Solar energy harnessing through the use of solar panels installed in small homes presents better alternative to the hydroelectric provided through the national grid. While the use of solar panels may provide several advantages over the use of hydroelectricity, its usage presents several pitfalls to the user. It is imperative to investigate and outline the possible costs and advantages associated with the use of solar panels as a source of harnessing solar energy before installation is started.
In most cases, the decisions concerning the installation of solar panels as the primary source of electricity are normally based on the cost-benefit analysis. It is significant to outline all the costs associated with installing solar panels as well as the advantages it presents over the use of hydroelectricity. Also, the pitfalls associated with the use of solar panels should be outlined and explored before a decision to install made (Hinkley et al. 242). While solar panels may seem to be the best alternative source of electricity to many small homes, it is not the preferred choice for other regions with limited sunshine, duration and intensity.
Furthermore, it is imperative to point out that the costs and benefits of installing solar panels depend on several factors (Hinkley et al. 242). The location of the family home plays a significant role given that it determines the amount, intensity and duration of solar the panels will receive in a day. Additionally, the components used for installing solar panels should be of low cost but high quality and performance. Mrs Sunbeam’s family stays in Mackay, 4740; this region of the Australia receives an average solar irradiation level of 5.29-kilowatt hours per square meter on a daily basis.
Components to be installed
It is crucial to note that it requires more than a solar panel to get a photovoltaic system up and running. There are at least four essential components that make up a complete and operational photovoltaic system: solar panels, batteries, controller and inverter (Martin and John 698). These four components play significant roles in harnessing the solar energy, converting the solar energy into electric current, regulating the amount of energy supplied to the house and storing the excess for later usage (Winter, Rudolf and Lorin 34).
Solar panels
Solar panel forms a key component in the photovoltaic system used for harnessing solar power. Solar panels are fitted with photovoltaic cells which are used to convert the sun’s energy into usable electricity. The operation of solar cells relies on the photoelectric effect. That is the ability of material to emit electrons in the presence of sunlight (Hinkley et al. 256). The solar cells are made up of semiconductors such as silicon. When the photons from the sunlight hit the silicon in the solar cells, energy is transferred to loose electrons.
The arrangement of the silicon semiconductor within the solar cells makes it possible to herd the loose electrons to generate electricity. The silicon semiconductors are arranged within the solar cell in a manner that allows the n-type electrons to jump to fill the holes created by the p-type silicon (Winter, Rudolf and Lorin 37).This process generates an electric field across the cell. The size of solar panels determines the amount of solar power the system can harness in a given duration and exposure to sunlight.
Brand Comparison
ET Solar: Total power of 1.5kW, performance warranty of 25 years, manufactured in China, comes in 8 by 185 Watt panels, Costs $310.
LDK Solar: Total power of 1.5 kW, costs $300, comes in 6 by 250 watts panels, manufactured in China, performance warranty of 25 years and manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years.
JA Solar: Total power of 1.6kW, costs $350, comes in 8 by 200 Watt panels, Costs Made in China, ten years manufacturer's warranty and 25 years performance warranty.
Inverter
Inverters form the third component of the photovoltaic system. They are used to convert the energy stored in the batteries to the voltage required to run standard electrical equipment. Inverters can also be supplemented with transformers to transform a specific direct current input voltage into an entirely different alternating current output voltage (Martin and John 698). In most cases, the process changes a direct current voltage from the battery to an alternating current voltage of a higher or a lower value depending on the electrical specifications of the house (James N.p). It is imperative to point out that most electrical appliances are designed to run using alternative current (AC) (Zahedi 3257). On the other hand, the electric current and voltage stored in the batteries are in direct current (DC). As a consequence, inverters are needed to change the direct current stored in the cells to a form (direct current) that is usable by most electrical appliances.
Brand Comparison
CMS Inverter: Capacity of 1.65kW, made in China, warranty of 5 optional ten years, costs $ 500
SMA SB1700: Capacity of 1.85kW, made in Germany, warranty of 5 years, costs $ 2240
SMA SB1700: Capacity of 1.7kW, made in Germany, warranty of 5 years $ 2200
Batteries
The electric current and voltage generated by the solar panels are stored using batteries for later use. Batteries are made up of three basic components; the anode, cathode and the electrolyte. The cathode and the anodes are the positive and negative sides of the batteries which are connected to an electrical circuit. Electrons generated by the solar panels are transferred to the anode of the batteries which results in electron transfer through the electrolyte to the cathode. A chemical reaction that occurs in the electrolyte results in a buildup of electrons at the cathode.
The technology used to manufacture batteries has evolved from wet cells to Lithium-ion batteries. Tesla Powerwall has gained popularity as one the preferred batteries in solar panel systems (Martin and John 699). Lithium-ion batteries have the following advantages; light in weight, they have low self-discharge, increased cycle life, high energy density and low maintenance.
Brand comparison
LG Chem RESU: Lithium-Ion battery type, costs $7,500 main pack and additional $ 3640 for very extension pack, Nominal storage of 6.4kWh, the usable storage capacity of 5.12 kWh and 3.6kW steady power (James N.p).
Tesla Powerwall: Lithium-Ion battery type, costs $8000 main pack, Nominal storage of 6.4kWh, the usable storage capacity of 6.4kWh and 3.3kW steady power.
MercedesBenz Energy storage home: Lithium-NCM battery type, costs $6500 main pack, Nominal storage of 2.5kWh, the usable storage capacity of 2kWh and 4.6kW maximum power.
Controller
Solar charge controller is the second component that is imperative for the successful operation of the photovoltaic system. It is used to protect the battery by controlling the amount of electricity from the solar panels to the batteries. A charge controller is a current and or a voltage regulator used to protect batteries from overcharging. It controls the current and voltage from the solar panels going to the batteries for storage. In most cases, the majority of 12 Volt photovoltaic solar panels generate an estimate of 16 to 2 volts which can easily damage the batteries through overcharging (James N.p). As a consequence, solar charge regulator is necessary. It is imperative to point out that almost all solar panels rated at 140 watts are not ordinary 12 volts panels. As a result, these solar panels require specific solar charge controller. Solar charge controllers are a very significant component of the solar system given that they help in power economy. That is, the use of solar charge controller saves close to 20 to 60 percent of power which would have been lost if the maximum input voltage of the voltage controller is exceeded.
Installation location
For maximum solar energy harnessing, the solar panels installed in this location should be positioned to face a Northern direction. The recommended panel angle range is 6 to 16 degrees while the optimal panel angle is 11 degrees. Additionally, the installation location on the roof must have extra space sufficient for the number of solar panels to be installed. As a consequence, the solar panels should be installed on the roof section that faces the northern direction.
Costs involved
The family requires at least 1715kWh per quarter. The family should choose the JA Solar brand of the panel which generates a total power of 1.6kW. An average daily photovoltaic system output in Mackay is 7.5654kWh. The minimum daily and monthly output are 5.3622 kWh. On the other hand, the maximum and monthly average output is 9.4554kWh. Therefore, the average annual output is 2763 kWh. At an average cost of 25c/kWh of electricity, this translates to $690.70. However, the family requires at least 1715kWh per quarter. Therefore the family will require 5.3 kW solar panels (20 x 265 watts). This solar panel will generate an average annual output of 9210kWh, which translates to 2302.5 kWh per quarter. The cost of this electricity is (2302.5 kWhx c25kWh) $ 575.65. The price for the battery and inverter sums up to $ 9,740: LG Chem at $7500 and SMA SB1700 at $ 2240. Given that the total cost for installation and purchase of equipment is cheaper than the electricity bill, it is more economical for Mrs Sunbeam to install a solar panel.
Works Cited
Hinkley, Jim, et al. "Concentrating solar power–drivers and opportunities for cost-competitive electricity." Clayton South: CSIRO (2011).
James, M. "Solar Battery Storage Comparison Table." SolarQuotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2016.
James, M. "Solar Panels/Modules." Solar Choice Solar PV Energy System Installation Brokers Solar PanelsModules Category. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2016.
Martin, Nigel, and John Rice. "The solar photovoltaic feed-in tariff scheme in New South Wales, Australia." Energy Policy 61 (2013): 697-706.
Winter, C-J., Rudolf L. Sizmann, and Lorin L. Vant-Hull, eds. Solar power plants: fundamentals, technology, systems, economics. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.
Zahedi, Ahmad. "A review on feed-in tariff in Australia, what it is now and what it should be." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 14.9 (2010): 3252-3255.
