What is the process of using solar panels to generate electricity?
* Alternating current (AC).
* Direct current (DC).
In terms of the type of solar panels that are commonly used for commercial and residential purposes, the two most common types are polycrystalline and monocrystalline. These two panels are known for their unique features and how they can generate electricity.
The monocrystalline panels are made of single crystal silicon wafers. These are known for their efficiency, and when sunlight hits these materials, it creates an electric current through the electrons in the silicon. This current is carried through the electrical circuit of the panel.
The output of a solar panel is usually DC, which is used to power devices and batteries. It is then converted into AC through an inverter. Although monocrystalline panels are generally more efficient, they are more expensive.
Unlike monocrystalline panels, the polycrystalline ones have a less uniform structure. When sunlight hits these materials, it creates a photovoltaic effect, which is similar to that of monocrystalline panels. Because of their cost-effectiveness, these panels are a popular choice for residential users.
The advantages of using polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels are clear. They are both sustainable and can meet the energy needs of different regions. Understanding their differences is very important when it comes to choosing the right solar power system.
The heart of a solar power system is its photovoltaic modules. These are composed of photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. They are usually mounted on either a roof or in open areas to maximise their exposure to sunlight.
An inverter converts the DC generated by solar panels into AC power. This type of electricity is commonly used in commercial and residential facilities.
In a nutshell, how solar panels generate electricity
At the end of October 2024, there were 71,459 electric vehicle charging points across the UK, across 36,060 charging locations and 108,633 connectors.April 2023, there was 68,512 EV charging station locations across the country as of April 2023, which is 35% more than in 2022.There are various types of public charging stations that are being established all across the country. Some of these include dedicated hubs that allow multiple cars to charge at the same time, while others are placed in lampposts and in residential areas. These developments are expected to help ease the transition to electric cars for more people.* Charging speedThe latest EVs can be charged up extremely quickly, and the newest 360kW chargers can add up to 100 miles to a car’s range in just five minutes. These chargers are the cream of the crop, so they gain the highest score here, while the slowest chargers – barely any faster than a household three-pin plug – get the lowest score. However, if a network fails to provide the stated charge rate and users end up paying for a very fast charge but don’t receive one, marks should be deducted.* Ease of paymentThe popularity of public charging stations has led to the development of more convenient methods of accessing them. In the past, people had to register using an RFID card to access the facilities. Nowadays, many of them still require users to use an app or an online registration method. The best ones are easy to use and require little effort to register. On the other hand, the worst ones can be very time consuming and frustrating to use.Newer devices allow people to make payments using contactless credit cards or pay by phone. These are the most convenient and can be used without an account being created.* ReliabilityIt’s frustrating to turn up at a charger and find it broken, so maintenance is an important factor. If a network’s chargers are frequently out of order and not fixed quickly, it will lose marks here. A responsive and helpful customer service centre that can be called when assistance is needed will help a provider to redeem itself.* Value for money It’s no surprise that many of the quickest chargers are the priciest to use, but the tariffs shouldn’t be prohibitively high. Those that don’t charge as quickly should be cheaper to use, and the slowest should be the cheapest so they are affordable for overnight charging for those who don’t have access to a home charger.For further advice and guidance in relation to how and where to seek independent unbiased data, and reporting statistic, please email me at jeremy@electrotecpowersolutions.co.uk
#Question
Despite the rapid emergence and evolution of solar photovoltaics, which are now widely expected to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, many scenarios still do not consider the technology's potential to play a significant role in the decarbonisation of the global economy.
Do you agree?
I’d appreciate and value learning your thoughts.
The Global Supply Chains and forced labour organisations have highlighted the vulnerability of the solar PV industry to modern slavery. According to the Global Slavery index, which was released in 2023, over $14 billion of solar PV imports from the G20 countries are at risk of being affected by this type of exploitation. In response, the US has taken various steps to address this issue, such as implementing the Uyghur forced labour prevention act.By 2050, solar PV is predicted to become Europe's primary source of electricity.
Today, investments in solar PV surpass those of oil production. There will also be over $1.7 trillion allocated for clean energy projects.When it comes to solar PV, the small photovoltaic cells are composed of a semiconducting material known as silicon. One of the most important materials used in the production of solar PV is polysilicon, which is a high-purity type of silicon. This material is melted to produce ingots, which are then sliced into wafers and used in the assembly of solar cells. Due to its excellent stability and numerous applications, polysilicon is used in almost all solar PV modules.Over the past decade, China has been able to develop its manufacturing capabilities for solar PV. It has been able to achieve a significant market share in every stage of the production process.China's Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, which is the largest producer of polysilicon in the world, accounts for approximately 35% of the global supply of this material. All of the region's polysilicon plants are powered by coal, which creates a high-carbon polysilicon product. By 2025, China's share of the global market is expected to reach almost 95%. Other regions of the country, which are not affected by the XUAR, are expected to contribute to the polysilicon market's growth.Despite China's dominance in the solar PV manufacturing industry, other countries are starting to develop their manufacturing capabilities.If you are buying solar PV panels, please consider ethic procurement. Here are two businesses, both UK based, supporting the UK economy and operate a strict anti-slavery policy,* UKSOL Ltd - https://www.uksol.uk/ * Anglo Solar - https://www.anglosolar.com/
#ukbudget
Although the UK's first Labour budget in 14 years provides a positive signal on climate action, it falls short of being an "environment-friendly" budget. There is still a lot of work to be done to decarbonize the UK economy and reach net zero by 2030.
The UK's capital budget will be set over five years and will be extended every two-year review. This provides greater clarity and predictability regarding the government's plans. The government also plans to spend over £35 billion on economic infrastructure over the next decade.
The government's commitment to green technology in the next decade is welcome, such as the allocation of £3.9 billion for the development of carbon capture and storage technologies. However, it is still important that the focus is on reducing emissions. In addition, it committed another £2.7 billion to the development of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant.
The National Wealth Fund's high-level ambition is commendable. It aims to generate over £70 billion of investment and achieve returns that are equivalent to gilts.
The Bank of England's decision to reinstate climate as a priority was a positive step. It also confirmed that the UK will proceed with its plans to establish a carbon border adjustment mechanism, which will cover various sectors, beginning in January 2027. This will provide investors with more certainty and encourage low-carbon investments.
How much does it cost to light a Christmas tree?
Tomorrow (November 1st), for the vast majority of people living in the UK, it’ll be time to start thinking about Christmas decorations. Before you start putting up a tree, it's important that you know how much it costs to illuminate it.
Since we're still dealing with cost-of-living issues, it's also important that we adopt energy-efficient measures at home. The new and best Christmas lights are expected to use less energy than their old counterparts.
Whether you prefer an artificial tree or a real one, in this article, I address the costs of lighting up your tree this holiday season. I’ve based my advice on the current energy price cap. Knowing how much you'll have to spend to illuminate your tree will allow you to make informed decisions regarding your finances in the future.
The cost of running Christmas tree lights can vary depending on the type of tree and the energy consumption.
Most people use two sets of 100 Christmas tree lights, which can add up to around 80 to 80 Watts of energy. This figure is based on the assumption that the lights are not LED bulbs. You can determine the specific Wattage of the set by taking the number of each string of lights and multiplying it by 0.001.
If you're planning on keeping your tree lights on for six hours a day, then you'll need a total output of 0.48 kW. After the price cap for electricity was lowered to 27p per kW, you'll be spending around £5.05 for every six hours of Christmas tree lighting.
This is expressed as a function of output of 0.48 kW multiplied by 0.27 for cost and 39 days.
If you're not sure how much you'll have to spend to illuminate your tree, then use an online calculator to get an estimate.
It's important to remember to switch off the Christmas lights before you go to sleep to avoid a triple cost if they're left on for an extended period of time.
I’m aware that many individuals value the practicality of being economical during this holiday season, which is why I’ve come up with a variety of budget-friendly Christmas decorating ideas.
The average cost of running Christmas tree lights is about £5 each day. Less than a glass of mulled wine. This is a small sum that most individuals are willing to pay for the ambiance that a lit tree provides at night. But, there are plenty of ways to lessen this expenditure.
Switch to LED Christmas lights
According to James Longley, the managing director of Utility Bidder, switching to LED lights can help you lower your energy consumption by around 10%.
Amit Juneja, the managing director of The Christmas Workshop, believes that the cost of lighting a Christmas tree can be as low as a penny a week.
Martin Lewis, a finance expert, claims that LED lights are inexpensive to run. He adds that these can help households keep their energy bills under control.
Christmas lights that use LED technology can run for around 0.0002p per hour. That's equivalent to around a penny a week, based on a string of 100 lights.
Since most households have two sets of 100 lights, this would cost around 0.12p an hour to run. That's equivalent to around 5 pence a week, assuming that you keep your lights on for six hours each day.
2. Use battery-powered lights
According to Connor Campbell, a financial expert at NerdWallet, you can opt for battery-powered lights for those who have extra batteries in their cars or in their homes.
Unlike incandescent lights, battery-powered models can last longer and use less electricity. This means you'll be able to save money on batteries as well.
3. Opt for different settings
The cost of outdoor and indoor lights varies depending on the type of product. I suggest using varying settings to save money.
4. Keep usage to a minimum
Another way to save money on Christmas lights is by reducing the amount of electricity that you use.
Our personal traits and the product itself can also help us save money. Most households in the UK add decorative or holiday lights to their homes over the Christmas season. They should be switched off at night or when one is not home.
Whilst the subject of renewable energy is a dry one, for the vast majority it is crucial especially with the, already, astronomical energy costs, continuing to rise, with no signs of stopping or the marketplace levelling out anytime soon. Not to mention the carbon footprint reduction and environmental benefits.
When it comes to buying an inverter, make sure that the company you're purchasing from claims that it will be the same size as your system. This may result in you having an inferior setup that will prevent you from reaping the benefits of solar export tariffs and electricity savings.
Buying second hand panels or cutting corners to save money in the short term is not advisable and inevitably is a false economy, costing you more money in the long run, not to mention time wasted. The same applies to the inverter and battery storage. Unless you have the technical knowledge, fitting solar panels, an inverter, a battery, ensuring all the cabling is correctly fitted and the electrical work is carried out at the highest level, what could be a dream solution when it comes to renewable energy is, in fact, a living nightmare.
DIY jobs, also, will not be eligible for MCS, Part P and IBG certification. So, you'll have the added expense and hassle of bringing in a professional solar energy and electrical contractor to first survey your property, access your work before consideration for such industry regulated approval and certification to be granted.
How solar power works
When solar power is generated, it converts the energy from the sun into electricity.
There are two types of energy that are generated from the sun: heat and electricity.
Various types of solar panels are used to generate both electricity and heat. These can range in size from small residential rooftops to large solar farms.
Solar power is regarded as a promising source of renewable energy.
As long as the sun continues shining, solar power will continue to provide energy.
Since solar panels can last for over 25 years, their carbon footprint is relatively small. In addition, the materials they are made from are recycled, which helps shrink the footprint even further.
How does solar energy produce electricity?
A solar panel is usually made from either silicon or another type of semiconductor material. When exposed to sunlight, this material releases electrons and produces an electric charge.
The electric charge produced by solar panels is captured by the wires. This electric current, which is referred to as DC, is then converted into an AC by an inverter.
What is the difference between a solar thermal panel and a solar photovoltaic panel?
Unlike photovoltaic panels, solar thermal systems use the exact same energy source, namely the sun. Nonetheless, the technology used in these systems is different.
The basic idea behind photovoltaics is that a photon can affect a semi-conductor surface, such as silicon, and generate an electron.
In contrast, solar thermal systems rely on the direct heat produced by sunlight to provide hot water and heating.
Is it possible to produce solar power on a cloudy day?
Producing solar power depends on the level of sunlight that falls on a solar panel. Its output can vary based on factors such as the type of panels used, the quality, and the quantity of sunlight.
The leading producers of solar power globally.
In 2022, not surprisingly, China have become the largest producer of photovoltaic electricity. The US is second, followed by Germany, India, and Japan.
The increasing number of solar power plants has prompted many companies to look into how they can integrate it into their electrical systems.
The governments of the US and the UK are currently working toward decarbonising their electrical systems by 2035. They aim to use renewable energy sources such as solar power to meet their goals.
In May 2023, the UK's first solar farm that was connected to the country’s transmission network was energised. This facility, which was a solar PV array, allows the electricity to be generated and transported over long distances. Before this, solar farms were usually connected to the country’s regional distribution networks.
The facility, which is situated near Bristol, is expected to produce over 73,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually. It will help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20,500 tons each year.
A recent report released by the UK government stated that the country should install 70 gigawatts of solar power by 2035. This would provide enough electricity to power up to 20 million homes.
Today, SHW is pleased to announce that we have joined the United Nations Global Compact and the UN Global Compact Network UK — a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices.Today, SHW is pleased to announce that we have joined the United Nations Global Compact and the UN Global Compact Network UK — a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices.
Join Let's Go! Net Zero at the stunning Aldingbourne Country Centre on 25 June for a celebration of sustainable business and to hear how it’s done.
There'll be a panel of ground-breaking speakers, a delicious, locally-sourced lunch and refreshments, and plenty of opportunity for networking with fellow businesses.
