Find Out How Solar Lighting Systems Work

By Tisha Greer


Installing solar lighting systems in homes, industries, institutions and commercial buildings is a good way to cut down on electricity costs significantly. These systems are very easy to install. The government and several non-governmental organizations have numerous incentives to help consumers procure and install these systems. Read on to learn more.

These types of systems are normally made up of a photo voltaic module, inverter, conductors, charge controller, switches, battery and energy efficient lamps. Inverters are used to change direct current from the battery into alternating current. In some cases, an inverter may not be required because there are lamps that can operate on direct current. The charge controller ensures that the battery pack is not overcharged or undercharged.

Energy efficient light bulbs are normally used in this type of system. However, LEDs have also become very popular. These lamps can produce very bright light without drawing too much power from the battery pack.

Several batteries may be needed to store electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic modules during the day. The capacity of batteries to store energy is normally rated in Ampere-hours. For instance, a battery with a rating of 120Ah can power a 12 Ampere load for approximately 10 hours. The power output of the photovoltaic module installed in a building is normally considered before a suitable battery is chosen.

In order to conserve the energy stored in the batteries, thick wires are normally used to do the wiring. Power losses are directly proportional to resistance. Thin wires have higher electrical resistance than thick wires. This means that less power is lost when thick wires are used. Electrical technicians or energy experts should be hired to determine the most suitable type of conductor, battery, inverter, charge controller and solar panel to use in the system.

Photovoltaic modules produce electricity when sunlight is incident on their surfaces. A simple module consist of numerous cells, which are basically diodes that produce an electric potential difference in the presence of light. The more the cells in a panel, the higher the power generation capacity.

Manufacturing technology has improved considerably over the last decade. Manufacturers can now afford to lower prices due to reduced cost of production. The economies of scale have also made it possible for manufacturers to offer great discounts without making a loss because they sell many units. Manufacturers area also getting incentives from the government among other organizations.

Some establishments and homes have separate wiring for solar lighting systems and mains while others use the same wiring with either an automatic or manual changeover mechanism. Both of these options have their own benefits. For instance, using the same wiring reduces installation costs but power losses may be higher because of the thin wires. On the other hand, wiring the solar-based system separately will lead to higher installation costs. With professional advice, you will be able to make the right decision.




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