Intro to Solar: Chapter 1
Intro to Solar
By the end of this module, you should be able to identify the different types of solar panels and how a solar technician spends his/her day. Skip to quiz!
Daily Activities by Solar Technician
Photovoltaic (PV) systems must be implemented following all applicable rules and regulations. Make use of diagrams, schematics, and guidelines. Put the solar cells, panels, or frames in the specified order.
Keep the array, the structure, and other infrastructure supporting it dry and safe. Identify the correct sizes, ratings, and locations for all grounding equipment, surge suppression devices, overcurrent devices, and disconnect devices.
The work is done outside, where there is no control over the weather. Anyone who goes outside when it's too hot or too cold can get hurt. Burns, scrapes, bites, or stings that aren't too bad may happen in exposed places.
Use standard safety equipment like safety helmets, safety goggles, gloves, safety belts, ear muffs, and life vests to avoid any kind of hazard.
Introduction to Solar
Solar energy comes from the sun's light and heat, which can be used in many ways. For instance, solar panels can be used to make electricity, and solar thermal energy can be used to heat water.
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. The term "solar radiation" refers to the sun's rays. This radiation can be harnessed by solar devices to provide usable energy.
Electromagnetic radiation is a type of energy moving in waves of electricity and magnetism.
Electromagnetic radiation is made up of these little packets of energy, which are called photons.
Solar Panel Technology: Solar panels use sunlight as a source of energy to generate direct current electricity. A PV panel is a group of PV modules, and a group of PV panels is called an array.
The photovoltaic (PV) effect is the generation of voltage and electric current in a material upon exposure to light.
The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons when electromagnetic radiation, such as light, hits a material. Electrons emitted in this manner are called photoelectrons.
In this module, you have learned about the following:
How a solar technician spends his/her day and work environment, and
Learned about solar energy and its history.
Solar Panels
By the end of this module, you should be able to identify solar panels and how it works. Skip to quiz!
Solar Power
Solar power is the process of turning the energy from the sun into electricity. This can be done directly with photovoltaics (PV), indirectly with concentrated solar power, or in a mix of both.
Recall that the photovoltaic effect is the generation of voltage and electric current in a material upon exposure to light.
Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, which are also called concentrating solar power (CSP) or concentrated solar thermal (CST) systems, use mirrors or lenses to focus a large area of sunlight onto a receiver. This is how solar power is made.
Solar Cell
A solar cell, also called a photovoltaic cell, is an electronic device that uses the photovoltaic effect, a physical and chemical process, to turn light energy into electricity directly. Recall that the photovoltaic effect is the generation of voltage and electric current in a material upon exposure to light.
Individual solar cell devices are often the electrical building blocks of photovoltaic modules, also called solar panels. We will discuss this in the upcoming topic. A common silicon solar cell with one junction can produce up to 0.5 to 0.6 volts when a circuit is open.
A solar panel also called a solar electric panel, photovoltaic (PV) module, or a solar panel is a group of photovoltaic cells mounted in a frame and used to make electricity.
Solar panels get their power from the sun and turn it into direct current electricity.Direct current (DC) is the flow of electricity in only one direction.
A single solar module can produce only a small amount of power. Most installations have more than one module, which adds voltage or current to the wiring and PV system.
The components of the photovoltaic system are:
The Array of photovoltaic modules,
An inverter,
A battery pack for energy storage,
A Charge Controller,
Interconnection wiring,
Circuit breakers,
Disconnect switches,
Voltage meters and, if desired, a solar tracking mechanism.
Equipment must be carefully selected to maximize output and energy storage, reduce power loss during transmission, and convert direct current to alternating current
Smart modules are a type of solar panel with a power optimizer built right into it when it's manufactured, even though they look just like regular solar panels.
Smart modules differ from traditional solar panels because their power electronics make them more functional, efficient, and safer. For example, they can track and monitor the panel-level maximum power point and ensure it is within reach.
In this module, you have learned about the following:
Learned about solar power, and
Learned about solar cells, solar panels, the array of solar modules, and smart solar modules.
Question #1: Which of the following safety equipment is a must when installing a solar panel? (Select all that apply)
Safety Helmets
Safety Goggles
Safety Belts
Ear Muffs
Gloves
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Answer: Safety Helmets
Safety Goggles
Safety Belts
Ear Muffs
Gloves
Wear standard safety gear like helmets, goggles, gloves, safety belts, ear muffs, and life vests when installing solar panels to avoid any kind of danger.
Question #2: The photovoltaic (PV) effect is the generation of voltage and electric current in a material upon exposure to light.
True
False
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Answer: True
True, the photovoltaic (PV) effect is the generation of voltage and electric current in a material upon exposure to light.
Question #3: What other names do solar panels have? (Select all that apply)
Solar Electric Panel
Photovoltaic (PV) module
Solar Panel
None of the above
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Answer: Solar Electric Panel, Photovoltaic (PV) module and Solar Panel
A solar cell panel is also called a solar electric panel, photovoltaic (PV) module, or solar panel.
Question #4: When the circuit is open, what is the voltage generated by a silicon cell with one junction?
0.5 - 0.6 V
1.5 - 2.5 V
2.5 - 3.0 V
3.5 - 4.5 V
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Answer: 0.5 - 0.6 V
When the circuit is open, a simple silicon solar cell with one junction can make up to 0.5 to 0.6 volts.