Energy captured from the sun is known as solar energy.

To generate electricity or heat liquids or solids, solar power captures the sun’s rays and converts them into thermal energy.

Solar fuels, such as hydrogen, can be made with no energy input other than from the sun itself.

And over 700 GW more solar had been built by the end of 2020, providing enough power for almost 3 per cent of the world’s homes.

Significant cost reductions have made solar PV energy the fastest-growing source of new electricity generation worldwide. The global levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for large-scale solar decreased by 85% between 2010 and 2019.

There is a good reason why solar power is quickly becoming one of the most popular renewable energy options.

Solar energy is a great option for many different people and places because it is both affordable and beneficial for the environment. So, what is solar energy, and how does it function?

This blog will cover the fundamentals of solar energy, including its origins, the various solar panel options, and the advantages of using solar power.

This blog will give you a complete picture of solar power, whether you’re interested in using it in your own home or business, or you want to learn more about this cutting-edge technology.

How Does Solar Power Function?

Solar thermal and solar photovoltaic technologies are the primary forms of solar energy generation.

Photovoltaic Solar

Solar PV, a semiconductor cell, is the technological backbone of solar photovoltaics.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells are the most popular type, and they are often housed in a glass and aluminium frame to make a solar panel.

Solar panels come in various sizes and shapes, allowing them to be used for everything from illuminating a single bulb to covering an entire roof for domestic usage or even be integrated into a massive solar farm producing hundreds more megawatts of electricity.

Although solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are now the most common type of PV technology, additional types have been developed for specific purposes, such as PV that may be integrated into buildings, flexible PV, and PV paint.

Solar photovoltaic panels in Australia typically produce DC (direct current) energy and are wired into the grid.

To power your home’s appliances with the standard 240v AC (alternating current) power, you’ll need to utilise an inverter to transform the DC power.

All of the power your PV array generates is sent straight to your house, and any surplus is sent back into the grid. When it’s nighttime or your PV solar system isn’t producing enough power, your home will draw power from the grid.

Battery-backed solar photovoltaic installations are also viable but far rarer than grid-connected ones.

Batteries in solar photovoltaic systems store excess energy produced by the sun throughout the day for use later when the sun isn’t shining as brightly or even to keep electronics functioning in the event of a blackout.

A home can go totally off the grid if, indeed, the battery used is powerful enough, though such systems are expensive to set up and typically require a diesel engine as a backup.

Solar Thermal

By using solar thermal technology, sunlight is transformed into heat (thermal energy), which may then be put to use in several different ways, including the generation of steam to power an electric generator.

With this power, a refrigeration cycle can offer cooling from the sun.

Two major categories of solar thermal systems exist.

• Thermotechnology, on a small scale, is employed to warm either a space or a water body (such as in a solar hot water system).
• By concentrating the sun’s rays, we can harness its heat and turn it into a reliable power source for entire cities. A receiver collects the sun’s rays after they have been reflected by a field of mirrors, and then the heat is transferred to a system that stores thermal energy. When it’s time to use the stored energy, it’s released.

Batteries And Solar PV 

Around thirty per cent of Australian households currently have rooftop solar PV systems, making it the country with the highest solar adoption rate internationally.

And over 3 million solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are installed on Australian rooftops as of January 31st, 2022.

PV systems emit no glasshouse gases while turning sunlight into electricity.

The extra power can be fed back into the grid (earning a feed-in payment) or stored in a battery pack for later use. In an electrical outage, batteries can also serve as a backup power source.

Combining photovoltaics (PV) with batteries presents the opportunity for energy independence from the grid. This is also an important step in the overall movement away from fossils.

Payback Period

An entry-level residential solar photovoltaic (PV) system installation can cost roughly $3500. When both demand and production volume rise, prices fall.

When fully paid for, solar photovoltaic systems can save their owners money by providing them with free energy during daylight hours.

The payback time for a system sans batteries is typically between three and five years. When batteries are included, the ROI gets pushed back.

Calculating the annual energy use of a typical home of your size n your location using your electric bills can give you a decent indication of the possible benefit.

Organise Before You Buy

Long-term financial commitment is required for a solar PV installation. Both the market & technology are changing at a lightning pace. Feed-in tariffs, discounts, and other incentives are not uniform nationwide.

There are many parts and possibilities to think about.

In areas where gas is employed for heating, hot water, or cooking, switching to electrical alternatives may be more cost-effective than installing a solar PV system.

The most cost-effective method of producing hot water is an electric pumping system. Similarly, a heating and cooling system that operates in reverse is highly recommended.

Investigate the possibility of future upgrades, such as the addition of batteries or solar panels, to see if the system could keep up with your needs as technology advances.

Remember that some solar panels may not be of high quality and that certain “bargains” are not what they seem.

Selecting The Best Panel

The sunshine is transformed into electricity via solar panels. A photovoltaic (PV) system is what you’re looking for here.

Many various panel options are available, each with its wattage and power output.

There is a wide selection of products available, and innovations in technology and streamlined processes appear constantly.

However, there is a wide range of solar panels available, each with its level of efficiency, quality, and dependability despite their superficial similarities.

Solar panels perform best on sunny, unobstructed rooftops. In cases where it is not possible, the panels should be placed in the sunniest area possible.

In Australia, solar panels come with a basic product guarantee of 10 years and a performance warranty of 25 years. If you need to file a claim ten or twenty years from now, remember that certain manufacturers can no longer exist.

Inverters

The solar PV system cannot function without solar inverters. They take the electricity produced by solar panels in direct current (DC) form and change it into alternating (AC) that may be used in the house.

Inverters can have their output, consumption, and proper operation tracked by a computer programme or mobile app.

Home systems can use a variety of inverter types.

String Inverters

Often used in homes, these power ranges from 1.5 to 5kW and are the most widely used. A series of solar panels are integrated into a single unit.

For larger panel installations, more than a string inverter would be needed.

The biggest drawback is that the overall brightness is diminished if even one of the linked panels is shaded.

In other words, the system will function at the level of the least efficient panel at all times.

It follows that a string inverter system works best with a panel array that gets direct sunlight all day long.

The standard lifetime of a string inverter is between 5 and 10 years, and the warranty should include parts and labour. Extended warranties are available from some manufacturers for an extra fee.

Micro Inverters

These smaller 200-250W units are either on a rack or attached to each panel. They work well in situations where panels will be intermittently shaded by trees or other structures.

When using a microinverter system, you can keep tabs on how each panel is doing.

Another perk is that the array’s output is not drastically altered by the loss of power from a single panel. If an inverter or panel fails, the system as a whole will keep producing electricity because there is no one point of failure.

The cost of a microinverter system is much higher than that of a string inverter system.

Micro inverters typically come with a 10- to 25-year warranty (10 years when racked, 25 years when hooked directly to the panel).

Only-battery Inverters

Adding the battery-only inverter to a previously installed solar PV system is a common practice. The extra power is stored in a battery inverter for later use.

Hybrid Inverters

Hybrids are multi-purpose devices that serve as a string and a battery inverter. Hybrid inverters are convenient for scalable systems since they may be set up and used before batteries are in place.

Talk to your retailer & installer about your options, including any improvements or expansions you might want to make.

Batteries

The ‘extra’ energy produced by a solar panel array can be stored in rechargeable batteries, increasing the system’s overall energy output and making the energy available even on overcast days.

Using lithium-ion batteries for solar storage is now more practical than ever, thanks to developments in battery technology and declining costs.

Evaluate your energy demands before purchasing multiple battery batteries. Rather than spending money on unnecessary capacity, surplus power could be sold back to the grid.

All electric appliances can run off solar energy if that’s what you use.

Improper installation of a battery storage system poses a significant threat to public safety and could affect insurance rates.

Maintaining And Cleaning

Panels must be cleaned regularly to keep functioning at peak performance. Contact an expert to check out your system if you see any broken parts.

Advantages Of Solar Pv Systems

By installing a solar PV system, you may generate clean energy and reduce your monthly power costs.

Your home’s electrical equipment would use some of that electricity you generate, and any excess will be returned to the power company.

Every day, a typical Victoria, Australia home uses about 12-kilowatt hours (kWh) of power.

Since the amount the system produces varies during the year depending on the daily supply of sunshine changes, a 1.5–3 megawatt solar PV system may generate roughly 45–90% of this over a year.

If you have a large enough PV system and use a lot of electricity, you may be able to use all the electricity that your PV system generates during the day.

A greater proportion of the electricity you use during the day will be supplied by photovoltaic cells.

As a rule of thumb, a PV system will export between 70 and 50 percent of its output to the grid, while the homeowner will use between 30 and 50 per cent of the power produced.

Your yearly electricity costs will decrease as a result of this:

• by decreasing your reliance on grid electricity or mains electricity (and how much you are therefore billed for this by your retailer)
• because you receive compensation for any electricity you send back to the main line (see feed-in tariff below).

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Power

What is solar power?

Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into power.

There are two energy sources from the sun for our use – electricity and heat. Both are generated through solar panels, which range in size from residential rooftops to ‘solar farms’ stretching over acres of rural land.

Why is solar power important?

As a renewable power source, solar energy is important in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production.

Why is solar power the best energy source?

Provides clean, renewable energy

Home solar is a clean, emissions-free, and renewable energy source. Unlike fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, home solar doesn’t release harmful pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions—like carbon dioxide—into the air and water supply.

Is Solar Right for You?

As energy customers turn towards more renewable and green energy options, it’s important to differentiate their pros and cons.

Before committing to a newer, greener energy source, establish a budget that would be affordable to you and your family. 

Then, calculate what the solar energy option would cost you in the long run and how much it would save over time.

Make a list of pros and cons that are personalised to you and your family so you can better understand what options are more beneficial to you than others.

How is solar energy collected?

The most common devices used to collect solar energy and convert it to thermal energy are flat-plate collectors.

Another method of thermal energy conversion is found in solar ponds, which are bodies of saltwater designed to collect and store solar energy. 

Solar radiation may also be converted directly into electricity by solar cells or photovoltaic cells or harnessed to cook food in specially designed solar ovens, typically concentrating sunlight from over a wide area to a central point.

Conclusion

The cost of solar energy has dropped by 85% between 2010 and 2019, making it the fastest-growing source of new electricity generation worldwide.

Primarily, solar energy is generated through solar thermal and solar photovoltaic technologies, with solar PV currently dominating the market.

Solar panels range in size from those designed to power a single light bulb to those designed to provide power to an entire home.

There are many applications for the heat generated by solar thermal technology, which is used in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Systems with backup batteries can store the sun’s excess energy for use when the sun isn’t shining as brightly or to keep electronics running during a power outage.

Australia has the highest solar adoption rate in the world, with about 30 percent of homes using rooftop solar PV systems.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity that doesn’t contribute to global warming, and that energy can either be fed back into the grid or stored in a battery pack for later use.

In the event of a blackout, they can provide emergency power.

During the day, solar photovoltaic systems generate energy for free, saving their owners money. You can get a rough idea of the potential savings by figuring out how much energy a typical house of your size and location consumes annually using electric bills.

The only-battery inverter can be used as both a string inverter and a battery inverter.

Because they can be installed and put to use before batteries are even in place, hybrid inverters are a time- and cost-saving option for scalable systems. Talk to your retailer & installer about your options.

Solar PV systems can be used to generate clean energy and reduce monthly power costs, while battery storage systems pose a threat to public safety and could affect insurance rates.

An average home in Victoria, Australia, will use 30–50% of the electricity generated by a 1.5–3 MW solar PV system annually.

When solar PV systems are used, less money is spent on grid electricity (also known as “mains electricity”), and the system owner is compensated for any excess electricity that is sent back to the grid.

Content Summary

• Significant cost reductions have made solar PV energy the fastest-growing source of new electricity generation worldwide.
• There is a good reason why solar power is quickly becoming one of the most popular renewable energy options.
• Solar energy is a great option for many different people and places because it is both affordable and beneficial for the environment.
• This blog will cover the fundamentals of solar energy, including its origins, the various solar panel options, and the advantages of using solar power.
• Solar thermal and solar photovoltaic technologies are the primary forms of solar energy generation.
• All of the power your PV array generates is sent straight to your house, and any surplus is sent back into the grid.
• When it’s nighttime or your PV solar system isn’t producing enough power, your home will draw power from the grid.
• Around thirty per cent of Australian households currently have rooftop solar PV systems, making it the country with the highest solar adoption rate internationally.
• The extra power can be fed back into the grid (earning a feed-in payment) or stored in a battery pack for later use.
• Calculating the annual energy use of a typical home of your size in your location using your electric bills can give you a decent indication of the possible benefit.
• In areas where gas is employed for heating, hot water, or cooking, switching to electrical alternatives may be more cost-effective than installing a solar PV system.
• The most cost-effective method of producing hot water is an electric pumping system.
• Investigate the possibility of future upgrades, such as the addition of batteries or solar panels, to see if the system could keep up with your needs as technology advances.
• A photovoltaic (PV) system is what you’re looking for here.
• Home systems can use a variety of inverter types.
• For larger panel installations, more than a string inverter would be needed.
• It follows that a string inverter system works best with a panel array that gets direct sunlight all day long.
• The cost of a microinverter system is much higher than that of a string inverter system.
• The extra power is stored in a battery inverter for later use.
• Rather than spending money on unnecessary capacity, surplus power could be sold back to the grid.
• All electric appliances can run off solar energy if that’s what you use.
• Improper installation of a battery storage system poses a significant threat to public safety and could affect insurance rates.
• Contact an expert to check out your system if you see any broken parts.
• By installing a solar PV system, you may generate clean energy and reduce your monthly power costs.
• Your home’s electrical equipment would use some of that electricity you generate, and any excess will be returned to the power company.
• Since the amount the system produces varies during the year depending on the daily supply of sunshine changes, a 1.5–3 megawatt solar PV system may generate roughly 45–90% of this over a year.
• If you have a large enough PV system and use a lot of electricity, you may be able to use all the electricity that your PV system generates during the day.
• A greater proportion of the electricity you use during the day will be supplied by photovoltaic cells.
• As a rule of thumb, a PV system will export between 70 and 50 percent of its output to the grid, while the homeowner will use between 30 and 50 per cent of the power produced.