How it works | System Components

Solar Panels

What are they?
A solar panel or Photovoltaic Module is a devise that converts sunlight into electricity. In Greek, photo means light and voltaic means to generate electricity. A standard module is usually made up of a series of silicon wafers wired together to achieve different voltages.

How will they be installed?
The modules will be wired together in an array that is mounted on a frame or racking system. This is usually installed on a north facing roof, but can be placed on top of a pole or secured in a ground mount depending on shade and your specific site conditions. They will produce electricity for your home when in full sun.To maintain full-power, they may need to be cleaned intermittently through-out the year depending on dust or smog conditions.

How long do they last?
PV modules are incredibly durable! Even though their manufacturing is highly complicated, once installed there are no moving parts and they can continue to function for decades. Most of the modules that we sell carry at least a 25 year warranty!

More info...
The silicon wafers used in a photovoltaic (PV) module can come in different forms using different technologies. The solar industry today uses three typical silicon technologies: single-crystalline (or mono-crystalline), poly-crystalline and 'thin-film'. In essence these all perform the same function, but how they are made differs, as well as their relative efficiency. Single-crystalline modules are usually the most efficient — which just means that they will produce more power from the same size wafer as the other technologies.

We generally sell premium quality single-crystalline modules with our systems.

Although its usually the least efficient, thin-film technology has a benefit of being able to produce more power under cloudy or partly shaded conditions as well as at higher temperatures.