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January 20, 2020

Solar Power 101

Author: Lance Wiggers

The sun is the biggest source of energy. Solar power is the electricity or energy we generate from the sunlight. Through a process known as the photovoltaic, we can change energy from the sun’s rays into electricity that can power our appliances or even be stored in our solar power battery systems.
In order to generate solar electrciity for your home or office, you must install a solar power system.

Solar Power Perth

What are solar panels made of and how do they work?

Solar cells are made mainly from silicon, an element with conductive properties. Exposure to light changes silicon’s electrical characteristics, which generates current.
A cell is a square of silicon (about 15cm x 15cm) with electrical plates on the face of the cell. Solar panels are created by laying out a number of these cells on a protective back sheet and covering them with glass on the front.
Panels come in different cell configurations with the most popular being 60 cells or 72 cells.
It takes many solar panels mandurah to provide power to a typical house or office. A group of solar panels in your system is called a solar array. Panels wired into the same inverter are known as a string of panels. Some Inverters can accept multiple strings which means we can install panels facing 2 (or more) different directions.

What are the parts of a solar energy system?

To generate your own electricity, you need a complete solar power system. The most essential components are:

  • • Solar Panels to capture the suns energy
  • • An Inverter to convert that energy from DC to AC power (AC power we can use)
  • • Frames and racking which is how we mount the solar panels on the roof

Generally speaking, most installations can be wired straight into the grid. This way any excess electricity is exported back to the electricity retailer. Failing that you will need –

  • • Batteries to store the excess energy you generate

These are connected by other components like wiring, fuses, and breakers.
Monitoring equipment is almost always recommended so you can keep an eye on the systems health via online portals.

Is solar energy a sound investment?

In most cases, solar power happens to cost a lot less than what you pay the public retailer for electricity. Let’s take a look.
The utility company bills you for electricity. The Western Australian average is about 26 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity used. A kWh is a measurement of how much electricity you use and is also known as a unit. You can check your electricity bill to find out how much you use each day your household.
If you use 1,000 kWh / month billed at 26 cents / kWh, the power bill comes to $260 every month. That’s $3120 per year.
Now let’s look at how an iBreeze solar system can help. We’d recommend a 6.6kw system, currently listed around $4000 at the time of publication. It would cover 90% of the energy usage outlined above.
By using your own solar power, you get to save $2800 every year that you are paying to the retailer. After 1.42 years, you have already recouped the cost of the system. This is known as the “payback period”.
Solar Panels are warranted for 25 years. Over the life of the solar output warranty, the system pays back your investment 17 times!
It makes financial sense doesn’t it?

If you are looking for a new solar system or an upgrade on your old system please contact iBreeze today!

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