Are you thinking about using the sun's energy to power your house? If you are, then you know moving to solar is a big decision. These days, using solar power for homes is becoming quite popular. It not only helps save money, it also protects the environment. In the Philippines, many Filipinos are now looking into installing solar setups for their houses. If you're sure about your decision, this article will help you understand solar energy basics. and how a key device called a grid tie inverter works.
You can produce your own electricity just by installing solar panels on your rooftop. During the day, these panels get their energy from sunlight (hence, "Solar") and then store it. This process changes sunlight into electricity that you can easily use inside your house. Soon, you'll notice that your monthly electric bill is reduced when you use these panels.
These large, flat pieces of glass sit securely on your roof. Their job is to absorb light, then turn it into electricity to power your appliances and whatnot.
This is a frame that safely holds the solar panels in place. It keeps them attached even during heavy rains and strong winds.
These are the cables that carry the electricity to your house. They also include switches that let you turn the entire system off safely.
This is the most important device in a grid tie system. It takes the raw electricity from the panels and turns it into energy that your home appliances can use.
Because the country receives plentiful sunlight all year long, the Philippines is a great location for using solar energy. This kind of steady ongoing climate is what makes solar panels work really well. And as mentioned earlier, you get two big advantages: you save money and you help the planet.
There are many residences that have high electricity bills in the Philippines. This is why numerous homes in the country are contemplating using solar power. When your home makes its own electricity, you buy less power from your electric company. Over time, these savings become a large amount of money. Meaning, the money you spend on the system will eventually come back to you.
Because it comes directly from the sun, using solar energy is a really clean way to get electricity. It lessens the need for power plants that burn fossil fuels (e.g., coal or oil). This means when you change to solar, you support a cleaner, greener future for everyone. Because burning fossil fuels only causes pollution.
A grid tie inverter is an electric system. This connects your solar panels to your house and also to the power company's electric lines. Solar panels make a kind of electricity called Direct Current, or DC power. That being said, all of your home appliances and the main power grid use Alternating Current, or AC power. So the main job of the inverter is to change the DC power into usable AC power.
The inverter takes in the raw DC electricity that the solar panels create. This power flows in through thick copper wires. The direct current created by the panels is not yet ready for home use. The inverter acts as a power-traffic controller at this starting point.
The inverter uses special electronic parts to quickly switch the power's direction. This action changes the DC power into AC power. These electronic parts switch the current's flow hundreds of times each second. This fast switching is what makes the electricity match the type used by your home and the power grid.
The inverter checks the power from the grid to make sure its own power matches perfectly. It then sends the new AC power to your main electric panel. This converted power will run all of your lights and appliances.
Your solar panels may sometimes make more power than your home needs at a given time. In a grid tie setup, the inverter sends this extra power back out to the main power grid. The electric company then gives you credit for the power you sent to them. This process is called "net metering" and it helps you get even more savings on your bill.
Grid tie inverters have a very important safety feature called "anti-islanding." If the power company's grid suddenly goes out, the inverter will quickly and automatically turn off. This action prevents the solar system from sending any power to the grid when utility workers are fixing the electric lines. This keeps the workers safe from serious electric shock.
Using a home solar system with a grid tie inverter is a clean and responsible choice for acquiring energy. Understanding this technology is the first step to enjoy all the great benefits of solar power for homes. The inverter connects the system. It changes the sun's DC energy into usable AC electricity. It not only powers your home, it can even send extra power back to the grid for extra savings.