources hidden in the sun. Instead of powering your home, farm, office, and other stations of yours with a generator or the grid, you can power them using the energy from the sun.
The sun which is 14.24million kilometers away from the Earth can release more energy on the Earth in one hour than can be used by everyone in the world in one year.
What does solar power involve?
To effectively enjoy the free energy distributed by the sun, there are some basic components you need to set up. They include:
- Solar panels: solar panels can be likened to a fuel pump. It captures energy from the sun and stores it in a battery.
- Batteries: The batteries are likened to a fuel tank that receives fuel from the pump. Energy is stored as direct current (DC) form in the batteries and when needed, it is converted from direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC) by an inverter converter, and electricity is supplied to your home, farm, office, or wherever your installation was made.
How long has solar been around?
Solar has been around for a very long time as the concept of photovoltaic was discovered far back as 1800’s. The first commercial application of photovoltaics was called solar batteries and was used in 1955 by Bell labs. They were used mainly in remote areas to power telephone switches.
Do solar panels generate electricity when it rains?
Yes, they do.
All the panel needs is a little bit of light. Somewhere about 6:30 am is bright enough to produce electricity from your patterns to charge your panels.
One thing you should keep in mind is this, during rainy days, you may not produce maximum electricity. Getting more solar panels can remedy this situation. However, it is expensive so the best you can do during rainy days is to turn off all appliances and let the sun charge your batteries or you use a generator to recharge your batteries.
Can I power my refrigerator with solar?
Yes, you can. A system of about one and a half kilowatt can power your refrigerator, freezer, lights, television, and fans without any problem.
Can solar power an air conditioner?
Yes, solar power can power an air conditioner. Although, it isn’t advisable to run an air conditioner when you have a limited solar budget because it requires more storage (more solar panels and batteries) which can be expensive.
Is the power gotten from the sun as strong as the power that comes from the grid?
Yes, it is.
The power produced is a pure sine wave which is similar to the energy produced by a good quality grid. This doesn’t allow you to get the noise you normally receive from the grid due to poor transformers or cheap generators. It also produces a constant voltage which makes your appliances happy and makes you feel comfortable.
What kind of batteries does AWPS use?
At AWPS, we use lithium ion batteries only. They can be discharged to 90% and will last for 10 years or more. They are backed by a 10 year warranty
Solar is quite expensive. Why should I buy?
Of course, solar is expensive.
Some reasons you should consider buying solar is this
- It saves you from noise.
- When you consider the money spent on fuel, (it is quite outrageous). Solar saves you from this expense.
- Solar reduces noise and environmental pollution
- Health-related hazards that are caused by exposure to fumes are minimized.
- Solar saves you from poor practices that can lead to permanent disability.
- Maintaining a generator is expensive which isn’t the same as solar. When you install solar, you pay once, and you are covered for a long period.
You may also like benefits of solar panel installation for your home.
Solar or inverter?
An inverter is an uninterrupted power supply. It is charged by the grid or your generator. The grid and the generator are expensive
At AWPS, our systems are designed to be a permanent backup. The circuit board of the systems are thicker, they possess cooling fans so they can run for a longer period.
Solar requires no generator unless you purchase a minimal system or run days of cloudy weather. Our system charges using solar, generator, or grid power supply.
There you have it, a beginner’s guide to solar power. Have you got questions about solar power?
Do well to drop them in the comment section.