Since people are understanding the importance, relevance, and criticality of renewable energy, they are adopting solar energy systems. Interest in this GREEN energy source is shooting up at amazing rates.
When you call any of the best solar installers in Sydney and get solar power systems installed, it is a big environmental plus.
But, when it comes to solar systems, do you really know how they work? What solar panels are made up of?
Solar systems consist of solar panels, (or photovoltaic (PV) panels), a solar inverter (which is a critical part), and a rack to keep the system in place. The system also contains a battery and an electric meter.
The type and number of solar panels will depend on the amount of energy required.
What is the use of an inverter in this system? Let’s understand that.
What is a solar inverter?
A solar inverter is a crucial part of a solar power system because it converts the energy output from solar panels into a usable electricity form. This electricity can be used in your workplace or home. How do they work?
A solar inverter is an equipment that takes in the variable direct current, or ‘DC’ output from solar panels. It transforms it into alternating 120V/240V current, or ‘AC’ output.
It is required because all your home appliances run on an Alternate Current or AC. So, the DC current generated by your solar system cannot be used directly.
That is the reason you want any of the best solar inverters in Sydney to get the benefit of a solar power system.
How does the inverter change the current?
Since the home appliances cannot run on DC, you need an inverter. So, after installing the best residential solar panels in Sydney, you need the best inverter as well.
When the sun shines down on the solar panels, the PV cells or photovoltaic cells get activated. These cells are made of semiconductor layers of crystalline silicon or gallium arsenide.
The layers of the cells are both positive and negative charged and they are connected by a junction.
When the sun shines, the semiconductor layers absorb the light, and the energy is transferred to the PV cell.
This energy runs around and when electrons move between the oppositely charged layers, an electric current is produced.
This current is called DC or Direct Current. Once this current is produced, it is either stored in a battery for later use or it is sent directly to an inverter. The mechanism depends on the type of system you have.
If the energy is sent to the inverter, it is in DC format but the home appliance needs AC. The inverter grabs the energy and runs it through a transformer. The output is an AC current. The inverter actually ‘tricks’ the transformer into considering the DC as AC. It forces it to act in a way like AC. The inverter runs the DC through two or more transistors. These transistors turn on and off at very fast speeds.