PV
stands for Photovoltaics; one of the
main methods for capturing the sun's
energy is through the use of photovoltaics.
Photovoltaics (PV) utilize the sun's
photons or light to create electricity.
PV technologies rely on the photoelectric
effect first described by French physicist
Edmund Becquerel in 1839.
The photoelectric effect
occurs when a beam of UV light, composed
of photons (quantized packets of energy),
strike one part of a pair of negatively
charged metal plates. This causes
electrons to be "liberated"
from the negatively charged plate.
These free electrons are then attracted
to the other plate by electrostatic
forces. This flowing of electrons
is an electrical current. This electron
flow can be gathered in the form of
direct current (DC). This DC can then
be inverted into alternating current
(AC), which is the electrical power
that is most commonly used in buildings.
2.
How
long does my PV module last?
PV
modules last a long, long time. In decades-long
tests, the fully developed technology
of single- and polycrystalline modules
has shown to degrade at fairly steady
rates of 0.25%-0.5% per year.
Our solar panels come
with a 25 year power output warranty
(reflecting their manufacturers' faith
in the durability of these products)
and are expected to last at least
twice that long. The power output
warranty on the solar panels is provided
by the manufacturer of the panels
and states that at the end of the
20th year, the solar panel will still
produce a minimum of 80% of their
original power output. However, keep
in mind that PV modules are seeing
only six to eight hours of active
use per day, so we may find that life
spans of 40-50 years are normal.
3.
What
about warranty information on the system?
Solar panels
have a 25-year manufacturer's warranty,
and inverters have a 10-year warranty.
Performance efficiency for panels, after
25-years, is warranted to be at least
80% of the initial output. Batteries
generally last 7-10 years if properly
maintained. GreenBrilliance provides
a 5-year guarantee on all installations.
This includes annual inspections of
your system(s) at no additional cost
to you.
4.
How
strong are my panels?
The panels
are UL certified and tested to withstand hai, hurricane force winds, and rainstorms. Falling stone, tree or hail do not damage the panels in most cases.
5.
What
is the maintenance on my PV panels?
It's almost
laughable how easy maintenance is for
PV modules. Because they have no moving
parts, they are virtually maintenance
free. Basically, you need to keep them clean.
Most of the time, rain cleans them off. If it rains irregularly or if the birds
leave their calling cards, hose the
modules down. Do not hose them off when
they're hot, since uneven thermal shock
could theoretically break the glass.
Wash them in the morning or evening.
For PV maintenance, that's it.
6.
Does
my solar installation increase my home
insurance?
a. All installation (roofing and electrical)
work will be done by licensed professionals
with proper county and state approvals.
b. Equipment will carry UL certifications,
where applicable.
All this does not add any risk to
your home and thus home insurance
in most of the cases does not get
affected at all, although the system
does contribute to an increase the home/property value.
7.
How
will it affect the value of my house?
According
to a study by ICF Consulting, solar
can add $20 of home value for every
$1 of yearly energy cost savings. For
more information about how solar can
increase your home's value, visit http://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/binaries/wfnews.pdf.
8.
If
I move, can I take my solar electric
system?
Although
you can take your solar electric system
with you if you move, it usually is
better to leave it on the original house
because it increases the resale value
of a home.
9.
How
do I know if my system is producing
what it is supposed to?
GreenBrilliance
is one of the few companies that really
makes it easy to monitor your system
performance. When estimating what your
system will produce we are conservative
in our approach and use 20-year historical
sun data from NREL (National Renewable
Energy Laboratory). Your inverter has
an LCD display that will provide you
with a readout as to how your system
is producing, which makes it simple
to see your actual production.
We can also install a web-based tool
that can be used to monitor the system
real time. We will also provide you
with a production estimate for your
system and we encourage you to match
what we estimate your system will
produce versus the actual consumption.
10.
What
is net-metering?
Net-metering
measures the difference between the
electricity you buy from your utility
and the electricity you produce with
your solar energy system. Under net-metering,
any excess electricity produced by your
solar energy system spins your existing
meter backwards, effectively storing
the electricity until it is needed.
Your meter than spins forward when your
solar energy system is not producing
all the electricity you are currently
using. Your electric meter keeps track
of this "net" difference as
you generate electricity and take electricity
from the utility grid.
11.
Why
is net-metering important?
Because
solar energy is an intermittent resource
you may not be using the power when
it is generated, and net-metering allows
you to receive full value for the electricity
you produce without installing and investing
in a battery storage system.
12.
How
will the weather affect my solar electric
system?
Solar electric
systems are designed to withstand all
weather conditions. Lightning, wind
up to 80 miles per hour, and extreme
temperatures are all things your solar
system can handle. However, these conditions
will temporarily reduce its energy production.
13.
What's
the effect of rain and fog?
In fog,
marine layer, or June gloom your system
will still produce about 25-30% of normal.
A steady rain cuts production but is
great for cleaning your panels.
14.
Is
snow covering the panels going to reduce
production?
You are
absolutely right that during the time
immediately following a snowstorm when
the panels are covered the system production
will be minimal. However, we place solar
systems in the exact spot where sunshine
is greatest. The first area to melt
will be where the solar panels are located.
Plus, the panels are tilted with a surface
made of tempered glass allowing snow
to easily slide off.
15.
How
long has PV been around?
The photovoltaic
effect was first recognized by Edmund
Bacquerel, in France, in 1839. Scientists
made solar cells of selenium in the
1880s. And, modern PV technologies were
developed at Bell Labs and RCA Labs
in the mid 1950s.
16.
How
does it store electricity so I can use
it after the sun goes down?
The most
basic solenergy ar system
is what is known as a "Grid-Tie
Only" system. There are no batteries.
Excess electricity produced by the solar
panels, will be directed back to the
local utility grid, spinning your existing
meter backwards in the process. You
will receive credit for any power that
you "sell" to the utility
company. This is what is known as Net
Metering.
17.
What
can I do to keep power during a blackout?
If you are
interested in a solar system that will
continue to power your home during a
blackout, we do sell battery-backed
solar systems.
18.
If
I install a grid-tied system now, can
I put battery-backed system onto it
later?
Yes, both off-grid
and grid-tied systems use the same
solar panels. However, to add batteries to a grid-tied system, you will need to replace the inverter with a special hybrid device.
19.
How
do I determine what size of system I
need?
For starters,
any size solar system will make in impact
on your yearly power consumption. The
bigger the system, the bigger the impact.
To figure out how much of an impact,
find the total number of kilowatt-hours
you used in the last 12 months. If an
entire year's worth of bills are not
available, annualize your average daily
consumption. We have found the average
home in the mid-Atlantic area to use about 9,600
KW hours a year. A 1-KW solar system,
will generate up to 2,000 KW-hours in a year. Therefore, 1 KW will could
provide over 20% of an average household's
yearly power consumption.
20.
What
happens when I need to re-roof?
In most
situations, the PV panels can be easily
removed and reinstalled. If the roof is
a tar and gravel design, it may be possible
to simply tilt the panels up and re-tar
and gravel.
21.
What
are the markets for PV?
The largest
market for PV today is in developing
countries, in village power and remote
communications systems (estimates indicate
that more than 2 billion people world
wide have no access to conventional
electric power; if they have electricity,
they use batteries or diesel generators).
There are projections of large markets
for utility grid support and for building-integrated
PV systems in developed countries.
22.
Does
my solar system produce electricity
on a cloudy day?
Yes, a solar
panel does produce electricity even
when it is not placed in bright sunlight.
On a normal cloudy day there is always
enough solar irradiance, by which
the panel will produce electricity.
However, the production of electricity
is not as high as when the panels are
placed in bright sunlight. So even on
a cloudy day your panel will produce
electricity.
23.
Why
GreenBrilliance?
GreenBrilliance
is a systems integrator in solar photovoltaic
energy systems with the goal to provide
clean, renewable solar energy at an
affordable price. As a solar energy
services company, we: 1. Manufacture photovoltaic (PV) solar
modules: GreenBrilliance has invested over $5MN
to build up its own state of the art
PV modules manufacturing facility in
India. Our modules are undergoing UL/IEC
certification and will be available
in the U.S. from October 2008. 2. Distribute photovoltaic modules: GreenBrilliance has set up worldwide
distribution centers in France, India,
Africa and USA. We have formed strategic
alliances with partners in global locations
for module and equipment supply and
sales. 3. Install and service photovoltaic
solar power systems: GreenBrilliance is building its installation,
integration and services business in
the mid-Atlantic region of USA, serving
Virginia, Maryland, and the District
of Columbia. We help residential and
commercial customers understand solar,
apply for incentives, obtain permits,
and get net-metering for their systems.
Our service crews are licensed and highly
experienced in their respective trades.
