Adelaide homes can save money on electricity bills with a rooftop solar power system. A 6.6kW north-facing system can generate around 28 kWh on average daily throughout the year, enough to reduce household power consumption by up to 40%.
Electricity retailers determine the feed-in tariff offered, and customers are advised to choose a suitable plan before investing in a solar panel installation. The best way to compare electricity prices is by using an online tool. For quality solar panels Adelaide, check this out.
Photovoltaic Cells
The heart of any solar energy system is its photovoltaic cells. A typical residential solar PV system contains 60 or more photovoltaic cells that work together to create electricity.
A layer of semiconductor material on a solar panel absorbs the light that hits it, causing electrons to break free of their atomic bonds. Those electrons flow around the cell, creating positive charge carriers known as holes.
The negative side of the hole is connected to a wire or metal strip on the solar cell, while the positive side is attached to a battery that stores energy for later use. The cell generates direct current (DC) electricity. That electricity can be used to power devices that use DC power, or it can be stored in a battery for use at night.
Inverters
A solar inverter is an essential component of any solar energy system. It converts the DC power generated by your solar panels into AC power that your home can use. It also selects the most productive operating voltage for your panels automatically. For quality solar panels Adelaide, check this out.
Solar panels produce electricity in the form of DC, whereas most homes are wired to use AC power. An inverter is needed to convert this energy into something your home’s electrical wiring can use.
The optimum angle of your roof should be North, but this isn’t always practical as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Luckily, solar professionals can find a solution for you and your roof that maximises electricity production, even if it isn’t an accurate north-facing installation.
Solar panels that face east or west will still produce energy, but the overall efficiency is lower than with a north-facing roof. Talk to your solar installer about the best solution for your roof, considering your daily routine and consumption patterns.
Roof Orientation
Panels that face east tend to produce around 12% less electricity than north-facing ones. However, they can be beneficial if you use a lot of electricity in the morning, particularly during winter, when you may want to heat your house.
Panels that face west are similar to those facing east in their energy production. They also reach their maximum output during the afternoon, which can be helpful if you’re likely to consume a large amount of electricity from the grid between 2 pm and 8 pm.
Tilt
If your solar panels are oriented correctly, they will generate power proportional to the sunlight they receive daily. However, the sun’s position across the sky at any given time changes throughout the year. It’s essential to look at the equivalent peak sun hours for your location and the time of year when you plan to install your system.
It is recommended that your solar panels are tilted to 30 degrees and facing true North. It will maximise their energy production during the summer months.
When selecting solar panels, it’s important to take into account the local climate and your electricity consumption habits. For example, you’ll likely need a larger solar power system if you use a lot of electricity during the daytime. In contrast, if you’re a light energy user, then you may be able to get away with a smaller system.
A good place to start is by researching different solar panel manufacturers. Look at online