Commercial Solar
Solar panels and Photovoltaic Systems have become a common and more preferred means of electricity generation for both commercial and domestic use. Solar radiation is directly converted into direct current electricity using semi-conductors; and for this purpose, solar panels composed of cells with photovoltaic material are used. Monocrystalline PV cells are the most common although Polycrystalline and Thin Film cells are also available and have varying degrees of efficiency. Average cost for a 2kw solar pv installation is around £10,000 or as much as £35,000 for a 10kW solar panel system.
Application of Solar Panels and PV Systems
Most commercial enterprises keen on saving on energy costs have invested in solar energy and installed panels and PV Systems on their buildings while some have opted to harvest solar energy in power stations commonly called farms. Solar energy has been widely used in the transport sector as motive power in transport applications and auxiliary power in boats and cars. Some common yet essential devices such as calculators, water pumps, parking meters, energy telephones and temporary traffic signs are also being powered using solar energy. Developing countries in Africa and Asia have also embarked on ambitious rural electrification programmes using solar power. Scientists have not been left behind and most, if not all, space satellites are solar-powered.
Installation
There are quite a number of companies dealing in solar panels and their installation and finding them is best left to the services of a specialist solar comparison site which is able to review solar panel suppliers and their products. Once a reputable solar supplier has been found then they will be able to inform you of the benefits of installing solar panels in your business. The government facilitates this process by providing incentives such as the Clean Energy Cash Back Scheme, which encourages producers to sell their excess energy into the National Grid, and the Low Carbon Building Programme which provides grants for installation. Solar panels and PV Systems are either mounted on the ground or built on roofs/walls (Building Integrated Photovoltaic, BIPV). PV Modules are required to convert light into electricity and a Mounting System is required to form a support structure for the modules. An Inverter is needed within a solar panel system to process the solar power to fine AC quality while cables and adaptors are required to deliver the electricity to the consumer. A Smart Meter will be necessary to record the amount of electricity produced by the PV System, the amount of energy consumed by the building and the electricity exported to the national grid.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Panels
Solar energy is a clean source which is pollution-free and does not therefore pose any danger to the environment. The panels once installed do not require regular maintenance and therefore greatly lower operating costs while at the same time reducing electricity bills since it is cheaper and more affordable than other sources. Generation of solar energy is an income earner since excess energy can be sold to the National Grid for up to 43.3p p/kWh, thus earning the producer extra income. Installation costs might be high but the benefits far outweigh the costs while storage power systems serve to save energy for conditions of cloudy weather and at night when solar panels cannot function.
