Photovoltaic Products
Applications
- Grid-Connected Systems
- Residential Solar Power Systems
- Public and Industrial Solar Power Systems
- Stand-Alone Solar Power Systems for:
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- Warranty: 25 years limited warranty on power output.
Photovoltaic Modules
PV Panels are the main component in most off-gird or grid connected systems. There are three types of PV modules. The older and most common are Mono and Poly Crystalline. The latest addition is Amorphous silicon also know as thin film PV modules.
Mono and Poly Crystalline
Silicon is used as the main ingredient in PV module manufacturing. Silicon is in abundance on earth in the form of sand. The main ingredient in high-value solar-grade silicon is silane. The melting of silicon takes place at more than 1400°C to form poly-crystalline blocks. These blocks are cut into thin slices called wafers. Phosphorus diffusion creates the positive negative junction of the cells. Wafers are then coated with a blue anti-reflective layer and screen printed for conduction to form a solar cell. These cells are soldered together and create a solar module.
Mono and Poly Crystalline have been proven as a relaible source of energy and are used in many different applications occross the world.
Thin Film
Thin film modules also use silicon, but insead of creating wafers, a thin sheet of silicon is laminated between glass. The process is not as costly as wafer production and therefore the end result is less expensive.
Thin film modules have not been in use as long as crystalline cells but show promising results in aging laboratories. Thin film modules do perform better in hotter climates like africa than crystalline modules and are not as badly effected by shading of a single cell "hot spot effect" as in the case of crystalline cells. The downside to amorphous silicon is that it is not as efficient as the older crystalline techonolgy and therfor require a bigger surface area for similar energy genration.
DC Battery
Batteries are the reservoir in a solar electric system. The right choice of batteries ensures proper performance and maximized battery life. Solar batteries offer longer life and better protection from abuse than low cost automotive batteries. If you have a large system and want years of worry-free performance, use deep cycle batteries - they offer high capacity and an excellent cycle life.
Cycle Life vs Depth of Discharge- 15% DOD 2200 cycles
- 25% DOD 1700 cycles
- 50% DOD 900 cycles
- 80% DOD 600 cycles
- Battery cables and harnesses.
- Battery boxes.
- Other models available.
Inverters
Inverters convert DC battery power to standard AC power. They allow you to run regular AC appliances, including TVs, computers, microwaves and power tools. With an inverter your AC loads run off your batteries and they can be used any time of day or night - without a generator - and during a utility power failure.
Selecting the right inverter
When selecting an inverter, choose a size that can power the appliances you plan to use. Typical sizes installed in homes are 1000 to 2500 watts. Larger inverters from 4 kW to 11 kW are used in large power systems, such as lodges, and industrial applications.
Inverters used for Homes
Most home power systems in South Africa and neighboring countries are wired for 220-240V and an inverter is installed to feed these circuits. An inverter not only lets you use standard appliances and tools but conventional wiring as well. In larger remote residences, particularly those using auxiliary generators, inverters can reduce the costs of power generation by up to 90%. Most inverters include a stand-by battery charger, so that when the generator is on, the batteries are automatically recharged. Once the generator is turned off, the inverter system powers the same AC circuits. Not only do you have sufficient power available 24 hours a day, but also in most cases the fuel savings alone can pay for the complete cost of the inverter system in less than a year.
SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLERS
A charge controller or regulator prevents overcharging by limiting the excess current flowing into the batteries. The key to extending battery life in a solar system is to protect batteries from a complete discharge / overcharge. A charge controller is a power system component whose functions include regulation of solar charge current and in some cases to provide low battery protection.
If you are interested in our photovoltaic products listed above , contact us on 0860 SOLSQUARE (765 7782)