Solar Panel Solutions

What is a Solar Panel?

How old is SOLAR Power? Hmmmm……let’s think a bit here. It has been around for millions of years – ever heard of PHOTOSYNTHESIS? Just about every living thing on our wonderful planet requires solar energy/power/light in order to grow and flourish.

This is a loose term for a PV (photovoltaic) module.

Let’s define Photo Voltaic: Photo- light dependent medium and Voltaic- Electricity-producing action. Therefore, PHOTOVOLTAIC means light reactive electricity production.

How so? Well, there is this magical stuff called silicon, and its heated to unbelievable temperatures till it crystallizes. Then it’s sliced to wafer thin thickness pieces, and these pieces are placed together in a special layout, and land up getting connected to two terminations – one positive and the other is a negative polarity. This crystal cluster is called a polycrystalline cell. If it is exposed to sunlight, this cell will produce volts and a few amps; so small that the amps are referred to as milli-amps.

A great number of cells are combined in a collective matrix in a series (in line with each other- their voltage increases) and parallel (next to each other – their amps increase) configuration exactly like you would connect batteries to increase their volt and amp capacities. But size is at a premium on a roof, so the power of each panel is therefore limited to its overall size. The size of a solar panel is defined in watts. Watts is a product of VOLTS X AMPS. Example: If the panel produces 28 VOLTS and 8.9 AMPS, it is referred to a 250 WATT panel (the sum of 28 x 8.9 = 249.2 watts).

The reason for the differing wattage sizes is to match the exact wattages required by solar-powered equipment as closely as possible. Also, some applications are space limited thus smaller panels may fit better than a few larger panels.

Solar panels have a long lifespan, guarantees are around the ten-year mark, and should still be 80% efficient at 25 years. Some, such as ours at 29 years.

Pros of Solar Panels

Solar panels harvest the sun's energy and produces power
A collection of these can generate really useful amounts of power capable of sustaining life, industry, and homes
They are silent – absolutely noiseless
The energy they produce is absolutely pure carbon-free and environmentally clean
It’s also free at present, although some government or other (we can think of possible culprits) is likely to charge us “sunlight taxes” in their constant thirst for raiding hard working and environmentally responsible citizens of their well-deserved savings

Cons of Solar Panels

Hmmm… well now, apart from dropping costs, there are none really- unless you never see the sun. Or you are possibly an earthworm ;-) Seriously, there are so few cons that this option of energy is extremely attractive
The panels are flat but large and need space
They need sunlight
They do not like to be covered in snow or thick dust

Our Solar Panel options

Cheric Energy steers clear of Chinese units, as quality control is an issue we have dealt with in the past, with no recourse. Cheric Energy uses panels manufactured entirely in India, where each individual panel comes with a testing certificate and is guaranteed for quality for 10 years and 90% energy efficiency in 25 years. They meet (and exceed) IEE regulatory specs and the same with EU standards. They are hail and storm resistant and are encapsulated with a very effective water ingression resistant film which does not yellow with time, thereby reducing efficiency.