Solar panels are the most visible component of solar power system. Drive through any area around San Luis Obispo and solar panels can be seen providing cost-efficient power from the southern county line to north of Paso Robles and spreading east and west. But, there is more to solar power than just the panels.
The technology and quality of the panels is very important, since it is the panels that receive and convert sunlight into energy. The technology that transmits the energy, making it usable for home, business, and public energy needs, is just as important. Where and how the panels are installed is also important.
The solar installation team from Electricraft, Inc., is the local solar power source for:
- Answering your questions about solar panels, solar power systems, and solar energy
- Helping you decide the most effective solar panels and system for your needs, including an analysis of your energy requirements
- Helping you decide whether mounting solar panels on a roof or on poles is best for your system
- Designing and installing the complete solar power system from solar panels, to electrical connections, including grid-connections or off-grid stand-alone systems
- Helping you upgrade your existing solar power system
Solar panels for a business or a public energy project have to meet different requirements than solar panels for a single residence. The requirements for solar panels to collect enough energy to supply a ranch or farm are going to be different than for a school, hospital, or business.
Electricraft has the experienced professionals to make sure you get:
- Free estimates
- The best solar panels appropriate for your solar system
- A solid warranty on solar panels and solar system components
- Assistance with loans and financing programs
- The latest-technology and highest quality workmanship and service
How solar panels work
Solar panels are made of cells called photovoltaic cells. “Photovoltaic” is the term that describes the process of turning sunlight into energy. A single panel can have hundreds of these cells, depending on the size of the panel.
Each cell is made out of copper and other semi-conductors, including light absorbing inks. The cells contain multiple layers of silicon (not to be confused with silicone), and specialized membranes that interact with the silicon.
The purpose of this sandwich-like system is to create an electrically inclined field, with alternating positively and negatively charged fields. These are what allow light particles (electrons) to move when the photons begin to heat them up.
There are also metal membranes that line the whole system, trap the electrons and urge them to flow into the wires leading out of the panel. On top of all of that is a layer of protective glass that keeps the cells from being damaged by wind, dirt, and animals.
When the light pierces through the top layer of glass and begins to move through the sandwiched layers of silicon and membranes, the photons (light particles) are exciting the electrons inside. When electrons move back and forth and bounce around through the semi-conductor materials, their movement converts into energy. Inside the solar panel all of those moving electrons are caught and pumped out into the system. The flow of electrons through the wires is what is translated into electricity.