How much electricity will a photovoltaic system produce? It depends on solar resources, orientation, system size and rating, and operating temperature of the solar modules. You've thought about converting...
You've thought about converting your home into a solar energy system, but you're unsure about how much power you will get. Michael Kuhn, co-founder of Imagine Solar International, who gives lectures all over the nation about solar energy, says your worries are normal. Everybody thinks of the energy output when they are considering using solar power.
"How much electricity a PV system will produce depends on the available solar resource, the orientation of the system to the sun, the size of the system, the efficiency rating of the system components, and the operating temperature of the solar module," Kuhn says.
When it comes to photovoltaics in your home, there are several considerations. You have to measure solar resource.
"The solar resource has been measured and is available in table form via the Internet according to the location of the installation. The solar resource values include weather considerations, as well as location," Kuhn says.
Another factor relating to how much solar power your home will emit has to do with orientation.
"Orientation to the sun concerns the direction the solar modules are facing and the tilt they have from the horizontal plane. Facing South is best followed by Southwest. A tilt equal to the latitude is a good rule of thumb for the best power production," Kuhn says.
Kuhn says the next thing you will have to think about is your solar system size and AC rating in your home.
"The larger system you have, the more electricity you will generate. A system with twice as many solar modules will produce twice as much electricity. It is important to use the AC rating of the system to calculate the kWh of electricity that the system will produce. Solar modules produce direct current (DC), which must be converted to alternating current (AC) to power conventional appliances, homes, and businesses. The AC rating of the system will take into account the efficiencies of the system components and give you a better number to calculate the output of the system," Kuhn says.
Then, you have to think about the operating temperatures of the solar modules.
"There is an inverse relationship between the operating temperature of the solar modules and their electrical output. That is as the operating temperature increases the output will decrease. Your contractor should follow proper installation guidelines from the solar module manufacturer to insure maximum power output," Kuhn says.
Kuhn suggests getting a solar calculator for your solar energy home.
