Monthly Solar lease

Our monthly solar lease is very similar to your current utility bill. The energy will be generated on-site through clean solar power and the customer will see some level of savings on their bills. But just like your regular utility bill, you don't own the electricity generator and you don't pay for any property. Instead, you only pay for the electricity that the solar panels produce. A homeowner with a leased rooftop system has essentially gone from paying their electric bill to paying a solar company. Additionally, homeowners cannot claim the 30% federal solar tax credit.

Several companies have begun to incorporate electronics into photovoltaic modules. This allows MPPT to be performed for each module individually and performance data to be measured for monitoring and fault detection at the module level. Some of these solutions use power optimizers, a DC-to-DC converter technology developed to maximize energy harvesting from solar PV systems. As of about 2010, such electronics can also compensate for shading effects, where a shadow falling over part of a module causes the electrical output of one or more strings of cells in the module to drop to zero, but does not cause the output of the entire module to drop to zero.[cit ]

Smart module

Smart modules are a type of solar panel that has a performance optimizer built into the solar module at the time of manufacture. The power optimizer is usually built into the junction box of the solar module. Power optimizers attached to the solar module frame or connected to the PV circuit via a connector are not properly considered smart modules.[8]

Smart modules differ from traditional solar panels because the power electronics built into the module offer enhanced features such as panel-level maximum power point tracking, monitoring and enhanced safety.

History

Solar panel installers saw a significant increase between 2008 and 2013.[9] Because of this growth, many installers had projects that were not the "ideal" solar roofs for the job and had to find solutions for shaded roofs and orientation issues.[10] This challenge was initially addressed by the re-popularization of microinverters and later by the invention of power optimizers.

Solar panel manufacturers have partnered with microinverter companies to create AC modules, and power optimization companies have partnered with module manufacturers to create smart modules.[11] In 2013, many solar panel manufacturers announced and began shipping their smart module solutions.[12]

Interconnection of modules

In the example circuit, the blocking diode is placed in series with each module string, while the bypass diodes are placed in parallel with the modules.

The electrical connection of the module is carried out by conductive wires that carry the current from the modules and are dimensioned according to the rated current and fault conditions.

The panels are usually connected in series of one or more panels to form strings to achieve the desired output voltage, and the strings can be connected in parallel to provide the required current capacity (amps) of the PV system.

Blocking and bypass diodes can be incorporated into the module or used externally to deal with partial field shielding to maximize output. In a series connection, bypass diodes are placed in parallel with the modules to allow current to bypass shielded modules that would have high resistance. For parallel connection, a blocking diode can be placed in series with the string of each module to prevent the internal impedance of the shielded strings from shorting other strings.

Concentrator

Some special solar PV modules contain concentrators in which the light is focused by lenses or mirrors onto smaller cells. This allows cells with a high cost per unit area (such as gallium arsenide) to be used in a cost-effective manner.

Assembly and monitoring

Main articles: Photovoltaic mounting system and Solar tracker

Solar modules mounted on solar trackers

Workers install residential rooftop solar panels

To maximize overall energy output, modules are often oriented to face south (in the northern hemisphere) or north (in the southern hemisphere) and tilted to allow for latitude.

Ground floor

Large solar power plants typically use ground-based photovoltaic systems. Their solar modules are held in place by racks or frames that are attached to ground mounting supports.[13][14] Ground mounting brackets include:

Rod holders that are driven directly into the ground or embedded in concrete.

Foundation supports such as concrete slabs or cast foundations

Load footings, such as concrete or steel footings, that use weight to secure the solar module system in place and do not require ground penetration. This type of mounting system is suitable for locations where excavation is not possible, such as covered landfills, and simplifies the decommissioning or relocation of solar module systems.

Roof

Main article: Rooftop solar energy

Rooftop solar energy systems consist of solar modules held in place by racks or frames attached to mounting supports on the roof.[15] Roof mounting brackets include:

Rail holders that attach directly to the roof structure and can use additional rails to attach modular shelving or frames.

Load-bearing footings, such as concrete or steel footings, which use weight to secure the panel system in place and do not require penetration. This mounting method allows solar panel systems to be decommissioned or relocated without adversely affecting the roof structure.

All wiring connecting adjacent solar modules to the energy harvesting device must be installed in accordance with local electrical codes and should be routed in conduit suitable for the climate.

Tracking

Solar trackers increase the power produced per module at the cost of mechanical complexity and increased maintenance needs. They sense the direction of the sun and tilt or rotate the modules as needed for maximum exposure to light.[16][17]

Alternatively, fixed stands can hold the modules stationary throughout the day at a given inclination (zenith angle) and turned in a given direction (azimuth angle). Tilt angles equivalent to the installation latitude are common. Some systems can also adjust the tilt angle based on the season.[18]

On the other hand, east-west oriented fields (covering, for example, an east-west oriented roof) are commonly used. Although such installations will not produce the maximum possible average power from individual solar panels, the cost of the panels is now usually cheaper than the tracking mechanism and can provide more economically valuable power during the morning and evening peaks than north or south. systems.