| Having discussed the basic definition of solar power in | | | | panels you'll need. |
| Part 1 of this series, we'll now move on to discuss | | | | 2. Mounting Racks |
| the various types of systems used to produce solar | | | | Mounting racks are used to secure PV panels in place |
| power, beginning with grid-tied systems. | | | | and to ensure they're properly orientated, i.e. facing |
| Grid-Tied - A Definition | | | | south wherever possible to gain the maximum |
| A grid-tied solar power system (also referred to as | | | | amount of solar energy. Depending on the amount of |
| grid-intertied, or on-grid or utility-interactive(UI)) | | | | space available, obstructions, etc., 3 types of mounts |
| produces solar electricity that is fed directly into the | | | | are available: 1) poles that are set in concrete; 2) |
| utility grid, hence the term grid-tied, as the system is | | | | rooftop (the most common in urban areas); 3) |
| tied, literally, to the grid. It's very often the case, e.g. | | | | ground (usually only an option where plenty of land is |
| during the day on weekdays when most families are | | | | available). The amount and type of additional |
| away from their homes, that a grid-tied system is still | | | | hardware needed will vary depending on which type |
| producing electricity, even though very little, if any, is | | | | of mount is selected. |
| being used in the home. This excess energy is then | | | | 3. DC Disconnect |
| fed into the grid, offsetting a residence's electrical | | | | This is used to safely disconnect the flow of |
| usage, and causing the electricity meter to spin | | | | electricity from the PV panels in case of current |
| backwards, resulting in the account with the utility | | | | overload. |
| company being credited with that amount of energy | | | | 4. Inverter |
| (this is known as net metering or net billing, and is | | | | The inverter takes the raw DC power produced by |
| not available in all states, so please check with your | | | | the solar panels and converts it to usable AC |
| utility company as to whether or not this option is | | | | (alternating current) power, which can then be fed |
| available in your case). Thus, the utility grid is acting | | | | into the utility grid, and, subsequently, available to |
| as a storage system and the electricity fed into the | | | | power household apliances, lighting, etc., since they all |
| grid will be available for later use. In this way, a | | | | run off AC electricity. |
| family's electricity bill can be drastically reduced, or | | | | 5. AC Breaker Panel/Inverter AC Disconnect |
| even eliminated in some cases. | | | | The breaker panel is where, as they say, "the twain |
| Components Of A Grid-Tied Solar Electric system | | | | shall meet", i.e. the electrical wiring of a dwelling |
| 1. Solar Panels | | | | connects to the power supply, be it either the grid or |
| Also known as solar modules or photovoltaic (PV) | | | | the solar energy system. It contains labeled circuit |
| panels, this is where all the magic of converting solar | | | | breakers used for both maintenance purposes and to |
| energy into solar power (or electricity) begins. We | | | | protect the wiring from fires, etc. |
| discussed the term "photovoltaic" and its definition in | | | | The inverter AC disconnect, as its name implies, |
| Part 1 of this series, but, briefly, this refers to the | | | | performs the same functions for the inverter and its |
| scientific process by which solar energy is converted | | | | wiring. |
| into electricity. Basically, there are a number of silicon | | | | 6. Kilowatt Hour Meter |
| cells within each PV panel, each of which reacts with | | | | In the case where a building has a grid-tied solar |
| photons, or units of light, from the sun to produce | | | | electric system, most utility companies supply a |
| direct current (DC) electricity. | | | | bi-directional meter at no cost that can measure both |
| One panel by itself will not produce a great deal of | | | | the electricity being fed back into the grid as well as |
| power as far as running household appliances, etc., is | | | | being pulled out of the grid. |
| concerned, so, more often than not, multiple panels | | | | As you can see, there's not a great deal in terms of |
| are combined to from an array to provide the | | | | complexity to a grid-tied solar power system, but the |
| required amount of power. In order to determine the | | | | benefits and savings it can provide are far-reaching. |
| number of panels needed, a rating is assigned to | | | | This system doesn't provide complete |
| each panel in watts to indicate the panel's maximum | | | | energy-independence - in the case of a blackout, no |
| power output under ideal sun and temperature | | | | power would be available. For that, stay tuned for |
| conditions. Divide that into the required amount of | | | | Part 3 in this series, when we'll discuss the solution to |
| power and that's approximately how many solar | | | | that particular type of dilemma. |