UNDERSTANDING SOLAR POWER.

By Flavious Coffee
As the power problems persist to affect business, domestic and social routines, there is need to explore alternatives that are reliable. Solar energy quickly comes to mind. This is the energy from the sun. When used to supply electricity, it is called solar power. However there are many questions about solar power. How does it work? Is it reliable? What is required? This article seeks to answer some of these questions and simplify the concept of solar power.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A SOLAR SYSTEM.

1. Solar panels: These are devices use the sunlight to generate electricity. However we

do not normally use this electricity directly but we use it to charge batteries. They are also known as photovoltaic modules or solar modules. An installation can contain several panels called an array of panels.
2. Battery Bank: A solar system can have one or more batteries; this is known as the

battery bank. This is essential for storing energy from the panels. You will need this energy at night or on cloudy days. Deep cycle batteries should be used as these are designed for specialized charging and discharging.
3. Charge controller: A charge controllers primary function is to protect your battery bank from overcharging. It monitors the battery, when the bank is fully charged, the controller cuts out the flow of electricity from the solar panels. To maximize the life span of your batteries, youll definitely want to avoid overcharging or undercharging them. Most modern charge controllers incorporate maximum power point tracking (MPPT), which sort of increases the energy produced by solar panels. 4. Power inverter: This changes the direct current (DC) electricity produced by solar

panels and stored in battery bank into the alternating current (AC) electricity commonly used in most homes for powering lights, televisions, and other appliances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do I know what size of solar power system to install? A1. A professional technician should calculate for you the amount of energy you need. He will take into account the power consumed by your appliances and for how long you want them to operate per day. Q2. What is the typical cost of a solar power system?

A2. A really working system can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on the size of system chosen, which is mainly based on the energy consumption required. Q3. How long will solar panels last for? A3. Good solar panels come with a 25 year warranty. This means they can last for even longer.

Q4. Can I extend my current Solar power system? A4. It is possible. When doing so, it is recommended that panels and batteries should be of the same size and make. As for inverter you can replace with a bigger one. Q5. Are Batteries necessary? A5. Yes batteries are necessary. Panels, (unless they are really many of them) are usually just sufficient to charge batteries. Even if they are enough to supply power directly, they wont be working at night or on a cloudy day. The energy of a solar system is stored in the batteries. Q6. Can I use car batteries for my solar system? A6. Not really. Car batteries are not designed for deep and slow discharge. They are not able to discharge slowly and deeply over a long time. Car batteries will not be able to provide power for long (backup time) and they wont last for long as well (lifespan). Q7. Which direction should the panels face? A7. Solar panels should generally face north and be tilted at a 15 degrees angle. Q8. Is solar power suitable for business use? A.8 Yes solar systems are very ideal for businesses. This is because businesses always require, and it is important to keep costs efficient in order to run a successful business. Depending on your local area, commercial users are usually offered great financial program incentives. Q9. Is electricity generated by Solar Power systems reliable? A9. As long as the components are of a good quality and the installation done professionally, solar power systems are the most reliable of electric energy sources. Technology has advanced incredibly since the first time solar energy was used (in the 1950s), making it an extremely reliable source of energy. Q10. Is there any maintenance that is required on a solar system?

A10. Only the batteries may need maintenance, if they are not sealed maintenance free (SMF). Generally batteries need to be replaced after every four years, besides that no other maintenance or replacement is required.

Facts about Solar Energy

Solar Energy is measured in kilowatt-hour. 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts. 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) = the amount of electricity required to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours. A home solar system is typically made up of solar panels, an inverter, a battery, a charge controller, wiring and support structure. Relying on the battery backup, a solar energy system can provide electricity 24 x 7, even on cloudy days and at night. Solar panels come in various colours.

Solar Energy Advantages

1. MONEY SAVER

After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE. The recovery period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses. It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all. It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the everincreasing price of fuel. A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independently, not requiring a connection to a power line at all. It can therefore be installed in remote locations (like rural areas and holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of ZESA power to a new site.
2. ENVIRONMENT SAVER

Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, fuel and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment. It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generation does. It does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog. It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. It does not produce any noise.

Solar Energy Disadvantages

The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in making solar panels. The efficiency of the system also relies on the availability of the sunlight and the presence of clouds or pollution in the air. No solar energy will be produced during the night. However batteries will store the energy for use at night. Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency. Flavious Coffee who has worked in power generation, and distribution for more than 11 years can be contacted on 0733 676 676 or tech@folsub.co.zw or coffeeflavious@hotmail.com