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Solar Panel Guide

Todae Solar >Solar Panel Guide

Solar Power GuideSolar Power is light or heat that comes from the sun. When this light or heat shines on solar panels, it generates solar electricity. Systems that turn sunlight into electricity are called Photovoltaic Systems.


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What are Photovoltaic Systems?

Photovoltaic systems are solar power systems that produce electricity directly from sunlight. The term 'photo' comes from the Greek 'phos', meaning light and "Voltaic" is named after Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity for whom the term 'volt' was named. Photovoltaic's then means, "light electricity" and refers specifically to the practice of converting the sun's energy directly into electricity using photovoltaic cells.

Photovoltaic cells are often referred to as PV cells or solar cells. All solar cells are cut from silicon and convert the suns energy into usable electricity. It is clean, pollution free and inexhaustible.


How do Solar Panels work?

Solar electricity is generated from Solar Panels, which is then fed into the Inverter which converts it to mains voltage (240v). During the day, if you are using any appliance such as a toaster, kettle or microwave, the solar electricity will power these. If no energy is being used whilst your solar system is generating electricity, the inverter feeds this unused energy into the Grid. Your energy provider will then pay you for any electricity that your system feeds back into the Grid and this is commonly called a Feed in Tariff.

With a Grid Connect System you do not require any batteries and with the Grid as a back-up, you will never run out of electricity. In addition to this, no changes need to be made within your house regarding power points or how you use electricity.



HowHow Solar Power Works

A Grid Connect System is made up of 3 major components; the Solar Panels, the Inverter and and the Mounting System. Todae uses a variety of combinations of components to ensure that each solar power system is specifically tailored to your household needs.

• Solar Panels
A solar panel is rated by Wattage output. Common solar panel sizes are 40, 80, 120, 160 and 175 Watts. Depending on what size system you require, determines the size of the panels that will be used. For example, for a 1KW Grid Connect system you would use six 175W panels. Todae stocks the highest quality panels including: Silex Solar, Sunpower, SunTech and Trina.

• Solar Power Inverter
An Inverter is a device that converts one potential of electricity to another. It works a lot like an amplifier; where a stereo amplifies the volume of the music, an inverter simply amplifies one voltage to another. In the process, the original voltage is changed from DC to AC.

• Solar Power Mounting Systems
Mounting Systems give you an opportunity to increase the pitching of your panels to optimise their potential. They are a necessity when mounting any solar panels, and Todae Solar uses the leading systems.


Stand Alone Solar Systems


For standalone systems, as they are not connected to the grid, the electricity generated by the solar modules is fed into the batteries for storage. As you use energy in your home via lights and appliances, the system will automatically supply energy from the batteries. The inverter and/or regulator will indicate how much energy you have left in your batteries. If your system has been designed to suit your energy needs, you should not run out of electricity. Standalone systems are often designed to include a generator for back-up in periods of high demand or extended periods of cloudy weather. They are highly efficient in applications such as caravans and motorhomes, outdoor lighting or water pumps, boats and remote housing.


Benefits of Solar Panels

• Generating your own electricity can reduce your electricity bill to up to 40%. Not only will you be saving electricity, but you will be saving money as well.

• The Federal Government's Solar Credit Scheme and Renewable Energy Certificates provides some great rebates, ensuring that your system is more affordable than ever.

• Produce clean electricity and reduce the impact of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. With a 1KW Installation you could effectively remove 1.65 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere (or a small car off the roads for over 8 months).

• Most solar modules have a warranty of more than 25 years and there are modules in operation, which were commissioned over 30 years ago. Solar panels can last up to 40 years!

• Helps to meet energy requirements for new homes (eg. NSW BASIX, 5 star rating systems)

• Additional solar panels can be added later, to increase the size of your system.

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