Solar energy comes under one of the most economical sources of energy due to the
grants available to subsidize the purchase of the hardware required.This has encouraged a number of companies to install solar panels. Nowadays there are a number of different types of solar panels available.Two main types of solar panels which are in use and cost-effective are:
Photo voltaic Solar Panels
With the help of mono-crystalline cells or poly-crystalline cells you can convert solar energy into electricity. The cells are basically put into the panels that are then connected to the power supply of the home and also to the national grid. Simply AC or DC converters can be used to connect this power supply. In any case of a power cut, the subsystem switches off to make it sure that there is no damage because of back feed to the solar panel circuits.With the help of this, you wont be able to have electricity during power cuts. But this issue can be solved by having an extra power backup or storage system to prevent power cuts whenever the solar panel is off grid.
Solar Thermal Systems
Solar thermal systems are used to aid the production of hot water used in homes. The water first passes through an array of pipes that are heated directly by the sun before transferring this heat in the hot water cylinder to the coming cold water. To make it sure that you get hot water even when there is no solar energy, you should use conventional boilers or immersion heaters in combination with this type of solar panels. These may act as backups.
Some facts about solar panels:
1. These solar Panels can be made by mounting solar cells on a backing plate. Some of the panels are rigid and can be roof mounted while others may be flexible and can be rolled up and put into any rucksack.
2. Solar Cells are mainly made from silica which is basically a form of sand.
3. Solar cells are small semiconductors which will produce a small voltage and electric current when light falls on them
4. Solar Panels becoming cheap now. With the pressure coming from climate change concerns lots of technological effort is going into producing them more cheaply.
5.Due to central government grant and local grants these solar panels are becoming more cheap and affordable.
6. Solar panels are continuesly gaining in efficiency in coming years. Wikipedia has published that the first solar cell was only 1% efficient and commercial cells aremainly 20% efficient. Up coming news news is that the new experimental cells in a laboratory setting are 45% efficient. These cells comes with a promise of smaller cheaper panels with even very cheaper electric power.