The panel is not going to to turn off at the 25 year mark. Many factors affect solar panel longevity. Many of the early solar panels made back in the 1970s are still running at 80% of their original power capacity. After 40 years, they are producing power well past their predicted useful life, these old panels are still operating efficiently.

The regular warranty for most photovoltaic solar panels is 25 -30 years. Here is how the manufacturers come up with this number: They calculate a loss of efficiency of .8% for every year. At this rate of degradation, after 25 years, the panels will be operating at 80% of their original efficiency. Solar panels should meet a minimum 80% efficiency standard, in order to be effective. Therefore 25 years is the time predicted for these panels to degrade below an 80% efficiency rate.

The Good News, there are crystalline panels that have been running for over 40 years.

What can you do to increase your solar panel longevity?

Solar panels don’t require heavy maintenance. Here are some simple steps you can take to keep them functioning at full capacity for a longer period of time than usual.

• Pick a manufacturer with a good reputation. For the most part, solar panels are encapsulated in low iron tempered glass and unaffected by the environment. The semiconductor material is isolated from the corrosive atmosphere. If a manufacturer uses sub-standard materials to encapsulate the metal and conductive materials, the panel will degrade.

• Make sure they have full access to light. Remove any tree limbs or other plant growth that block sunlight. Any shade will have a negative impact on a solar panel’s efficiency – but not just because of blocked photons. The shaded area will be a high-resistance“hotspot”, even, to some degree, with diodes installed. These hotspots can accelerate degradation of the module over time and lead to premature failure.

• Be sure to keep your solar panels clean. This is doubly true in areas with lots of wind. Keep your panels free of dust, dirt, sand and pollen. In more polluted cities, don’t let smog settle on the panels. In winter, keep snow and frost off the panels when possible.

At Sun City Solar, we find you the “Best Panel at the Best Price”. Give us a call.

The post Solar Panel Longevity appeared first on Sun City Solar Energy -Solar Power and Solar Panels.

Would you like to have a credit on your electric bill instead of a balance due? Solar power is now more affordable than ever and  provides relief from the high summer electric bills we are all used to paying no matter how much they are.  Why continue to send  checks to your electric company when today you have a cost effective alternative. Plus, you have a home improvement which adds to your appraisal  and your home is more marketable with low or zero bills. Here is what our customer just wrote us; This could be you!

Tuesday, April 09, 2013 8:50 AM
Subject: My First $0 Empire Electric Bill

Sun City Solar,

Just a brief note to let you know I received my Empire Electric Bill for
March. It was $0 with -271 credits! Sure we have natural gas central heating
so that helps, but I have been monitoring our electric use and knew it was
likely to be very good, but this just confirms it.

Two weeks ago Empire sent an employee out to read our meters and look
everything over. My wife Debra spoke with him and he said they just wanted
to check the accuracy of the new meters and he then left.

A zero Electric bill is quite a rush. I know soon with air conditioning
season approaching things will be different, but still…

Again thanks to you and your crew and I look forward to having fun
monitoring my Sun City Solar Energy installed system.

Doug

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Remember when we relied on Mainframe computers with outlying workstations?  A computer could not process information on its own.  Today, we rely on small portable laptops, I-phones, I-pads and other electronic devices for information, giving us independence and mobility.

Just as smaller sized computers enable independence, the same is now true for electricity.

Distributed energy refers to small modular power generating systems. Power is “distributed” and

Solar Power Battery System

“decentralized” because it is placed at or near the point of energy consumption.  Distributed energy is unlike traditional “centralized” power systems where electricity is generated at a remote large scale power plant and then transmitted through power lines to consumers.

Most of us have experienced power outages and know the unreliability of our current “centralized/transmitted power structure. With distributed energy, the quality and reliability of our electric supply is improved.  Homeowners and businesses can implement distributed energy simply by installing a small solar powered on-site battery system.  Solar Power battery systems provide both emergency backup and remote power.

Generators are the most common distributed energy technology in use today for stand-by power. However, generators create significant pollution and noise. Those who used generators during the recent power outages can attest that generators all also very expensive to operate.

There are many benefits to distributed decentralized energy including having a very important role in our nation’s energy portfolio and strengthening America’s energy security.

Grid-connected distributed solar power can and is being used to meet the peak demands of current “centralized” power systems.  These systems can be used to meet traditional base load power and peak demand power in hot summer months. Grid-connected solar adds greater stability to the electric grid, decreases transmission and distribution maintenance costs and reduces the need to construct more nuclear, gas or coal fired power plants.

Solar power can provide power when and where it is needed. Distributed solar power systems are modular and flexible. Solar Power is quiet and non- polluting. Now more than ever, Americans have a choice on where their power comes from; a choice to be independent and have a reliable clean quiet source of power at their location.  Every day, one customer at a time, Sun City Solar Energy empowers Americans a little closer to decentralized energy independence.

The post The Power of Distributed Solar appeared first on Sun City Solar Energy -Solar Power and Solar Panels.

It was really fun to have you, Garrett, Steve, and Pete here on our property in the mountains. You all have a work ethic that is hard to beat.

We truly are on cloud nine with our solar setup. It feels so good to be able to be comfortable, play music, have lights on when we want and need them- and to know that it all comes from the sun!

We are thankful to have made some new friends and be a part of the Sun City Solar family. We would love to be a part of your reference network to let others know about our great experience with Sun City Solar.

Sincerely,
Lucie Forbes
Rod Nyberg
Eureka Springs, AR
Off Grid Solar Power System
July 28, 2012

The post Solar Power Testimonial-Making Dreams a Reality appeared first on Sun City Solar Energy -Solar Power and Solar Panels.

STC in an acronym for “Factory Standard Test Conditions,” which is 1,000 watts per square meter solar irradiance, 1.5 Air Mass and 77 degrees Fahrenheit cell temperature. PTC is an acronym for “Photo Voltaic USA Test Conditions,” which were developed at the PV USA test site at the University of California Davis. The PTC rating represents a more real life condition of 1,000 watts per square meter solar irradiance, 1.5 Air Mass, 68 degrees Fahrenheit ambient temperature at 33 feet above ground level and wind speed of 1 meter per second.

The ambient temperature rating is a better standard than factory conditions because silicon solar cells average about 68 degrees above ambient temperature in the real world.  Cell voltage drops as temperature increases. A module’s power output in real life conditions is lower than the power measured at the factory where cell temperature is maintained at a controlled 77 degrees.

Cell voltage drops about 0.08 volts per degree Centigrade in environments that exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, an STC rating of 17 volts can actually become a PTC rating of 15 or 16 volts. Using Ohm’s Law, volts times amps is equal to watts, which equals power, so a reduced voltage means reduced watts.

 Solar Module Compass Direction

The amount of sun shining on the module will be determined based on the direction the system is facing. As the sun moves across the sky throughout the day, from the East in the morning to the West in the afternoon, the compass direction (orientation to the South, Southwest, East, etc.) of the module affects the cumulative energy output.

For this reason, maximum efficiency is gained when panels are installed facing south.  If the module is facing East or West, it will be exposed to less direct sunlight as the sun moves across the sky. There is no loss factor for south facing modules. For example, a southwest-facing module estimated energy output would be reduced by approximately 3%.

Below are several solar panel ratings that you should understand so you know what you are getting when you invest in a solar power system. Understanding and inquiring about solar panel ratings will ensure that you get the most out of your solar system.

Increasing Module Temperature Decreases Power (Temperature Factor)

Module operating temperature increases when placed in the sun. As the operating temperature increases, the power output decreases due to the properties of the conversion material.  Reduction of power output is true for all solar modules. The PV USA Test Condition (PTC) ratings take power reduction into consideration to a limited degree by calculating the PTC ratings based primarily on the specific module temperature characteristics. The PTC ratings are different for each module, and typically vary from approximately 87%-92% of the STC rating. A typical decrease in power output is approximately 12% for crystalline-based solar modules.  This decrease results in an STC rated 100 Watt DC solar module being PTC rated at approximately 88 Watts DC.

Minimum Warranted Power

 Minimum Warranted Power is a manufacturer rating. Essentially, manufacturers will guarantee that their panel’s actual power rating will not be less than a specified amount coming out of the box. This may have several names including peak tolerance rating, minimum warranted power, and negative tolerance rating. Regardless of the name, this means that a 200-Watt solar panel, with a negative tolerance rating of 10% (or a minimum power rating of 90%) is only warranted for 180 Watts out of the box.

Remember to look for the highest minimum warranted power rating and/or the lowest negative tolerance rating. Both are saying the same thing with different numbers.

STC vs. PTC Rating

 California and many other states require solar panel manufacturers to submit operating specifications for their products. These products are then further tested by an independent laboratory. In California, the agency approved to do this is PV USA. The results of PV USA tests are referred to as a panel’s PTC rating (PV USA Test Conditions). Therefore every panel will have both an STC rating (standard test conditions) and PTC rating. The PTC rating involves more extreme, real world test conditions, so you’ll find it to be lower than the STC rating and more accurate of how a solar panel will hold up. So the higher PTC rating, the better the panel.

Also, the state uses the PTC rating to calculate system rebates (i.e., expected performance). So if the STC rating for a panel is 175 Watts, and the PTC rating is only 160 Watts, the PTC rating of 160 will be the benchmark for your cash rebates — an important tip when figuring expenses and payback period for your solar system.

Efficiency Ratings

 This is the rating we’re all familiar with and the one that gets so much attention these days as solar panel developers and researchers struggle to create the highest efficiency solar panels. Efficiency rating is vital because the higher the efficiency, the more power you’ll get per square inch of panel surface. In other words, the higher the rating the less area you’ll have to use to achieve the same amount of power production. Be sure to review the factory printed specification sheet that lists solar module efficiency (not simply solar cell efficiency), along with the PTC and STC ratings described above.

At Sun City Solar Energy, we constantly research the solar panel market to offer our customers the highest producing modules available.  You can be assured that our products meet or exceed your expectations.

The post Understanding Solar Panel Power Ratings appeared first on Sun City Solar Energy -Solar Power and Solar Panels.

This solar system runs the Ranch home as well as a 1,200 square foot underground shelter with kitchen, bathroom and more.

Solar panels are installed on the barn and the home with 11.5 KWh of power, six charge controllers,  four inverters and 36 AGM Rolls batteries.

In addition to this system, this Sun City Solar Energy repeat customer has installed solar on two other homes.  Both homes boast Grid-Tie with Battery- backup and PV Powered Solar Hot Water.

PV Powered Solar Hot Water will be installed on this Ranch as well.

When you are ready to be energy independent, give Sun City Solar a call and never have an electric bill again!

The post Solar Grid Tie Battery Backup Converted to Off Grid appeared first on Sun City Solar Energy -Solar Power and Solar Panels.

SolarEdge optimizes every link in the solar power chain. The result: production of up to 25% more  grid-ready energy for faster return on your Solar Power investment. SolarEdge benefits include:

Sun City SolarEdge installation

 Maximum Power Harvesting (up to 25% More Power)

• No partial shading sensitivity-the best for East or West facing installations
• No module mismatch losses
• No undervoltage losses
• Improved MPP tracking performance

Simple, Plug and Play, Error-Free System Design & Installation

• Removes traditional design constraints with SolarEdge flexible architecture
• Simplifies installation by connecting different length strings to single-string inverter
• Allows for multi-facet installation with single-string inverter
• Scalable installation for future needs

Module-level Monitoring & Troubleshooting

• Real time monitoring revolutionizes installation feedback and troubleshooting
• In-module monitoring system continuously tracks module power and status
• Communication over the existing power lines, without additional wires
• Data analysis software automatically detects and locates faults

Installer & Firefighter Safety

• Electrocution risk eliminated due to low module voltage during installation
• Maximizes PV system safety by enabling module shutdown during service
• Protects firefighters by automatic module shutdown
• Designed to withstand extreme outdoor conditions
• Extraordinary reliability: 25 year warranty for power optimizers, 12 years standard warranty forsolar inverter

 Constraint Free Design

• Modules on different orientation and tilts in the same string
• Different modules types in a single string
• Strings of different lengths connected to same inverter
• longer strings-up to 50 modules per string

SolarEdge presents a unique, patent-pending solar power  system, comprised of the following products:

SolarEdge Power Optimizer

The SolarEdge power optimizer is integrated into each module, replacing the traditional solar junction box. The power optimizer maximizes energy output from each and every module through constant tracking of Maximum Power Point individually per module. Further, the power optimizers automatically maintain a fixed string voltage, allowing optimal efficiency of the SolarEdge inverter and giving installers greater flexibility to design optimal PV systems.
The power optimizer also communicates module performance to enable module-level monitoring.

 SolarEdge PV Inverter

The SolarEdge Inverter is a highly reliable  inverter. Because MPPT and voltage management are handled separately for each module by the power optimizer, the inverter is only responsible for DC to AC inversion. Consequently, it is a less complicated, more reliable solar inverter. The fixed string voltage ensures operation at the highest efficiency at all times, 98%, independent of string length and temperature.

 Module Level Monitoring-prevents theft

SolarEdge Module Monitoring is a web-based application that provides  performance monitoring, fault detection and troubleshooting at module-level, string-level and system-level. No hardware or wiring is required: the monitoring sensors and transmitters are built into the SolarEdge power optimizer and solar inverter, and measurement data is transmitted over regular power lines.

To learn more about this technology and get a quote call your local Sun City solar office.

The post Groundbreaking Solar Power appeared first on Sun City Solar Energy -Solar Power and Solar Panels.

An inverter is a critical component in a solar power system. The inverters function is to convert  the direct current (DC) of the solar panels into alternating current (AC) that can be fed into the electrical grid or used directly by standard electrical devices. In solar power installations, a number of solar modules are wired in series, creating a solar array or string.  Multiple strings are then connected in parallel to a central inverter that feeds the grid.

In contrast, a solar microinverter is a small device installed on the back of each solar panel that converts DC from a single solar panel to AC. The electric power from multiple microinverters is then combined and fed into the grid. The two approaches each have distinct advantages and disadvantages which varies  for different kinds of installations.

String Inverters

Inverters are a major part of the cost of a solar power installation. Central string inverters offer substantial economies of scale in large systems, particularly those in excess of 100 kW in size. For utility-scale PV systems, total costs including operating and maintenance costs are major and  therefore, large central inverters are dominant in that market.

The main shortcoming of the central inverter is that when solar panels are strung together in a  string, the panels performance is limited by the worst of the individual panels within it. If a single panel is shaded, its output drops dramatically, thus affecting the output of the entire string of panels even if the other panels are not shaded. In addition, inverters use a technique known as maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to optimize solar power output by adjusting applied loads. Once again, variations in an individual panel in a string will cause the inverter to change the MPPT settings, thereby deviating from optimal performance.

Microinverters

Microinverters have several advantages over conventional central inverters. The main advantage is that since each panel has its own inverter, reducing or even losing the output from a single panel does not affect the output of the entire array. Each microinverter is able to obtain optimum power by performing MPPT for its own panel. From a maintenance/reliability perspective, the failure of a single panel or inverter in this type of system will have a minimal impact on overall system performance.

 Microinverter-based solar power systems also simplify the overall system. They eliminate DC wiring, high-voltage DC switch boxes and protection circuits, and the facilities that house central inverters.

 Microinverters have become common where array sizes are smaller and maximizing performance from every panel is an important consideration. In residential or light commercial systems, the differential price-per-watt for the inverters has less effect on overall system investment. The improvement in energy collection given a fixed size array can offset this difference. For this reason, microinverters have been most successful in the residential market, where limited roof space and multiple sources of shade constrain system performance.

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1. Steca                      98.6%
2. Sunways               97.8%
3. Fronius                 97.7%
4. Diehl Ako             97.7%
5. Voltwerk              97.7%
6. SolarEdge             97.6%
7. Mastervolt           97.5%
8. Mirsibushi            97.5%
9. Solutronic             97.4%
10. Fefu                          97.4%

(This information was compiled from product data sheets).

The solar inverter market leader in terms of market share, SMA, is positioned just under the best ten companies. The difference in the claimed maximum efficiency between Steca and SMA is 1.6% .  In actual  applications, the energy losses through inverters should be considered over the 10-15 years’ lifetime and efficiency in real-life conditions.

Source: Solarbuzz Marketbuzz 2010

*Market size definition based on PV systems installed and/or delivered to site.

Sun City Solar has installed several of these inverters. If you would like further information on any of these inverters or others, visit our website.

The post Who Makes the World’s Most Efficient String Inverters? appeared first on Sun City Solar Energy -Solar Power and Solar Panels.

A Photovoltaic solar power system must be able to function efficiently for 25-30 years in all weather conditions and under the hot summer sun.

Grounding Hardware

What is commonly called in the Photovoltaic  industry “BOS” (Balance of System), i.e. the “rest of the system” (rails, grounding, surge protection, wire, cables, etc.), plays a very important role in ensuring that you and your home or building are properly protected and have adequate power production for many years to come.

From an economic viewpoint, it is even more important for each individual component of a solar power system to be chosen on the basis of the warranties provided by the product and its manufacturer than for a normal electric system. Why? Because the operating specifications of each device must remain unchanged throughout the entire life cycle of your system and investment.

Sun City Solar Energy is dedicated to providing reliable products from the direct current (DC) side through to the Alternate Current grid connected point. In fact, the solar panel we suggest, after careful research, has a 30 year unprecedented warranty!

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