Power From Above-Wilson Solar System
Most of the solar systems that you see on roofs around the country, are thermal solar systems. Photo-Voltaic (PV) like the one in this example are somewhat rare. Solar thermal captures the heat of the sun, and transfers that heat to a liquid which is used in the buildings water system or heating system. Solar thermal are fairly efficient, but very limited in scope.
Photo-Voltaic systems on the other hand capture the energy of the photon. Photons are discrete bundles of electromagnetic energy, which when captured in the matrix of a solar Photo-Voltaic system, produce measureable electrical bias. This energy can be stored in batteries to use as you see fit. PV systems are not limited to any particular function since the energy can be used from lighting, heating, to cooling. Anything you would currently power from a receptacle.
Photo-Voltaic systems on the other hand capture the energy of the photon. Photons are discrete bundles of electromagnetic energy, which when captured in the matrix of a solar Photo-Voltaic system, produce measureable electrical bias. This energy can be stored in batteries to use as you see fit. PV systems are not limited to any particular function since the energy can be used from lighting, heating, to cooling. Anything you would currently power from a receptacle.
The panel shown above is situated to directly face the sun at this time of day.
You can see the light pattern on the car to the right indicates what appears to be
full direct sun at the time this picture was taken.
The battery storage system in this case is LA. Since most inverters are 48VDC, and PV systems are designed to work with most common inverters, this system is 48VDC. The packs are currently being upgraded to LiFePO4 packs.
Nice heavy duty Outback inverters take the
DC stored in the LA cells and
convert it to usable AC energy.
These are probably the best inverters on the market for solar or wind systems.