How Solar Power Works From Ultimate Addons

Solar energy is a tried and tested power source that is already being used around the world for numerous commercial, industrial, government and domestic applications. It is powering water pumps in African villages, weather stations in the Antarctic and satellites in space!

How Solar Works

It works by transforming the energy from the sun into a reusable form of electricity, a process known as Photovoltaic (or PV for short). Your Solar panel acts as a collecting tray, helping you catch the sun’s rays. The bigger the panel, the more energy you can collect. The energy collected is stored for your future use in a battery.


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How To Calculate Your Solar Power Requirements

There are three things to consider in order to choose a Solar panel or create a Solar system.

You need to know how much energy your battery can store and then select a Solar panel that can replenish your ‘stock’ of energy in the battery in line with your pattern of use.

How much energy can your battery store?

Battery capacity is measured in Amp Hours (eg 17AH). You need to convert this to Watt Hours by multiplying the AH figure by the battery voltage (eg 12V).

For a 17AH, 12V battery the Watt Hours figure is 17 x 12 = 204WH

This means the battery could supply 204W for 1 hour, or 102W for 2 hours i.e. the more energy you take, the faster the battery discharges.

How much energy will your appliance(s) use over a period of time?

The power consumption of appliances is given in Watts (eg 21" fluorescent light, 13W). To calculate the energy you will use over time, just multiply the power consumption by the hours of use.

The 13W light fitting, on for 2 hours, will take 13 x 2 = 26WH from the battery.

Repeat this for all the appliances you wish to use, then add the results to establish total consumption.

How much energy can a Solar panel generate over a period of time?

The power generation rating of a Solar panel is also given in Watts (eg STP010, 10W). To calculate the energy it can supply to the battery, multiply Watts by the hours exposed to sunshine, then multiply the result by 0.85 (this factor allows for natural system losses).

For the Solar 10W panel in 4 hours* of sunshine, 10 x 4 x 0.85 = 34WH. This is the amount of energy the Solar panel can supply to the battery.

Solar Panel Technology

Solar Technology have designed a range of solar panels using the latest in cutting edge technology allowing you to capture the sun’s energy and convert this solar power it into electrical current to power a range of appliances. Our panels use crystalline silicon technology which is more efficient than amorphous or thin film solutions, particularly in lower light conditions found in the UK. All our solar panels are accredited with the internationally recognised IEC 61215 certification.

Our Panels

Our range of panels extends from 5 through to 150 watts in power. Choosing the correct size of panel will depend on variables such as the power required by the appliances you require to power, length of use and hourly sunshine rates

Voltage Regulaters

All panels over 18 watts will require a voltage regulator. Please refer to our accessory table to ensure you have the correct euiptment to operate your chosen solar panel.