Solar Power System
Solar power systems use the conversion of free solar sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. This can either be done directly with the use of photovoltaic, or indirectly through concentrated solar power system.
First Commercial Use
The first commercial solar power systems were first developed in the 1980s, with the 354 MW SEGS CSP installation as the largest solar power plant in the world. It is located in the Desert of California. On the other hand, the 80 MW Sarnia Photovoltaic Power Plant in Canada, is the largest photovoltaic plant in the world. Experimental approaches to solar power include concentrated photovoltaic systems, thermo voltaic devices, and space-based solar power.
Solar power is an alternating energy source, and is therefore not available at all times. As such it is supplemented by a storage unit or another source of energy, ranging from hydropower and wind power. Solar power systems are gradually gaining popularity in thousands of homes today because it is cheap and environment friendly.
How Does Solar Work?
Related Coverage
There are many solar power systems on the market here are a few for you to consider:
CBSOLAR
Cbsolar is having fantastic deals at the moment and are providing free quotes. They are situated in Brisbane and the Gold Coast and have been around since 1946.
Here are some of their testamonials
Solar Power Installation Testimonials
“Their [CB] reputation for honesty and providing a quality product was uppermost in our decision. We were pleased to be able to support a local company with a strong track record knowing that they will be around to provide back up service for years to come. I would certainly recommend CB Solar Gold Coast to friends and family.” Brent C
“Great service on my new solar panels. Our Gold Coast house looks great and the installation was quick and tidy. With so many shonky solar installers on the Gold Coast it was fantastic to work with an experienced team of professionals.”
“CB Solar did a great job of quoting and installing my new solar panel system. I went with their upsized system based on their recommendation which has been worth it. Starting to see those credits roll in now.”
“One always feels a little nervous when the tradies arrive for a major domestic installation. Will they arrive on time? Will they do the job well? Will they leave the place in good order? Your men were excellent on every count, arriving exactly when expected and doing the job quickly and efficiently. And when they left, you wouldn’t have known they’d been, except for the presence of a shiny new Stiebel Eltron heat pump. What’s more they were friendly and courteous…As for the Stiebel unit itself, it’s a winner.” Alan L
Click on the link to the left for your cbsolar Free Quote today!
SOLARWORLD
SolarWorld is a fantastic panel which has a pedigree that’s hard to beat. If you’re looking for the best deal for your money but not willing to compromise quality, performance and durability, Solar-World is the panel is worth considering. SolarWorld’s manufacturing process is fully vertically integrated meaning that SolarWorld manage all aspects of their module manufacturing from the selection of only the highest grade Silicon right through to one of the most advanced and automated production processes in the world. They currently have production plants in Freiberg, Germany and Hillsboro/Oregon in the United States.
VATICAN CITY
The Vatican supports the worldwide promotion of solar power. The SolarWorld PV plant on the roof of the Papal Audience Hall, Paul VI, is as large as a football field. 2,394 modules with a total power output of 220 kilowatt peak (kWp) are installed there. The solar power roughly corresponds to the yearly demand of 100 households. The system proves that photovoltaics and the protection of historical buildings go hand in hand. This system also incorporates SMA inverters.
TRINA SOLAR
Trina Solar is one of the very few Chinese solar companies that represents both quality and price and is one of the main solar panel manufacturers in the world that offers both inexpensive manufacturing costs without compromising quality. Trina is often compared to European panels in both yield and reliability.
MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY
Trina Solar’s entire manufacturing process occurs in Changzhou Photovoltaic Park Jiangsu China. Trina has recently invested 800 million USD over the next three years to finance their research and development in the solar industry. Millions of dollars are being injected into Research and Development for Trina Solar as Mr Gao is adamant it is essential for Trina Solar to remain one of the top 10 panel manufacturers in the world.
SUNGRID Solar panels
If you are searching for a solar panel company that has it’s base in Australia “Sungrid” is the company. With Sungrid’s International headquarters in Fremantle, Western Australia and sales offices throughout Australia, Sungrid offers not only very competitively priced products, but has set the standard for quality control and random independent factory inspections.
MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY
The manufacturing facilities used by Sungrid are certified to ISO9001, an internationally recognised quality assurance system requiring a facility to maintain a specific standard of systems and processes.
All Sungrid solar panels are certified by VDE, TUV international testing laboratories. To maintain quality control, Sungrid has random samples of its panels re-tested at Murdoch University in Western Australia to check the repeatability and integrity of the original factory testing.
Sungrid has very successfully set itself apart from other solar panel companies that manufacture in China. Sungrid conduct more than 100 specific assessments during the manufacturing process and have a Sungrid employee stationed at each of its manufacturing plants. It is not uncommon for low quality panel manufacturers to produce several high quality panels purely for the purpose of testing. These panels are sent to be independently tested and once the manufacturers receive the relevant approvals the quality of the components drops dramatically. Sungrid is leading the way in getting this practice stopped as these inferior panels often fail only a few years after manufacture.
SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
Over the years Infinity Solar has stayed extremely loyal to SMA as their reliability, durability, efficacy and back up service is second to none. There are many inverters on the market however at Infinity Solar they have ensure uncompromising commitment to quality.
SMA Australia is located in North Ryde, Sydney and provides technical and sales support to both Australia and NZ.
MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY
The inverter is technologically the most important component in any solar power system: it converts the direct current generated in photovoltaic cells into alternating current suitable for the grid. In addition, it is an intelligent system manager, responsible for yield monitoring and grid management. SMA Solar inverters are characterised by a particularly high efficiency of up to 99 %, which allows for increased electricity production.
As the penetration of grid-connect solar power systems increase, the local electricity providers need to ensure that their network is not adversely affected by solar inverters exporting poor quality electricity onto their grid. SMA is leading the world in the development of smart inverter technology that can actually help the power quality of an electricity network. This technology is currently being used very successfully in many European countries.
As most renewable energy forms (e.g. solar, wind, hydro-power) generate direct current electricity, the inverter is an essential system component to transform electricity from DC to AC for use in the local electrical network. For this reason the correct inverter selection is vital to ensure that you make the most out of every ray of sunshine. In 2011 SMA became the first manufacturer to reach 99 percent maximum efficiency with the new Sunny Tripower 20000TL High Efficiency inverter. With an increasing amount of large scale solar projects coming online SMA continues to invest millions of dollars into research and development to ensure that they stay at their current number one spot in the world. Not only does SMA lead the world in grid-connect inverters but also in grid backup and also off-grid inverters.
Q.CELLS Solar Panels
Shortly after the company was founded in 1999, Q.CELLS emerged as one of the world’s largest solar cell manufactures. Since its inception Q.CELLS has placed a huge emphasis on innovation and quality, and by remaining focused on these two principles they have prospered in a very competitive international market. Initially Q.CELLS was solely focused on cell manufacturing however today Q.CELLS offers a wide range of innovative photovoltaic solutions from solar cells and solar modules right up to large scale solar farms. In 2011 Q.CELLS was the third largest installer of solar farms in the world.
Q.CELLS often makes the statement “Claiming Leadership Means Proving It” this statement alone shows their continued commitment to quality and innovation. Their office is in Australia, located in North Sydney and a full subsidiary of Q.CELLS Germany. The Q.CELLS Australian office is able to offer everything from system design to financial analysis and boasts some of the most experienced solar engineers in the country.
Here is some brief information on Solar Hot Water Providers here in Australia.
Please note that in Queensland the solar hot water incentive program has now closed by the Queensland Government on 22 June 2012.
Solahart - Solar Hot Water
Solahart is an Australian company installing solar hot water systems. They are rigorously tested for the Australian environment.
Research & Development
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
One of the keys to our success over the years has been the relentless pursuit of innovation.
Research and Development is a critical part of Solahart. They have developed a ‘Centres of Excellence’ approach for advanced technologies with dedicated R&D people in Welshpool (WA) and Rydalmere (NSW). These include industry-leading specialists in material science, performance testing and enamelling technology. Through international recruitment we have built a strong team committed to developing the next generation of solar water heaters.Their aim to make solar water heating as accessible as any conventional water heater. They wanted to ensure whatever the setting – a house, a block of units or huge industrial plant, solar water heating is the most cost-effective water heating option across the board, from installation to running costs, maintenance and performance. To maintain their competitive edge, performance testing is essential.
Dux Solar Hot Water
Dedicated to Excellence
Dux Hot Water aims to be the knowledge leader in the Australian environmental water heater market. They have invested extensively to ensure that its products and its staff are at the forefront of the change.
It’s all part of their vision to become Australia’s cleaner, greener hot water company. The purpose built, state of the art Solar Institute is designed to provide the hands on knowledge and skills to participate in the new environmental hot water market.
Rinnai Solar Hot Water
Solar water heating affords us a clean, inexhaustible supply of energy that helps to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Rinnai draws from the expertise of over 70 years experience in designing and manufacturing Hot Water Systems. This allows them to provide a refined range of the most highly efficient quality choices available.
Origin Energy Solar Hot Water
Origin Energy has a payment plan to help purchase you solar hot water. At the moment they have stated on their website interest free terms but you would need to make your own inquiries in case they it has changed.
Remember always get more than one quote to see which best fits your budget.
Why not visit some of our partner’s website to obtain your quote today!
