Solar Power 101 - how does sunlight turn into electricity

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Short and concise explanation of solar photovoltaic systems. How do they work? Do I need batteries?

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Science & Technology

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• solar
• power
• environment
• global
• warming
• alternative
• energy
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• augustwolf

[tech33012]

Got a question:

Is there's a big inverter that i can use for home if i want to off grid

[frankendependence]

Hey,

Sorry it took so long to reply.

If you are going to be off grid, you don't need an inverter. Solar panels generate DC current which is the same type of power in a battery or a motorhome.

You need something called a charge controller, but the purpose of an inverter is to change DC power to AC power to run the normal AC current devices in your home or business. If you are going to be 100% off-grid, you will need to use batteries and DC appliances and devices.

[tyroonblackfire]

Solar Power very good thing and more people should probably try a

Although may as well point out that you cannot charge a battery/s with AC current, unlike this video suggests. Ever you would have to have it before the converter maybe in a similar fusion to a UPS or a second converter to change it back to DC just to charge the battery/s and that would be next to pointless.

[frankendependence]

There are modern inverters (such as those built by Outback) that incorporate battery charging technology "in the box". You are correct that you need DC power to charge batteries. Off grid systems which rely on batteries often require DC appliances and lighting (like those found in motorhomes). Solar power inverters are quickly making solar photovoltaics plug and play for almost any circumstance.

In a grid tied system, batteries are seldom used these days. They are for backup power only

[frankendependence]

Good point, cost is important.

The real problem with the cost of solar is that it is not a level playing field. Coal power is incredibly cheap in dollars, very expensive in environmental costs (what the economists call externalities).

If we are truly going to commit to energy independence, the costs have to be recalibrated to account for the long range benefits. It will take people, businesses and government working together to end dependence on polluting energy sources.

[iLOVENATURE2011]

very well said! =)

[ffletcherr]

@GUARDIANOFFER if I had a bullet for every word of that comment I'd put them all in my head

[ffletcherr]

I feel like I could understand this explanation with any kind of mental handicap... I'll be looking for the grade 2 level explanation next

[Innotechsolarusa]

Great video, thanks for the illustration

[doublej706]

This is not true.

[nameis12396]

@GUARDIANOFFOR what u wrote made no sense. i think ur post made me legally retarded.

[fireofenergy]

2% of Earth's land would power 10 billion at a western standard, assuming better insulation, led lights and electric cars. However, there is still infrared (heat) emitted when sunlight hits the dark surface of conventional panels.

If MACHINE made batteries and GaAs concentrating systems were used instead, to power the world, there would be MUCH less heat and only 1% land needed...

Search "oil storm solar" for quick dramatization

[v3r71c0r]

Ummm...That didn't explain anything about how sunlight is converted into energy, that was about how its used. Might wanna name your videos properly next time. Other then that very informative

[dhirake]

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