Tiếng Việt
中文 (中国)
Solar energy is the source of radiation and heat generated from the sun. It is an infinite and essential energy source for life on Earth. Currently, solar power systems are widely used for electricity generation in businesses and households in Vietnam.
A solar power system is the process of converting sunlight into electrical energy and supplying it for residential, industrial, and agricultural purposes. This article will explain in detail the structure and operating principles of solar power systems.
1. Structure of the solar power system
Main components:
Solar panel:
Operating principle: It is made up of interconnected Solar Cells (photovoltaic cells). When sunlight hits the Solar Cells, light particles (photons) “knock” electrons (charged particles) out of their positions. These electrons move in a directed manner, creating a direct current.
There are two most common types of solar panels on the market:
- Monocrystalline: Made from a single crystal of silicon, these panels have high purity. The advantages of this type include a long lifespan (about 25-40 years), high efficiency, and durability. However, they are usually more expensive than other types.
- Polycrystalline: Composed of many small silicon crystals that are melted, poured into molds, and then cut into individual Wafer pieces. These panels have the advantage of being reasonably priced and easy to produce. However, their lifespan is shorter, only about 20-35 years.
Explore the solar panel products available at VAS.
Inverter:
Function: The inverter is responsible for converting direct current (DC) from solar panels into alternating current (AC) to supply electrical devices. Additionally, the inverter can protect the system in case of overload by disconnecting or adjusting the voltage.
Common types of inverters include:
- On-Grid Inverter: Directly connected to the national power grid, you can sell excess electricity generated from Solar Energy to the electricity supplier.
- Off-Grid Inverter: Operates independently, not requiring a direct connection to the power grid, commonly used in remote areas such as mountainous regions and islands.
- Hybrid Inverter: Combines the functions of both On-Grid and Off-Grid inverters, offering flexibility in electricity usage.
Explore the Inverter products available at VAS.
Energy Storage System:
Function: The energy storage system stores excess energy produced by the solar power system during the day and is used at night or in case of a power outage. This energy storage system helps reduce dependence on the national grid and is particularly suitable for remote areas.
Explore the Energy Storage System products available at VAS.
Overview diagram of the solar energy system:
2. Operating Principle
First, solar panels are installed on rooftops or in areas that receive the most sunlight. The solar energy system captures solar radiation and converts it into direct current (DC) electricity, which is then stored in a battery (if using an Energy Storage System – ESS).
Next, this direct current (DC) flows through an inverter and is converted into alternating current (AC).
This alternating current is used to supply power to electrical loads (devices) or fed into the national grid.
3. Factors Affecting the Performance of the System:
- Sunlight: Vietnam is located in the Monsoon Tropical region, near the equator. Therefore, our country has a significant advantage in abundant solar radiation energy. However, the South receives more sunlight compared to the Central and Northern regions, which are affected by severe storms.
- Tilt Angle of the Panel: This factor refers to the orientation of the solar panel. Typically, rooftop installations optimize electricity production better than installations facing true south (6H). The rooftop solar power system is also encouraged by the Prime Minister to be adopted for households and businesses.Chat
- Shading from surrounding obstacles: The obstacles around the installation site of the solar power system will create shading, which, whether large or small, negatively affects the electricity generation efficiency. Therefore, there should be NO or MINIMIZED shading around the installation area.
4. Advantages of solar energy systems:
- Cost savings on electricity: For households, solar power systems will help maximize savings on monthly electricity bills. For businesses and factories, the electricity costs for operating production machinery will be significantly reduced.
- Environmental protection: Using solar energy to produce clean electricity does not emit harmful gases such as CO2, SO2, etc., unlike fossil fuels. Additionally, solar power systems do not generate noise during operation.
- Ensured stable power supply: If you use a grid-tied system with backup (Hybrid), the system supports power supply even during outages (electricity from the backup storage system) or at night/bad weather (supplementing power from the national grid).
- Long lifespan: Typically, solar power systems have a lifespan of about 25-30 years, depending on the quality of the panels.
5. Disadvantages and Limitations:
- High initial investment cost: Installing a complete solar power system, including solar panels, inverters, and other equipment, will incur a significant cost. However, the payback period for this system is relatively quick, around 5-6 years, depending on the sunlight availability in the area, and it helps you save considerably on electricity costs.
- Dependence on weather: The performance of the solar power system is affected on cloudy or rainy days. Additionally, this system cannot operate at night when there is no sunlight. Therefore, you may consider using an Energy Storage System (ESS) to store the excess electricity generated from solar energy for use during adverse weather conditions.
6. Conclusion
In summary, solar energy is not only a cost-saving solution but also a practical action to protect the environment. With its outstanding advantages, installing a solar power system for homes and businesses is becoming an inevitable trend. Don’t hesitate to contact VAS for assistance. Hotline: 0766666480.
