Solar Electric Panels

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How do Solar Cells make Electricity

Use American Made Solar Electric Panels?

Do I Need UL Approved Equiptment?

IS There A Difference New and Used Solar panels?

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How do Solar Cells make Electricity
© Copyright 1992 By Charlie Collins From "Ask Mr. Solar" Column Published 3/1/92 Daily Spectrum

Question: Can you tell me in laymans turms just how do solar electric panels make electricity.

Curt Larson, Long Beach, Ca.

Mr. Solar: Curt, Solar electric cells or photovolatics is the product that turns sunlight into electricity. The technical term for "solar electricity" is "photovolatics" a natural phenomenon. This process discovered in 1839 by a French scientist named Edmund Becquerel.

The conversion of sunlight into electricity happens because the effect of light falling on a solar electric module. Twentieth century physicists, including Albert Einstein, found that very small photons, or particles of light, interact with the electron shell surrounding the nucleus of an atom. This interaction causes a free stream of electrons or the basis of electricity. Solar electricity depends on two of the most plentiful resources on earth; sunshine and sand that are nearly inexhaustible.

Simply put: when sunlight strikes a solar module, electric current results - the basis for electricity. Most solar cells on the market today are made from high-purity single crystal silicon or sand.

The solar cells are soldered together and then fabricated into panels. The solar electric panels are then connected together with other panels and they form an array of solar electric panels. A very simple system would be an array connected directly to a usage such as a pump and when the sun shines the pump will operate.

A stand alone system as the Do IT Homestead's incorporates a set of storage batteries. We store the power in batteries so that if we wish to have power at night or on cloudy days all we need to do is use our stored power.

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Use American Made Solar Electric Panels?
© Copyright 1992 By Charlie Collins From "Ask Mr. Solar" Column Published 6/14/92 Daily Spectrum

Question: Do you feel that there is any difference in solar electric panels?

Reed N.,St George, Utah

Mr. Solar: Reed, Do you feel that there is any difference in solar electric panels?

No, Reed I feel that all of the approximately thirty manufactures of solar electrical panels world wide that basically they are all the same, however I do feel that we should use only American Made ones and not use imported products.

Currently we do sell panels from four companies, two from the USA, one from Japan and one from Germany. We know that the quality is equal and that there is no difference between them. I feel that this is one problem that we now have in this great country of ours, is that our government has encouraged our fine companies to move their manufacturing equipment off shore to get "cheep" labor. One thing that I like about living in Utah is that our current Governor feels that we should always buy from Utah people in order to keep our jobs here in Utah. If the products are not available then we should of course buy only American Made products. I personally see no reason to export our jobs to other countries.

I like do my part in the great scheme of things by encouraging all of my customers to buy American when they are considering solar electric panels. Actually I can buy foreign made panels cheaper and therefore make more money, however I still insist on my customers using American Made even though I actually make less per panel. I feel that if I help only one person keep their job and stay off the street that I have done my part.

Recently the German government cancelled a very large order for solar electric panels from a company that was owned by Germans which manufactured their panels in the USA. So isn't it only fair that we do the same?

Reed I do hope that this answers your question and whenever you plan to buy you will give very serious thought to buying American made.

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Do I Need UL Approved Equiptment?
© Copyright 1995 By Charlie Collins From "Ask Mr. Solar" Column Published 9/13/92 Daily Spectrum

Question: I recently installed a solar electric system, and now I am concerned about my insurance, what should I do?

Dennis P., St George, Ut

Mr. Solar: Dennis, I recently installed a solar electric system, and now I am concerned about my insurance, what should I do?

Dennis, we have heard of cases in California that there have been insurance companies that have refused to pay claims because the homeowner has changed his electrical system and not had his home re-inspected. That is why in all the systems that we install we always use only UL approved equipment and we tell the homeowner that they should check with their insurance agent. When we went to solar electrical power from a generator we called our insurance agent and asked him what to do. He told us that to be on the safe side that we should have our home re-inspected for solar. If there was a fire then maybe that would be a good reason for them not to pay. We did that and found that the local building inspector had some good timely suggestions to make and then he approved our new enviormental clean system as well as wrote us a letter which we gave to our insurance company.

The Washington County Building inspector told us that it is imperative that only Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved equipment be used if available and the best on the market. Should there be equipment that is not approved but is superior to others then he would agree to use the best available.

We discussed solar electric panels and he pointed out that there was no reason to use unapproved ones when there were approved ones, even though the unapproved ones were one half the cost of UL approved ones. I pointed out to him that at this time the only difference between these solar panels is the connections, but as he pointed out that is a major difference. Therefore we are only helping to install the American made Siemens and Solerex ones which are the only ones UL approved.

He went on to say that all systems must have disconnects and proper fuses between all components such as inventors, batteries,lights, controller,and the power source, be it wind, solar, hydro or a generator.

He also pointed out that the reason they have a building code is to protect the homeowner so that they will have a safe, reliable and functional home. He doesn't enjoy stopping any building project so long as the occupants are safe.

Dennis, we have seen several of these systems installed here in Southern Utah and the owners will be more than happy to show them to you. With all the necessary switches and fused are installed then our price will be higher than our competors, however you know that it is trouble free and as safe as possible. Should you be interested in seeing an operating system please contact me and we will be happy to arrange a visit with a local satisfied customer. Or if you would like we would be happy to show you our system at our next open house which will be this fall.

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IS There A Difference New and Used Solar panels?
© Copyright 1992 By Charlie Collins From "Ask Mr. Solar" Column Published 12/22/92 Daily Spectrum

Question: I have heard that there are some used solar electric panels on the market that are cheaper than the new new and why not use them and save moneys up front? Are they the most efficient and inexpensive electric solar paneling available? Or is it better for me to but new ones for the long run?

Charles S., Washington Utah

Mr. Solar: Charles, Dear Mr. Solar; I have heard that there are some used solar electric panels on the market that are cheaper than the new new and why not use them and save moneys up front? Are they the most efficient and inexpensive electric solar paneling available? Or is it better for me to but new ones for the long run?

Charles I'm glad to get this question as there is a lot of discussion on the cost of solar electric panels. There are two types of "used" ones on the market now as have been for several years. One type of used solar panels are the ones you may find from a home owner that has some they wish to sell and they are possibly a very good buy. The other type oŸ "used" electric solar panels are ones which are being sold by dealers and are the ones which we discuss in this article. One question that you need to ask yourself is will you be happy with a short turn system or do you want a system which will be trouble free for 10 or more years. These "used" solar panels are cheaper than new ones up front but in the long run cost you more. They don't perform as they were originally intended as a result of their being mounted with reflectors or mirrors on them to increase the power output per square foot. However this arrangement also increased the heat on the solar cells and therefore decreased their life span. Some of these were partly destroyed while others were only hurt a little. Now these are on the market for home use at discounted prices and a five year dealer warrantee. I feel that it is like buying a used car, one never knows what he is getting into, does he?

I understand that there are a couple large solar dealers who are giving their customers a refund or more panels in order to appease them, because those panels which they sold are not living up to the requirements that had been stated. I also understand that their customers must request adjustments in order to receive it from the dealer.

There are several solar panel manufactures selling in this country, they are Siemens, BP (British Petrolium), Solco, Solarex, Kyocera and Hoxan. Their new panels sell for approximately twice the price of the "used" ones, however they carry twice the warrantee and it comes from the original multi million dollar manufacturer. The new ones also have at approximately twice the power output. Of these Solarex and Siemens are the only American made, and I naturally prefer to buy the American made products. All currently have at least a 10 year warrantee, where as Kyocera has a 12 year warrantee. The larger Solarex now carries a 20 year warrantee. This means that if their panels fail to produce at least 90% of their rated power any time within the warrantee period then the manufacturer will replace them at no cost to the user consequently in the long run I feel that new ones are much more prudent investment.

George, as you see you have a choice, you can buy "used" ones and save a few dollars now, as they are about 1/2 the price, but keep in mind they have half of the power and warrantee. Also remember after five years who knows what you will be up against. Buying electric solar panels are a large investment and I feel that you should buy the new ones as in long run you will have less trouble with your system, which is what we all want.

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