Electricity prices in Australia are currently at an all time high and rising, making it no surprise that over 1 million Australian homes now have rooftop Solar PV Systems installed. With the government rebate still alive and well, it explains the why. But before installing a solar panel system, there are a few things you need to know about how Solar panels work.
WHAT ARE SOLAR PANELS?
We’ll make it simple for you to understand how a Solar PV (photovoltaic) system works. Solar panels are the vanguard of any solar system. They are made up of PV cells which absorb light and turn it into DC electricity. This is called the Photovoltaic process. Solar panels are made up of a network of dark coloured cells. These cells are all connected together and protected by a glass plate which are then mounted onto a backing board. The panels are then locked in together with corrosion resistant aluminium frames to keep them safely in place.
A Solar System installation by Red Giant Solar in Beacon Hill, Sydney. 2018
The Solar PV cells, which most panels usually either have 60 or 72, then absorb sunlight in order to turn into usable electricity. The initial captured electricity is in the form of DC or, Direct current. This is all fine and well, but DC electricity can’t power your home. That’s where your inverter comes into the picture.
But before we move on to the types of Solar inverters, there are 2 main types of Solar panel compositions and they are:
Polycrystalline (Multi) PV Panels:
Polycrystalline solar panels are usually made up of dark blueish cells, and are said to have better tolerance to higher temperatures throughout the longevity of their lifespan, however, that doesn’t mean they are more efficient.
“It is no surprise that over 1 million Australian homes now have rooftop Solar PV Systems”
Mono Crystalline PV Panels:
Mono crystalline Solar panels are made up of black cells which are generally more compact and able to output higher wattages of power. Mono Solar panels are better known for their higher efficiency and are found in most newer models of Solar panels on the Australian Solar panel market.
Although both have their advantages, it is difficult to make a simple judgement as to which is better overall, as Solar panels are a complex invention with many intertwined components and factors that make up the final product. The efficiency of solar panels is calculated based on their electricity output which is measured in watts, in comparison to their surface area. Meaning, the more Solar power being produced out of the least amount of space is what determines how efficient a Solar panel really is.
Ready to go Solar? Feel free to contact Red Giant Solar so that we may tailor a Solar PV system that’s just right for your needs.
