Solar Energy

Solar forecast graph show the expected production in the coming days based on relaible data and calculations. The probability is 90/10 for the accuracy shown as the shaded region in the graph.

When we connect the power output of solar panels with the main supply in such a way that the extra power reverse-back to the main grid. This is only possible with a reversable meter also known as green meter.

An on-grid system solar system always work to its maximum capacity and first provide the output to the site (where installed) and if there is any extra, will be provided to national grid.

The major or may be the only drawback of On-Grid system is that it will be powered off when there will be no main supply or 3-phases.

Off-grid solar system do not have capacity to feed extra power to the main grid. It always designed to meet the local energy requirements. This system only provide according to the local demand. Exessive energy wasted due to which, this system has slow ROI (return on investment).

Hybrid solar system is a composite of On-Grid and Off-Grid solar system. It does not off when the main supply turned off while it can be used like either On-Grid or Off-Grid.

Hybrid system has different type of inverters than on-grid. Their prices are normally higher than the inverters for On-Grid systems.

In technical labguage, N for negative or electrons while P for positive (holes or absense of electron). If the main charge carrier in solar cell is electron then it will be considered as N-Type panels while P-Type panel will have holes as the main carrier of charge to transfer from one end to the other.

N-Type panels are considered better than P-Type which is true as N-Type has low annual degradation and has a better temperature tolerance. N-Type work better in low light and so has longer working period everyday compared to standard P-Type panel.

Any flat 2D (two-dimension) surface can have two sides, front side and a back of it.

PV panels that contain solar cells only on one side are called mono-facial panels while Bi-facial panels have cells on both sides.

Since the back side always (convensionally) remain in shadow, it produces a much lower power than the front side which is why a Bi-facial cannot be considered as the best option. Bi-facial panels are also not suitable if installed on a non-reflective surface like on grass or dull surfaces.

Furthermore, a bi-facial having glass on both sides make it heavier in wight more vulnerable to get demaged.

Managing the drawbacks can give you an extra source of power which ultimatly increase the speed of (ROI).

Photovoltic or solar panels give power output in DC (direct current) whereas most of our appliances at home or industries are work on AC (alternating current).

So a separate device called inverter required to convert DC into AC.

Angular directions of a solar panel is very important to yield maximum out of it.

Two type of angles are important in this regard.

Azimuth: On ground surface, it is angle between north and the Sun.

Tilt: Angle between the ground surface and the solar panel. If a solar panel in laying flat on ground surface then it means it has 0 degree of tilt and face directly upwards.

Different locations have different ideal values of azimuth and tilt and they both must be considered especially when the solar system is fixed.

Cleaning your solar panels are very important and has direct impact on the output. Dirt, salt stains from previous wash and birds poo on panels make it dirty.

Since the plates are made for a very long period (i.e. 25 to 35 years) you should avoid regular rubbing even with micro-fibre cloth. An ordinary pressure washer (normally used for cas wash) do the best job when frequent cleaning required.

A simple spray gun at the top of water pipe can also work and will help remove most of the dirt and birds poo.

A gentle rub with soft, clean microfibre might be required once in a month or two depending on the site location and dirt impact.

Special chemicals to wash panels should be avoided as they can decrease the surface shine. A dull/blur surface will decrease the reflectance which will ultimately decrease efficiency.

Saving water for our earth should also be considered while cleaning.

It is suggested not to clean your solar panels when they are very hot.

In a hot day during sunshine, the surface temperature of panels can rise 50 to 70 degree celcius, much more than ambient temperature.

At this very high temperature, cleaning panels with water (obviously) can decrease surface temperature very fast. This rapid decrease can cause “thermal shock” to the panels and the glass can be demage.