What's Your Solar Potential? - RoofRay. Solar Panels - Best Prices. Free Home Solar Consultation - SunRun. Solar Electric Panels & Array Combiners. We stock a wide range of solar panels, ranging from the small 1-watt trickle charge panels, up to the very large Kyocera 315 watt PV panels. Solar panels convert sunlight to electricity, and range in size from 1 watt to 300+ watts.
Most solar panels up to 140 watts are 12 volt. Many solar panels over 140 watts are 21 to 40 volts - designed mainly for grid tie applications. However, almost any solar panel can be used for battery charging with the proper type of solar charge controller. Higher voltage solar panels can be used on battery charging systems when using MPPT controllers such as the Outback Power, Midnite Solar, Xantrex, and the Morningstar MPPT solar charge controls. All solar panels are rated in Watts. Solar Electricity and how it works - Photovoltaic Systems and Components, Grid-Connected Solar Electric Systems, Off-Grid (Stand Alone) Solar Electric Systems, PV Modules, PV Inverters, PV Chargers, PV Battery, PV Mounting, Small Solar Electric Devices. Video source: U.S. Department of Energy Image above shows a residential Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System. 1. solar panels 2. inverter 3. breaker box 4. home power and appliances 5. meter 6. utility power grid. (1) Solar Electric or PV modules convert sunlight to electricity.
The PV modules generate DC electricity - or direct current - sending it to the inverter. (2) The inverter transforms the DC power into AC electricity for ordinary household needs. (3) Existing electrical panel distributes solar electricity and utility power to (4) loads (appliances). For systems with a battery backup (optional), the inverter also regulates the charge of batteries. The electricity stored in the batteries can be used at night or during blackouts. A valuable feature of photovoltaic systems is the ability to connect with the existing power grid which allows owners to sell excessive electricity back to the utility with a plan known as (5) Net Metering. » back to top Types of PV Systems Net Metering.
Solar cell efficiency tables (version 36) - Green - 2010 - Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications.