With high energy costs and the push for alternative sources of power, solar electricity is quickly gaining in popularity. You may be asking though, “how do solar panels work?” Making the leap to a more sustainable lifestyle, whether in your Recreational Vehicle (RV) or in your conventional housing, is much easier though once the dynamics of the system are understood.
In simple terms, solar panels work by collecting photons from the sun and converting them into DC (Direct Current) electrical power. The sun’s rays energize electrons in the panels strongly enough to get them active and moving around. From that point, power is then channeled through an inverter, which transforms it into a basic voltage and AC power. (AC, or Alternating Current, is more efficiently transferred along electrical wiring and is the standard in appliances, cars, RVs, houses, and industry-in-general).
Solar panels will work even in cloudy conditions since the sun continues to give off enough diffuse light to be absorbed, however they may not work at full capability. During winter months, the shorter days will also cause a reduction in electrical generation, and a snow-covered roof will stop production completely. Regardless of how often your panels draw the sun’s energy, you will need to immediately use it or divert it to a battery as the strip itself cannot store power.
how do solar panels work. image from solarpanelswattage.net
While solar is an excellent choice for alternative energy, it is not a simple plug-and-go technology. You may install the panels yourself, but if you are not completely comfortable with the process then it is best to hire a professional. As previously mentioned, wiring and batteries are essential. In some communities it is possible to feed your excess electricity back into your power company’s grid, and get paid for it instead of storing it in your own battery. This is important to know because battery technology has not kept pace with the progress in solar cell technology, and so you will create more electricity than you can store — in an RV that means that it is best to use your appliances during daylight hours for maximum return on your system. Of course, there will be plenty of energy on your battery at night for modest use, like using your lights and computer as they don’t use as much power — you might think twice about using a hair-drier or microwave though.
(On houses, most companies recommend installing solar panels when your roof is being built or re-shingled. This will reduce or eliminate the possibility of water leakage around the posts. It is also far easier to install them when you are able to locate the rafters quickly, which is nearly impossible on a covered roof.)
Overall, the benefits of solar energy outweigh the investment of money and time. Even though they take some effort to install, the yearly maintenance is almost non-existent. You will also be doing your part to eliminate pollutants and cut greenhouse gases, all while saving your wallet too.
