Solar Energy Fundamentals

SOLAR ENERGY FUNDAMENTALS 

Electricity generation is one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission as electricity is mainly made by the burning of fossil fuels. Other sources of GHG are transportation vehicles, commercial enterprises, and heavy industry. Fossil fuels, the main fuel source for these activities, when burned emit carbon dioxide gas that poses a significant threat on the earth’s climate. These gases act as a reflective layer that doesn’t allow the reflected UV rays from the earth to leave the atmosphere thus raising the temperature of the planet.  

Solar Energy is the chosen method of replacing fossil fuels for the creation of electricity. Solar Energy is harvesting the natural energy from the sun and using that to create electricity that can be used for daily activity. This method uses the natural phenomenon of photovoltaic activity, where direct sunlight causes an electric current to occur in some materials. The complete system to harvest solar energy is called a solar array and its components are described individually. 

A solar array consists of numerous components:  

• Solar Panel 

The Solar Panel is arguably the most important component of the solar array system. These panels convert the natural sun light into electricity. It does this through the material that these panels are made of. Each panel is covered in small cells made up of Silicon, phosphorus and boron. Phosphorus has a negative charge while boron has a positive one pairing this now with the sun’s light results in a flow of electrons from the phosphorus ion to the boron ion. Solar panels are then linked together to increase the current flow that is created. 

• Batteries 

Batteries are next on the list. As we all know batteries provide us with power for our daily gadgets such as remote controls and cell phones. However, the batteries in solar energy harvesting are much larger 12V batteries such as the ones used to start your vehicles. These batteries are used in correlation with the solar panels to store the power being emitted from the panels as stated above. The stored power can then be used to power any of the appliances you may need particularly when there is no sunshine e.g. at night.  

• Controller 

A charge controller is the safety part of the system. It controls/regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels to keep the batteries from overcharging.  

• Inverter 

Lastly, the solar inverter plays numerous roles within the solar array system. Its main role however is to convert the Direct Current (DC) from the solar panel and the battery to the usable Alternating Current (AC) that exists in a normal electrical socket to power your home appliances. In this manner, power generated with the solar panel can be used in household and commercial applications. 

Setting up Solar Array 

A solar array’s efficiency depends on how much direct sunlight it receives. In Trinidad, we live in a Tropical Climate where we have an abundance of sunlight. However, despite this on average a solar panel in our region gets a maximum of roughly 5 hours of peak sunlight. You can maximize this efficiency by altering the orientation and tilting of the panels. Having a solar panel incorrectly oriented can result in efficiency losses from 1.1% to 5%. Knowing the right azimuth (how high the sun is in the sky) for the solar panel will help it to achieve maximum efficiency. 

Calculations to achieve the right angle to orient your solar panels are shown below:  

Due to Trinidad being a tropical island and being located so close to the equator we do not experience winter. This means that the difference in our sun angle does not change by much. Therefore, using the whole year tilt calculation will provide the best angle for the solar panels to achieve the highest efficiency without having to change the tilt of the panel as the season changes. 

By connecting solar panels in series or in parallel you can alter other aspects of the system such as the total voltage or current.  

•  Series: Solar panels that are wired in series must connect the positive terminal of one panel to the negative terminal of the other. When solar panels are connected in series their individual voltages add together however the amperage remains the same throughout.  

• Parallel: Solar panels that are wired in parallel must connect the positive terminal of one panel to the positive terminal of another panel as the same with the negative terminals. When solar panels are connected in parallel their individual amperages add together however the voltage remains the same throughout.

Solar Energy plays a significant role in the movement to carbon neutrality and thereby combatting climate change and global warming. We at Kenson acknowledge this and as part of our Carbon Net Zero capability portfolio, we have mapped out an implementation plan for the average homeowner to use if they decide to move to solar energy. 

The following is a step-by-step process: 

Step 1: Place Solar Panels in sun angled at ideal angle.  

Run wires to cable separating the positive and the negative side.  

Step 2: Run line from Solar Panels to Controller.  

Positive cable to positive on controller, negative cable to negative on controller.  

Step 3: Connect output wire from controller to battery. Red to red, Black to black.  

Step 4: Connect batteries together. Red to red, Black to black.  

Step 5: Connect inverter to battery to convert DC to AC. Red to red, Black to black.  

By implementing a solar system, you provide a vital contribution to the environment as any small amount of CO2 emission avoided is one step closer to achieving carbon neutrality and thus a healthier planet.  

Good luck and please contact us if you need further assistance kcnzcp@kenson.co.tt