The Nuts and Bolts of Solar

As of December 2022, more than 3.36 million Australians have solar installed on their roofs This is huge social proof that solar works But, you still need to understand the concept behind solar, and how it’s going to reduce the cost of your electricity bills. For better understanding, let’s take a dive into the equipment and how they all work together to power your home

Basic Components Of Solar

1.Panels

You may know this already, but the big black rectangles that go on your roof are responsible for capturing the suns photons (energy carrying light particles) to produce electricity. This process is called Photovoltaics (or PV).

Did you know the power that comes directly from the panels isn’t quite ready to be used in the home?

Here is a list of the components that make up your solar panel and a little diagram to help you out.

1 Solar photovoltaic cells

2. Toughened Glass - 3 to 3.5mm thick

3 Extruded Aluminium frame

4 Encapsulation - EVA film layers

5. Polymer rear back-sheet

6 Junction box - diodes and connectors

To save you a long-winded spiel… All top-tier panels are very similar these days, so provided you work with a reputable installer, this is something you don’t need to worry about too much A quick tip for easy comparison is to look at the duration of the warranties, the type of materials, and how long the manufacturer has been operating

Keep an eye out for these terms: Mono-crystalline and Poly-crystalline. They refer to the different methods used when forming the silicone to make the Solar Cells in your panels These differences greatly vary the performance and life-span of your panels You want to ensure the panels you get are MONO-crystalline, as they are the best options for longevity and peakperformance