Site Map   

Frequently Asked Questions - Solar Photo-Voltaic Panels

What are Photo-Voltaic Panels ?

Do Photo-Voltaic Panels gather electricity constantly ?

How Long will a Solar Array last ?

Photo-Voltaic ( or PV ) panels gather sunlight and convert it directly into electricity.  Traditionally , these devices have been ‘solid state’ silicon-based photocells.  There are different technologies ( monocrystalline, polycristalline, thin film, concentrating solar ).

Regardless of the PV panel technology used, a low-tech 'inverter' will miss out on most of the energy gathered.

Do Photo-Voltaic Panels gather electricity constantly ?

Because PV panels require light, they don’t operate in the dark.  As the light impinging on the panel increases, the voltage generated by the panel also increases.  Obviously, each panel will generate its maximum output at noon on a clear day.

Unfortunately, while the panels will generate electricity even at low levels of light, old-technology inverters are unable to capture the energy at anything but the highest levels of illumination.  Thus, while the panel may be actually generating electricity at 7AM, the inverter probably won't  "turn on" until the panel has reached 75-80% of its maximum voltage, thus the actual window in which electricity is gathered may be only from 11AM until 2PM - wasting most of the energy generated.

It should be noted that whatever PV panels are selected for a particular installation, Hybridyne Power Electronics' Patent-pending Conversion/Inversion Technology ( CIT )  will deliver approximately 30% more annual yield from the same sunlight - simply by broadening the 'window' in which the electricity is gathered - say from 9AM through 6PM .  The yield is also increased by the higher conversion efficiency of HPE's CIT

How Long will a Solar Array last ?

The best rule of thumb is to check the manufacturer's warranty.  You'll see that generally, the panels are rated to deliver a high percentage of their nameplate rating over the first few years, then less over the next few, then less and so on.  Progressively, the expected yield degrades from year to year.

However :

1. some PV panel manufacturers measure and rate the 'nameplate' of each panel accurately and individually, so you can be assured you are receiving all the energy you are paying for.
2. some PV panel manufacturers build their panels to a higher level of quality so the 'degradation' is much less

Regardless, almost any PV Panel will still be generating electricity after at least 40 years.  It therefore makes good economic sense to have electronics which will last that long as well, and that will generate as much electricity as possible over that time.