| The first thing you might ask - what is solar | | | | connected makes a big difference. Connect Solar |
| radiation and how does it related to solar | | | | Panels in Series |
| generated electricity? That is a good question and | | | | When you connect residential solar energy |
| a topic discussed in our next article in our series | | | | systems in series, you connect the positive (+) |
| dedicated to home solar power. This article, on | | | | pole on one component to the negative (-) pole |
| the other hand, explains how kilowatts are | | | | on the next. When modules are connected in |
| calculated based upon the energy output of your | | | | series, the voltages are added. Adding voltage |
| solar array. We will also highlight the difference | | | | together in this fashion creates a long chain of |
| between solar cells connected in parallel versus in | | | | solar modules all working together, depending |
| series. | | | | upon each other, and creating a flow of current |
| The average American home uses about 25 kWh | | | | that increases along the length of the system. |
| of electricity per day. The following example | | | | These modules in series are called Strings. The |
| illustrates how to calculate the power produced by | | | | average string is 8-12 modules so the voltage |
| a residential solar energy system. Looking over a | | | | would be 320 - 480. Unfortunately, we encounter |
| solar radiation grid, we can determine that a | | | | some negative aspects of of this type of |
| residence gets five daylight hours of solar | | | | construction. |
| radiation in one day which is then averaged out | | | | Connecting Solar Panels in Parallel |
| over the entire year. | | | | When you connect solar panels or components in |
| Solar radiation maps are highlighted on may | | | | parallel, you connect the panels so current can |
| websites throughout the Internet. You can do a | | | | travel to your inverter and to your house via |
| quick search for "solar radiation" to find one. In | | | | multiple paths. Unlike adding solar modules in series |
| any area across the entire United States, they | | | | which increases the volume of current as it goes, |
| detail out the amount of sunshine hitting a given | | | | the solar panels connected in parallel has the |
| location based upon the time of year and its | | | | effective of leaving the current or volume of |
| address. | | | | electricity passing through the system the same. |
| Calculating the power from a solar energy | | | | Solar panels or strings of solar arrays tied |
| system | | | | together in parallel are called parallel systems. |
| Divide the average kWh per day by the average | | | | Their amps are combined together but the total |
| sun hours per day. For this example, we take 25 | | | | voltage remains the same. Adding amps is like |
| kWh divided by 5 hours of sun per day = 5 kW | | | | increasing the volume, the pressure stays the |
| system This 5 kW system will generate 25 kWhs | | | | same but the volume goes up. Inverters can only |
| under optimal conditions in direct sunlight for 5 | | | | handle so much volume so you will seldom see |
| hours, or 25 kWh on an average day with some | | | | more than 1 to 3 strings in parallel; positive ends |
| at peak production and most of the sunlight at | | | | to positive ends with negative ends to negative |
| less than optimal angles. | | | | ends. |
| Future articles related to solar energy will continue | | | | One of the advantages of parallel connection is |
| to explain the effects of sun angle, reflection, and | | | | that electricity continues to flow, even though one |
| refraction on the design, output, and installation of | | | | of the components (or strings) is damaged. If a |
| solar panels. | | | | system is entirely in series, one damaged |
| Energy as it Pertains to Solar Modules | | | | component stops the entire system. You may |
| Individual solar modules that are measured in | | | | remember the ever-frustrating Christmas lights |
| watts have a particular voltage (around 40 volts) | | | | that were connected in series. Often difficult to |
| and a particular amperage (around 5 amps). A | | | | trouble shoot, strings of lights connected in series |
| solar module with 40 volts and 5 amps is called a | | | | are hard to fix when one bulb blew out. Now, the |
| 200-watt module, which means that it has the | | | | modern Christmas lights are connected in parallel. |
| potential to produce 200 watts of electricity when | | | | You are able to determine this easily. There are |
| in direct sunlight, away from trees or shading, and | | | | usually two different wires coming in and out of |
| clear of snow or debris. Since most electrical | | | | each bulb. You can feel this via their less |
| components around your house are only rated for | | | | frustrating maintenance and operation. |
| 600 volts DC, it is rare to see a solar array with | | | | Options for Residential Solar Energy Systems |
| a string larger the 15 solar modules. On the other | | | | In this article, we explained in some detail how |
| hand, since inverters need a minimum voltage or | | | | solar modules calculate the power they produce |
| pressure to turn them on, you will seldom have a | | | | as well as how connecting solar arrays in series or |
| solar array with a string solar modules with a size | | | | parallel can have an large impact on energy output |
| smaller then 6. | | | | as well as complexity of design. Our next article |
| Electrical components, like solar cells, panel | | | | will cover how sun angle affects solar energy |
| modules or batteries, can be connected in either | | | | systems and how to quantify the solar power |
| series or parallel. This makes a big difference in | | | | produced from the sun. |
| the total quantities of energy produced from the | | | | New solar energy system rentals allow you to |
| solar energy system, as well as the stability of | | | | upgrade your home to solar generated electricity |
| the technology over time. Each solar module or | | | | with no large system to purchase. You can rent |
| component has a positive and a negative pole. In | | | | the solar energy equipment needed to generate |
| essence, this is the same way batteries have | | | | up to 100 percent of your electricity needs. |
| their negative and positive poles arranged. Take a | | | | Exciting aspects related to clean, green solar |
| look at how you but batteries in a flashlight. Same | | | | energy are emerging all around us. |
| idea here. The manner in which these poles are | | | | |