Solar Power Generation
Solar Power generation is getting a lot of press these days. In areas with high government incentives, solar panel installations are becoming quite popular for those looking for a "green" solution to their electricity needs.
With the dropping costs of photovoltaic components and substantial incentive programs, photovoltaic power systems are becoming more affordable. Not only have photovoltaics become more efficient and less costly, but alternative designs are now available that are more aesthetically pleasing and less intrusive to the architecture of the building. New thin film sheets are available to lay between steel roof seams and solar tiles that mimic slate roofing are also available.
For off-grid applications, where no utility connection is used or available, a battery backup systems are available for "Island Mode" operation. The battery is charged during sunny periods and provides power when there is not sufficient insolation during the night. Solar/wind hybrid systems are also an option and may provide a better ROI for some situations and provide faster payback. To evaluate if photovoltaics make sense for you, please visit our learning center to find our PV calculator. This tool will calculate approximate system size, energy offset, and payback period.
No longer are we limited to rectangular panels mounted on frames above traditional roofing products. Slices of silicon wafers mounted on plastic boards and covered with tempered solar glass have been the industry standard for decades. These panels still represent the most economical photovoltaic solution in most cases. In recent years, several manufacturers have produced integrated roofing products that allow the solar collectors to become the roofing itself. This has revolutionized the way photovoltaic systems are installed in the residential sector. These products come in several forms to suit the building needs. Some shaped to integrate with asphalt shingles. Others designed to install like slate tiles. While these products do cost more per watt of installed power, they do offer improved aesthetics and a more finished look than conventional panels.
Another major advancement in collector technology is the photovoltaic laminate sheet. Sometimes called flexible collectors or thin-film collectors, these new products present another option. These sheets lend them selves well to steel roofing. The panels are laid in between the seams of the roof and when installed on dark colored roofing are very discrete. Another advantage to these panels stems from their flexibility. Although glass panels are typically rated for 1" hail stones, flexible panels are nearly indestructible. The installation cost of these collectors is becoming competitive with conventional panels and hopefully volume and technology will drive prices down even further.
Another advantage to integrated solar roofing is the opportunity to cool the panels to improve their performance while at the same time harvesting solar thermal energy for water or space heating. Photovoltaic collectors are more efficient when cooler. A better way to think of it is that they start to become inefficient when they get hot. Although they are all designed to perform reliably without cooling, adding cooling in this manner does increase their efficiency under full sun and high ambient temperatures. This low intensity heating provides and excellent source of energy to pre-heat water drawn from wells or public water supplies. When combined with a solar water heater collector system, nearly all of your domestic hot water can be heated by the sun.
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