How It Works

Basic Explanation Of Generating Electricity In A Grid-Tied Solar Electric System

• Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting materials, such as silicon.
• Electrons (negatively charged) are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to produce electricity. The complementary positive charges that are also created (like bubbles) are called holes and flow in the direction opposite of the electrons in a silicon solar panel.
• An array of solar panels converts solar energy into a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity.
• The DC current enters an inverter.
• The inverter turns DC electricity into 120 or 240-volt AC (alternating current) electricity needed for home appliances.
• The AC power enters the utility panel in the house.
• The electricity is then distributed to appliances or lights in the house.
• The electricity that is not used will be recycled and reused in other facilities.
Solar cells are often electrically connected and encapsulated as a module. PV modules often have a sheet of glass on the front (sun up) side , allowing light to pass while protecting the semiconductor wafers from the elements (rain, hail, etc.). Solar modules can be connected in series, creating an additive voltage, or in parallel, yielding a higher current, or amperage. Modules are then interconnected, in series or parallel, or both, to create an array with the desired peak DC voltage and current.

Grid-Tied Solar Electric With Battery Backup

If you would like to have power in your home even when power from the utility is down, adding batteries to a grid-tied solar electric system can provide hours of electricity to crucial lighting, appliances and comfort systems in the event of a blackout. Grid-tied solar electric systems with battery backup work very similar to a grid-tied solar electric system with the addition of a few other components necessary to keep the batteries charged for use when power from the grid is interrupted. Additional components in a grid-tied solar electric system with battery backup will generally include:
• Charge controller - an electronic device which protects batteries in the system from being overly charged or overly discharged.
• Battery bank - stores energy to be used by the home when power from the grid is down.
• Backed-up AC service panel a sub-panel in which all loads chosen to operate in the event of a power outage will receive power from the batteries.
How A Battery Backup System Provides Power To Your Home In A Power Outage
• Electricity generated from the solar modules is converted into a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity.
• The DC current enters the charge controller, which senses battery voltage and regulates battery charging.
• The electricity is used to keep the batteries fully charged to provide power in the event of a power outage.
• The remaining electricity is transferred to an inverter, which turns DC electricity into 120 or 240-volt AC (alternating current) electricity needed for home appliances.
• The AC power enters the utility panel in the house.
• In the event of a blackout or power loss, the system begins to draw power from the backup batteries and converts it into electricity. A backed-up AC service panel feeds power to crucial lighting, appliances and comfort systems.

Safety

All of the hardware we stock, use in our designs, and sell comes from trusted manufacturers and has been tested for safety in all operating conditions. All of our hardware complies with the following codes:
• 2005 National Electric Code (NEC-2005)
• IEEE Stc 929-2000-Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Recommended Practices for Utility Interface of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
• UL 1741- Underwriters Laboratories Standard for Safety
• ICBO 2000 - International Building Code

Incentives

Many public utilities throughout the United States have Renewable Energy Incentives or Green Programs that offer rebates for residential and commercial renewable energy systems. Grid Feeders works with power utilities within Colorado to help our local customers understand what the rebates entail and to help them get their rebates as quickly as possible.

Colorado Utility Rebates:

Holy Cross Energy: Holy Cross pays $2.00 per watt of installed capacity for renewable electricity generation using wind, hydroelectric, photovoltaic, biomass or geothermal technology up to 10 kilowatts per installation. The total rebate will not exceed 50% of actual installed cost. Holy Cross will also negotiate a power purchase contract for customers installing renewable energy generation facilities within the Holy Cross service territory. Such an arrangement would allow the sale of generated killowatt-hours to Holy Cross Energy. XCEL Energy (Colorado): XCEL Energy currently offers $2.00 per DC watt installed capacity for Photovoltaic (PV) energy generation. Also offered is a $2.50 per DC watt cash rebate as a one-time purchase of the Renewable Energy Credits. The two offers can combine for up to $4.50 per watt of an installed PV system.

Federal Incentives and Rebates:

The United States Government has numerous incentives for renewable energy systems, usually in the form of a tax credit. Incentives vary from state to state. In Colorado, the federal government will provide a tax credit to the homeowner of an amount up to 30% of the installed system cost up to $2,000. The United States Government has numerous incentives for renewable energy systems, usually in the form of a tax credit. Incentives vary from state to state. In Colorado, the federal government will provide a tax credit to the homeowner of an amount up to 30% of the installed system cost up to $2,000. For more information concerning public utility and Federal tax credits, contact Grid Feeders: info@gridfeeders.com