Solar and Photovoltaic Power Supplies Key Terms

Soak up some power when you know solar and photovoltaic power supplies key terms

America has either included or based their active alternative energy search on solar energy since the first oil crisis in the early 1970s, positing scenarios that run from a windmill on every house to solar panel fields the size of New Mexico in orbit around the Earth. If knowledge is indeed power, arm yourself with a more thorough grounding on some key terms used by solar and photovoltaic power supply manufacturers to get a clearer sense of what you can realistically expect to exploit in the near term, what you can look for on the far horizon, and what simply may not be attainable.

Photovoltaic (PV)

Tear apart the word photovoltaic to get a working definition: photo, or light, converted to volts, or electricity. People most commonly have this solar electric process in mind when referring to a solar panel.

Solar panel

A solar panel is a bit more complex than it appears. As noted above, companies can configure panels that convert light directly into electricity. However, producers also make panels that harness heat to use for hot water systems. However, these hot water systems need electricity to run pumps that circulate the fluid for heating, which might lead you right back to a photovoltaic system for long-term energy reduction.

Solar thermal

As the term implies, solar thermal puts infrared energy to work. The system could be as simple as a water heater, or as complex as a secondary system top photovoltaics by absorbing the sun's warmth and slowly releasing it through heat exchangers that power an electric generator when the sun goes down.

Deep cycle battery

If you don't connect to an electric grid, you'll need a way to regulate the fluctuations that occur when relying on solar energy systems, to store excess energy in peak production periods and siphon off that excess when production is off. Deep cycle batteries provide this back-up.

Charge controller

If you use deep cycle batteries, you'll want a charge controller between the battery bank and the panels, to manage the energy flow so you're losing as little energy as possible. A charge controller can be used directly or diverted to the battery bank.

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

If you live in an urban setting, northern climates, or run a business that consumes more electricity than you can generate by installing your own panel system, look for a power supplier that will sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Essentially it's a type of lease agreement where they own and maintain the solar power generating system and you purchase the electricity. You can build in price controls that work to your advantage, rather than feeling victimized by the rate increases of your local power monopoly.

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