Energy Black Book

The most important part of any solar power system is the solar panel, the part that actually handles the conversion of sunlight to electricity. Solar panels are an incredible invention that give average homeowners the ability to produce their own power, slashing their electricity bills and decreasing their impact on the environment.

Solar panels can be made by wiring together solar cells, which are then housed within a weatherproof case. These solar cells create a small amount of electrical current when they are struck by sunlight. The electrical current produced by one solar cell isn’t that significant, but when enough of them are working in concert, the output can be tremendous. Solar panels are normally equipped with more cells than they actually need, so that even if a small number of cells malfunction, the panel as a whole can go on generating power without any disruption.

The latest generation of solar cells offer greater reliability and production than previous units. With modern solar cells, you get the same or greater production even with less exposure to sunlight. All solar cells have a specific threshold at which the quantity of sunlight with which they’ve come in contact results in electricity production. Modern cells require less sunlight to generate power than older models did.

Now, it’s possible to produce enough power for everyday purposes with fewer solar panels than was previously possible. Fewer panels means less use of roof space and a lower installation cost. All this explains why a growing number of people are taking advantage of what solar power has to offer.

Many new solar panels have the extra feature of built-in micro-inverters. In the past, most solar power systems would rely on one large inverter, usually placed near the home’s electrical panel. Direct Current (DC) electricity produced by the solar panels would be sent to this single inverter, which then converted it to Alternating Current (AC) electricity, the type which is used in the home.

The long wires that ran from the solar panels to the inverter were usually unable to prevent some loss of the power generated. The micro-inverters solve this problem.

In a sense, modern solar panels with micro-inverters act as their own power plants. They eliminate the need for a large inverter and make the process of wiring much easier than had been previously. Users can simply add panels as needed, building up a solar power system at their own pace. For further information about micro inverters, go to Solar Micro Inverter.

For anyone who is thinking about taking advantage of the benefits of solar power, these advanced solar power panels are well worth looking into. These panels provide affordable, long-lasting power, and have countless advantages over conventional sources of energy. If you are interested in building your own solar panel, check out this guide Build Your Own Solar Panel.

For another guide to building your own solar panel, go to Green DIY Energy.