By: An Editorial by
Aniefiok Usoro, Solar Technology Engineer
Renewable energy is the
top-burner during most discussions regarding energy for the future. Solar power
is usually the primary option when renewable energy is considered. There are
many reasons for this, some of which are listed below:
- The sun will always shine.
- Solar power is scalable.
- Solar power is cost effective.
- Solar systems usually require low maintenance.
This article seeks to
provide a basic understanding of how the different components of the solar
system work. The aim is to demystify solar systems, making it easy for
everyone, no matter your background, to know what happens within a solar
system.
There is an adage that
say, “What man does not understand, he fears; and what he fears, he tends to
destroy.” I hope that this article provides the understanding that takes away
fear.
To make this as
practical and simplified as possible, we will be using a family unit as an
analogy for the solar system. The Solar System Family
The solar system family
has basically four (4) members. They are:
- The Solar panels (Master Solar Panels)
- The charge controller (Miss Charge controller)
- The battery/storage (Mrs. Battery)
- The Inverter (Mr. Inverter)
The Solar panels (Master
Solar Panels)
Most people recognize
the solar panel component of the solar system as it is the most visible. The
solar panels are responsible for transforming light energy to electrical
energy. This is done through what is known as the photoelectric effect. This
simply means that when certain materials (e.g., silicon) are exposed to light,
they will react to the exposure by producing electricity.
With solar power
systems, the solar panels are where the magic begins, and light is exchanged
for electricity. The challenge is that the electricity produced by the solar
panels is in a raw state and some refining must be done before it is suitable
for ‘consumption’. This is where the next component, the Charge Controller,
comes into play.
The charge controller
(Miss Charge controller)
Following on from the
‘family’ analogy, we can consider the Charge Controller as a protector or maybe
a doctor. The Charge Controller receives the electrical power from the solar
panel and gives it a treatment that ensures the electrical power is right for
the battery. This is more like what happens when water is filtered to ensure it
is healthy for human consumption.
Apart from treating the
power from the solar panels, the Charge Controller ensures that the battery
stops receiving power when it gets fully charged. This ensures the health of
the battery is maintained at optimum capacity. Simply put, the Charge Controller
ensures that the battery is healthy by making sure it is working within safe
limits.
The battery/storage (Mrs. Battery)
Given that sunlight is
present for a limited number of hours in a day, there must be a way to store
energy produced during the sunlight hours for use when there is no sunlight or
little sunlight. This is where the battery takes the lead. The battery is a
storage system that can be likened to a water tank. You store the excess power
generated in a battery and use this power when you have little or no power from
other sources (i.e., solar panels, power grids or standby generators). The
battery can also receive power from other sources like the generator and
electric power grid. This power is processed by the inverter before being
directed to the battery. The battery is usually what requires the most
attention and is, most of the time, the most expensive component. A wide range
of technologies have been deployed to ensure the battery is safer for use, the
battery’s lifespan is improved, and the battery’s weight is reduced, amongst
many other considerations. Storage holds the key to reliable power supply from
solar power systems.
The Inverter (Mr.
Inverter)
All the earlier
mentioned components deal with one form of electric power, and this is Direct
Current (DC) power. However, most of what is powered makes use of another form
of power known as Alternating Current (AC) power. This therefore means that the
power from the solar panels to the charge controller to the battery is all
Direct Current, but the power required by must equipment or appliances is
Alternating Current. To make this change from Direct Current to Alternating
Current, we have to introduce the Inverter. The name ‘inverter’ means to
“invert” from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating current (AC). As simple as the
inverter’s job may seem, a lot is involved in the process of inverting from
Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). The inverter is one component
that has advanced reasonably with efficiencies getting to as high as 99%. The
charge controller is sometime housed in the same unit as the inverter. This
means that both units will become one and is this consolidated device is called
a “hybrid inverter”.
In Summary
1.
Power comes from the solar panels. This is light energy
converted to electrical energy by means of the photoelectric effect.
- Raw power from the solar panels comes to the
charge controller for treatment. This treatment ensures the power is right
for the battery.
- The Battery receives power from the charge
controller (for solar power) or inverter (for grid or generator power) and
stores the power to be used when there is little or no power available
from other sources (like solar panels, electric power grid or standby
generator).
- The inverter changes (inverts) the Direct Current
(DC) power from the solar panel and battery to Alternating Current (AC)
power used by most appliances to be powered.
Memory Assistant
To help with memory
let’s go back to the family set up.
- You may want to consider Master solar panel as the
son who is out there searching for the resources (in this case sunlight)
to produce what is required for the family (Direct current power)
- You may consider Miss charge controller as the
daughter who takes what Master Solar panel has been able to produce and
prepares something thing healthy for Mrs. Battery her mother.
- Furthermore, you may consider Mrs. Battery to be a
resourceful mother who keeps all that is produced safe for a rainy day.
- Finally, you may consider Mr. Inverter as the man
who takes what is produced and what is stored and uses it wisely in
meeting the demands of the external factors and that is powering of
equipment and appliances.
