Federal Program Encouraged Adoption Of Solar Electric New Orleans
Posted by: Beverley Bryan / Category: Solar EnergyIn 2007 New Orleans was named as a Solar Energy City by the United States Department of Energy. This was part of a program to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources throughout the nation. Various initiatives were included in the solar electric New Orleans program, such as education for the public on the affordability and benefits of solar power, and training for developers and installers on the technology.
Residents may visit the city’s solar energy website, or contact the Alliance for Affordable Energy by phone, if they wish to learn how this form of renewable power generation can meet a large proportion of their energy needs. The website also offers a site analysis or calculator tool to help residents determine if their home is suitable.
A typical residential grid connected PV system contains several elements: solar panels, an inverter, a meter, and a connection to the local electric utility service. The energy is produced by the panels. These contain thousands of individual photovoltaic cells, which are usually made of silicon.
Each photovoltaic (PV) cell produces a tiny amount of electric voltage and current when light falls on it. Thousands are connected together in panels, which both hold them in place, and protect them from the wind and rain. Each panel will produce a certain amount of electric power, and the contractor will be able to calculate how many are needed to meet a home’s energy needs.
Ideally panels will face towards the south, and will be inclined so that they face the sun directly at midday. This ideal installation is not possible at all locations, so the contractor may have to make some adjustments, possibly fitting some extra panels.
Panels produce direct current electricity (DC), while homes require alternating current (AC). A unit called an inverter is fitted to provide the conversion to AC. Contractors will provide a suitably rated unit to handle the maximum power output of the installation.
The inverter provides the correct type of electricity for the home, but it is obvious that the solar panels cannot work at night time. The residential system therefore stays connected to the electricity utility service via a special two-way meter. At night-time energy will flow into the home, and during daytime energy can flow either in or out of the home, depending on whether the home’s demand for electricity exceeds the amount generated by the PV panels.
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