8 Things You Need for a Solar Electric System (On-Grid, Utility Tied System)

The 8 Key Components for a Solar Electricity Generating System are: 
  1. Solar Panels:  These collect and convert sunlight into usable electricity.  They are groups of solar cells mounted inside a frame that protects them from the elements, like rain, snow, hail, wind, and physical damage.  They collect energy that is normally wasted and used for nothing.  (note:  solar panels typically create direct current (DC) electricity but your home uses alternating current (AC) electricity). 
  2. Racking or Mounting System: This is the aluminum (sometimes steel) rack that is used to physically mount the solar panels.  Most urban and suburban installations are roof mounted because this is usually the only available space to mount solar panels in a city.  If there is space available on the ground then the racking system can be mounted on the ground.  This is usually only a possibility outside of cities.  Ground mounted systems may have "trackers" that track the sun on one-axis (less expensive) or on two axes (more expensive, more maintenance).  However, most systems do not track the sun and work very well.  Trackers add expense and maintenance while improving system performance. 
  3. Inverter:  This is the device(s) that changes the DC electricity produced by the solar panels to AC electricity that is compatible with your home's and utility's electrical system. 
  4. Wiring:  There are the wires that connect all the components of the solar system that carry the electricity. 
  5. Cutout Switches:  There are safety cutout switches that disconnect parts of the system for maintenance.  These are provided for safety of anyone working on a solar system so parts of the system can be shut off and worked on. 
  6. Overcurrent Protection Devices (OCPD):  Ther are overcurrent protection devices that automatically turn off if too much current is flowing and causing a safety issue.  OCPD's are often just called circuit breakers just like you have on your house now.  
  7. Utility Grid:  The utility grid is system that the utility company uses to provide electricity to homes and businesses through its power distribution "grid".  The grid is all of the interconnections that distribute power to customers. This includes the distribution system of high voltage lines and lower voltage lines, transformers, switches, in-the-ground wires, and everything that brings electricity to your home and business.  This is a crucial element for a solar power system, because it is used to sell electricity to the utility company during the day when your solar system is producing the most electricity and you may not even be home.  In effect it is like your are "banking" electricity or storing it with the utility company.  In reality your electricity produced is not stored but is used somewhere else on the grid.  The later, like at night, when your solar system is not producing electricity you simply buy back electricity from the utility company.  The end result is that you pay for the amount of electricity your buy from the utility company minus the amount your solar electric system produces. 
  8. House:  And of course your home, lights, and appliances that are using electricity. 
For a non-grid tied system (i.e. no utility connection) you would also need a battery bank, battery charging & regulating system, and would have to oversize your system a bit more for when there are some cloudy days or your consumption goes up.  As you might guess an "off-grid" system like this has higher initial costs and higher ongoing maintenance costs primarily because of the batteries. 


Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com

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Posted by Robert at SunCalSolar.com at April 17, 2009
Categories: Solar Power,Residential Solar
Tags: Design Photovoltaic Green Solar
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