How does a solar panel generate electricity?

TECHNOLOGY BEHIND SOLAR ELECTRICITY

The ability of solar panels based on silicon cell technology to produce electricity is based on the photoelectric phenomenon: the silicon cell of the solar panel has N-type and P-type semiconductor layers on top of each other. The sun's radiation causes the transfer of electrons from the N-semiconductor to the P-semiconductor, resulting in a positive charge on the N-semiconductor and a negative charge on the P-semiconductor.

Electrons can only move in one direction between the layers, but they can be led from the P layer back to the N layer along the external current circuit. Thus, a direct current circuit can be formed. Solar panels consist of tens of such cells, the number and type of which determine the electrical properties of the panel.

What solar panels does Solarigo use?

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How is the electrical energy of the solar panels equalized so that it is usable?

TECHNOLOGY BEHIND SOLAR ELECTRICITY

The maximum instantaneous power output of solar panels varies greatly depending on the amount of light radiation directed at the panels. Consequently, the electrical energy obtained from them is not usable as such, but must be equalized with the help of power electronics. In the case of systems fed into the grid, the panels' direct electricity must also be converted to alternating electricity. These actions are done with the help of a solar inverter.

First, the MPPT controller (Maximum PowerPoint Tracker) adjusts the voltage from the panels to a certain level and the current to the optimal level according to the current power output of the panels. Modern inverters have several controls and typically only 2 panel chains are connected to one controller, in which case the different lighting conditions of the panel chains must be taken into account and the maximum power can be extracted from each chain.

Next in line is the inverter itself, which chops DC electricity into AC electricity. An inverter intended to be connected to the grid gets its pace from the low-voltage grid, i.e. it is not capable of producing alternating current when it is not connected to the grid. Inverters are available in many capacities. The smallest are the microinverters, to which 1 or 2 individual panels can be connected.

Chain inverters, on the other hand, can be connected to one to two to ten solar panel chains, each of which can consist of two to ten panels, in which case the total power varies from a few kilowatts to a couple of hundred kilowatts. The largest are industrial-scale "central inverters" of several megawatts, which are fed from collection centers, to which several chains of panels are connected in parallel.

How is solar energy storage and self-sufficiency implemented?

TECHNOLOGY BEHIND SOLAR ELECTRICITY

A solar power plant, like wind power, is a decentralized electrical energy production unit that is highly dependent on the weather. Since production follows the weather and not consumption, energy storage is a means by which the profitability of solar power can be increased. However, the cost-effectiveness of solar energy storage is affected by many factors. As a general rule, sizing correctly according to consumption is the fastest, easiest and most effortless way to start using solar energy, and then you get the best output from the system.

However, solar energy storage is possible and can be used to increase self-sufficiency and the utilization rate of the solar power plant. By using the acquired storage capacity, in addition to solar electricity storage, to improve the property's electricity quality, in the power regulation market (FCR-N) and as a momentary backup current for individual functions, the utilization rate of the energy storage can be increased and the value added. If you are interested in the benefits of energy storage, contact our sales.

The regulated electricity market and improving the quality of electricity are examples of Solarigo's latest products offered to its customers. Solarigo follows the development of energy storage solutions and offers its customers a wide variety of storage solutions from both lithium-ion technology and non-chemical storage solutions.

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