Solar Electric Photovoltaics

Heat and light from the sun is one of the most reliable events in our daily lives. Civilization has relied on the ""power"" of the sun for millenia. One method to reduce our reliance on non-renewable energy sources is to convert sunlight into electricity with solar panels.
Keyword(s)

solar
Introduction

Solar photovoltaic panels were originally developed for spacecraft. Arrays of photovoltaic cells arranged into panels (or windows, roofing tiles, wall panels) convert solar light rays into electricity. Thin-film technology and economies of scale are reducing the relatively high cost of manufacturing solar arrays.

Typically, commercial photovoltaic panels convert 10-25% (efficiency) of the light that reaches the panel. Electricity generated by photovoltaic panels is direct current (DC)electricity although panels are available with inverters built into the system that provice alternating current (AC).

Photovoltaic systems can be optimized by orienting the panels to an optimum angle perpendicular to the sun. This optimum angle can be determined by knowing your latitude.

Optimum Panel Angle Calculation: (Note this is for northern hemisphere, reverse sign for southern hemisphere)

Summer Solstice (June 21) Angle (Latitude - 23 degrees) = Angle from horizontal

Winter Solstice (December 21) Angle (Latitude + 23 degrees) = Angle from horizontal

For example:

In Rockhampton, Australia the optimum December 21st panel angle would be perfectly parallel to the ground (latitude = -23 degrees + 23 degrees = 0) or 0 degrees.

Further efficiency is possible by mounting the panels on a tracking system. In this way, the panel is in the optimum perpendicular position for the majority of daylight hours. Of course, a clear view path is necessary for the optimum energy gains to be achieved.