Solar Power Systems by Rayotec Solar

Manage the power of the sun

Light (photons) is converted into electricity (voltage) by the photovoltaic (PV) effect. Photovoltaic solar power cells are commonly used to generate electricity in devices ranging from calculators to security systems and alarms as well as, road signs and battery chargers.

Photovoltaic solar power cells use semi-conducting materials, which are also found in computer chips to absorb the energy from the sun and release electrons after achieving a higher energy state.

PV solar power cells

Solar photovoltaic systems usually comprise four components.

The solar power array is an assembly of solar power cells, which by the photo voltaic effect create direct current (DC) electricity.
The roof mounting is an aluminium or stainless steel construction that fixes and supports the solar power array onto the roof. There are two types of roof mounting; roof integrated mountings allow the solar power assembly to replace the roofing and thereby become a permanent fixture of the roof, or on-top mounted assembly which has the solar power assembly covering but not replacing the existing roofing.
The solar power inverter converts the DC electricity into Alternating Current (AC) electricity, which can be used in the home or sold back to the national electricity grid.
The solar power collector is the link from the solar power panels to the fuse box and electric meter, which monitors how much energy is produced and how much energy is sold back to the national grid.

Solar power cells

An individual solar power unit is described as a solar power "cell" because the electricity it produces DC electricity the same as a battery. A group of solar power or PV cells collectively create a module and when modules are grouped they become an array.

solar power panels

Energy storage

Modern solar power systems are usually designed and set up to sell any unused electricity back to the national grid. Selling surplus energy to the national grid avoids the use of batteries, which are a costly and inefficient means of storing electricity. Batteries also have a relatively short life-span and are comprised of components that are potentially environmentally damaging. However, if there is no connection to the national grid it may be necessary to use batteries to store surplus electricity.

Storage of energy