Solar energy can be harnessed using solar pv panels to generate your own renewable, clean electricity. These solar pv panels come in various forms and sizes and can be integrated directly into your domestic or commercial premises. A solar pv system linked directly to the existing mains electricity supply, will utilise the solar power within the building or export it back to the grid when there is a surplus.
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic or PV cells are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. If they access direct sunlight, they will produce the most power, but all of our AEL installed systems will generate some electricity even on overcast days.
Photovoltaic modules (solar pv panels)
Photovoltaic modules typically consist of a number of interconnected PV cells encapsulated between a sheet of glass and a backing sheet. This laminate is often mounted within a rigid aluminum frame, but can also be manufactured in a wide range of other configurations to create modules that suit many different applications.
Building integration
AEL Systems specialises in providing building integrated PV systems. For these to work effectively, Solar PV panels are ideally mounted in a shade free, south facing location therefore making roofs an often ideal site. Solar PV roof tiles can directly replace conventional roofing materials, providing both electricity and a weather-tight roof. Glass - glass PV laminates can replace ordinary glass in roofs, skylights and facades.
Electricity Grid connection
Power from solar pv panels is linked to the grid via a "grid-connect" inverter. This device transforms the variable DC electricity generated by the PV array into mains voltage AC, synchronised precisely with the voltage and frequency of the grid. The inverter also performs various safety functions, constantly monitoring the grid and switching off in the event of a fault or major fluctuation in supply.
The output of the inverter is connected directly to a fuse box - feeding solar electricity into the building's conventional electricity supply. Electricity generated by the PV array is used within the building first with any surplus fed into the grid.
Grid-connected PV systems may consist of a single array of solar modules connected to a central inverter or a number of smaller sub-arrays each with a separate inverter. Systems can be of any size.