Solar Power Panel Plans

One of the first images that come to mind when the topic of solar energy arises is the solar panel, typically portrayed as an oversized, reflective box parked on a rooftop waiting to catch the sun’s rays. This is changing rapidly as solar cell technology grows in leaps and bounds.

The heat that is continuously created by the sun can be harnessed for use in heating both water systems and ventilation systems through a solar power panel, generally called a photovoltaic or PV panel. A solar power panel is lined with semi-conductive material, usually silicon-based, which generates electricity whenever light from the sun goes through it. The lining is known as the solar cell. The electricity travels via the semi-conductive material to the electrical system powering your house.

Originally, the solar panel or PV panels were restricted to big square or rectangular-shaped enclosures. Recently, the manufacturing process for solar cells has developed tremendously, opening new doors to significant changes in the way solar power panels can be integrated into your business or home. As solar cells become as a more practical alternative to energy problems, solar panels have become easier to install and can be made a part of roofing material or even parts of windows. Building Integrated Photovoltaics, or BIPV, is the emerging technology of integrating solar cells into all kinds of building materials, so that a building can be green from the ground up.

Solar cells that are integrated into roofing material will give the same protective qualities as traditional asphalt shingles, while simultaneously gathering energy from the sun. The same technology may also be used for exterior walls, windows, skylights, walkway coverings, awnings, and car ports, and it would appear that, every day, a new means of integrating solar power panels into regular building materials becomes available.

Many kinds of solar power panel assemblies are mounted off the building itself. The two most popular kinds are pole-mounted or ground mounted fixtures both of which allow placement of solar panels where they will get maximum sun exposure, thus giving greater flexibility in both solar system and building design. Solar panels generate some power with only indirect exposure to sunlight, but you'll generate the most amount of solar power only if there is direct exposure of solar panels to the sun's full rays.

Ground mounted structures which are mounted typically to metal frames anchored into the ground with traditional construction methods, concrete footers etc. These frames can be built with motorized mounts for the solar power panels which would allow them to “track” or follow the sun throughout the day.

Pole mounted structures which are mounted either to the top or side of a metal pole can be constructed to allow the solar panels to track the sun’s path to receive the maximum amount of solar exposure throughout the day.

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