Solar energy Systems is the radiant light and heat from the sun that can be harnessed to provide us with useful electricity. The most common and familiar technology for converting sunlight into energy is photovoltaics (PV).

PV arrays typically involve solar panels, a collection of dozens or hundreds of silicon cells, each containing a semiconductor that absorbs and directs sunlight.

Grid Tied

Grid tied solar energy systems are currently the most common type of solar system installed in American homes. These systems are connected to the electricity grid and operate without battery backup equipment, making them a cost-effective and reliable solution for many homeowners.

These systems produce DC (direct current) electricity from solar panels, which is then converted into AC (alternating current) in a grid-tie inverter that regulates the voltage and current received from the panels. The inverter also synchronizes the phase and frequency of the AC to fit the utility grid which is nominally 60Hz.

This means that any excess electricity produced by the panels can be used within the building or exported to the grid in the case of a shortfall. This is known as net metering.

Another great benefit of grid-tie solar systems is that they can be sized according to an individual home’s energy needs. It’s helpful to have some data on your aggregate energy use, such as energy bills from the utility company, to help determine the right size of your system.

Off Grid

Off grid solar energy systems provide power to homes, cabins, and other remote locations without connecting to the utility grid. These systems generate solar energy and store it in batteries to supply electricity during periods when the sun isn’t shining.

These solar systems are generally more expensive than their grid-tied counterparts, but they’re worth it for people who need to live off the grid or who want to go solar to help reduce their carbon footprint and limit global warming. For many, they can also benefit from net metering, which allows them to send excess energy to the grid and draw from it when they need to run appliances and devices without incurring charges on their utility bills.

Whether you’re looking to convert your home to off grid solar or simply want to start generating your own energy, it’s important to determine the size of the system you need before shopping for equipment. The size of your system will affect the kind of equipment you’ll need, the amount of work the installation will involve, and the overall cost of the project.

Hybrid

Whether you’re living in a rural area or in the city, solar energy systems are an excellent way to save money on electricity bills. They’re also an efficient way to cut down on your environmental impact.

Hybrid solar energy systems allow homeowners to store excess power generated by their solar panels for later use. This allows them to draw from the grid only when prices are below market average at off-peak times.

It’s also a great option for people who don’t have access to net metering, which is a program that allows PV owners to send the extra electricity generated by their system to the electric grid for a bill credit.

Hybrid solar systems also provide a backup battery to keep your home powered during blackouts and inclement weather. This gives you a peace of mind that you’ll always have power when you need it.

Concentrated

Concentrated solar energy systems capture the sun’s heat and convert it to thermal energy. This energy can then be used to create steam and drive a turbine that generates electricity.

CSP plants can be paired with storage technologies to produce electricity during periods when there is low irradiance, such as when it’s dark or on a cloudy day. This makes them dispatchable, compared to other renewables, like photovoltaics.

The two most common types of CSP plants are parabolic trough and solar power towers. In the case of parabolic trough, long, rectangular U-shaped mirrors are used to focus sunlight on receiver tubes that run the length of the plant.

In the case of a solar power tower, large mirrored heliostats are used to concentrate the sun’s light and convert it into high temperatures. This heat can then be used to convert a fluid, such as oil or molten sodium, into steam and drive a turbine that generates electric power.