subject: Photovoltaic Inverters: An Introduction [print this page] Today"s older generation would probably remember the days of the solar powered calculator or the solar powered watch when they were in grade school. But today, the use of solar or photovoltaic energy grants the earth and its inhabitants with a cleaner and healthier future. A far cry from checking the time or calculating bills. More responsible home owners are becoming environmentally aware about the damages of fossil fuels and are turning to renewable energy options. Aside from wind or hydro-power, solar energy seems to be the most abundant and reliable as, well, the sun rises and sets every day. If one wishes to use this kind of system, it is best to get some photovoltaic training to get the fundamentals.
Solar energy is composed of a system with panels, wiring and circuitry. Solar cells are installed pick up and store energy. Once the solar energy has been harnessed by the solar cells, it is time for the Photovoltaic inverter to do its job. The inverter is the heart of the whole power system and the key piece in the providing of renewable energy to the home. Energy that is generated by the solar cells is known as Direct Current or DC, which is not too useful for powering most if any household appliances due to its low voltage. Interval training will enumerate the inform owners of what devices use DC but it is definite not strong enough for living needs.
For the DC to be compatible with the energy that comes into the home, it must be converted to the form appliances and the power grid setup expects, Alternating Current or AC. This kind of current is used in national power grids because it can travel in thinner wires and does not suffer too much loss or degradation through long distances. The circuitry of the inverter is quite sophisticated but generally works as a transformer by taking in the direct current and changes its form into true sine wave alternating power. Transistors that rapidly switch on and off make direct current act or behave similar to alternating current with the end result of successfully powering up all appliances.
Inverter training on properly monitoring the current can view it on an oscilloscope that shows a true sine wave representation on a Cartesian plane with the start of the wave beginning at zero, rising to a positive point and curving down pass zero to a negative point and arching back to zero as compared to direct current which is seen as a straight line. Photovoltaic systems are not simply a plug-and-use type of gadget. One has to understand the instruments as well as power itself. Further photovoltaic training can cover reading alternating current and understanding its five characteristics of AC power: Amplitude, Cycles, Frequency, Peak-to peak and RMS or Root Means Square. This can be valuable in owning a complete photovoltaic power system at home.
Having the proper inverter and solar training allows the inverters to be grid inter-tied by hooking up to the whole utility grid. With this type of connection and access, home owners can actually help their national power suppliers by either switching to solar power while electricity demand is great or by giving clean and excess power to them. This results in the miraculous "turning back the meter" as some location practice this as a credit system that works well for both the home owner and the power companies. One can literal see the meter move backwards.
Photovoltaic inverters are suited with safety features such a breakers that can be tripped manually for the protection of linemen and electricians from being electrocuted if repairs or routine check-ups need to be done. An "anti-islanding" feature is also built in for immediate disconnection from the power grid if levels get to high and hazardous for homes and halts any feeding of more power.
Having a solar power system for the household is very expensive and needs a lot of planning such as purchasing and installing of the solar panels, wiring, set-ups and hook-ups.
But the long term benefit speaks for itself once it becomes fully efficient and operational. However home owners must be aware that the Photovoltaic inverter is the most important component in the whole network. Without it, power with be there but it will be useless unless converted. Even though it is one of the most costly parts, skimping should be avoided as it would be the biggest mistake one can make for it is the whole heart of the operation. Just as the Sun is the center of the solar system, so is the Photovoltaic inverter in the homes.
