As You know, HAPA UJANJA tu๐คทโโ๏ธ, and so, to become a solar electricity expert, You don’t NEED to have any prior formal training, nor background experience in electricity…
BUT a ‘ujanja’ need, attitude to understand system components (panels, inverters, batteries, controllers, etc),
and gain practical, hands–on experience to fully master the ‘ujanja’๐!
The rubbish in here is for a practical ๐คชdemonstration of solar electricity (power), including how to connect everything, batteries, inverters, and panels to handle whatever loads to avoid costly system design failures๐ฅ!
Insha‘Allah, may this nonsense about SOLAR ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS be useless to, for You, who don’t have any desires to deal with SOLAR POWER, amen๐งโโ๏ธ!
A solar electricity system converts sunlight (J) into usable energy (electricity)
A solar electricity system (may) at least consist of๐ค;
๐ฅคSolar panels (S) that generate DC electricity!
๐ฅคSolar charge controllers (O) to regulate the power from the solar panels!
๐ฅคA power bank (Z) like a battery to store the excess electricity generated by solar panels!
๐ฅคAn inverter (I) converting the direct current (DC) electricity produced by solar panels into usable alternating current (AC) for AC appliances and the grid supply.
๐ฅค๐ฅค๐ฅค …and so many other componentsย ๐!
The sunย (J), thanks to JAHโ, the Universe,
forย the sun is the earth’s primary energy source!
NO technology, NO explanation๐คฃ๐!
The sun,
a free and abundant, source of energy,
masha‘Allahโ!
This sun‘s energy is captured using the solar panels!
๐
(S) SOLAR PANELS
How Solar Panels are manufactured,
it’s a longer story to include here๐!
But here‘s a shorter story๐ง!
Everything in the universe is made of matter,
and all matter is built from atoms๐!
At the core of these atoms are charged particles; protons (O) and electrons(S)
…that interact to hold everything together.
For an atom to stabilize, the number of positively charged protons (O) must perfectly balance with the number of negatively charged electrons (S)๐!
As these opposite charges cancel each other out, the atom as a whole becomes electrically neutral (Z)!
An atom with excess of electrons, will naturally seek stability by shedding off (losing) those extra electrons, to to any with a deficiency of electrons, seen๐ค?
Now, imagine๐จโ๐ฆฑ We get 2 atoms๐!
…one with excess electrons,
AND,
…other with some space to accept more electrons!
We put together these two opposite atoms!
Behind the scenes, the extra electrons in one atomย will move to find, then fill the free spaces in the other atom, seen๐ค?
Please, continue to imagine๐ง!
As the free electrons cross from (mjingaX) to fill the spaces in (mjingaY), they deplete or disorganize, or block the way, that now other free electrons fail to crossover๐คทโโ๏ธ!
The ‘weeding zone‘ is a representation of that barrier created!
In (mjingaX) atom, excess electrons need to be lost!
In (mjingaY) atom, the free spaces need electrons!
I hope You imagine that force, pressure, or say, potential difference between (mjingaX) & (mjingaY)!
In fact, because we’re dealing with solar panels, the sheets used making them…
Let’s shift our imagination to these two sheets๐!
One sheet has (sssss)
potential to send electrons,
so does the other, also with (ooooo)
potential to receive those electrons,
BUT,
That barrier in the middle is disabling the movement of the electrons๐ฒ!
The energy in the SUN‘s light worsens the situation, empowers, tickles, makes the electrons to become more CRAZY, wanting to move as they find spaces to occupy๐๐คฃ!
The middle is already blocked, the sun‘s light has worsened everything, meaning the electrons are more than ready to go with any possible means,
…which is the conductor wire’s way!
As the electrons move, they will do whatever magic in that electrical appliance that will be installed in it’s way๐๐!
Already, electricity has been generated by the sun’s energy๐ง!
HAPA UJANJA tu๐คทโโ๏ธ!
Sasa, whatever magic, has happened in a tiny cell๐!
If energy from that tiny cell (S1) is all needed, then the whole solar panel (S) will be that tiny cell (S1)๐คทโโ๏ธ!
Otherwise, several tiny cells (S1) can be combined to form (S2) a moderate cell as a full solar panel (S)๐บ!
So many whatever cells (S2) eventually make up that SOLAR PANEL (S)!
Now wake up, stop imagining๐คฃ๐,
a solar panel has now been manufactured!
We have a real solar panel to practice with๐!
Identical Solar Panels connected in series,
output is the total sum of their voltages (volts),
same current (amps)!
ย ย ย ย ย SERIES ย (15V /2A)ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย PARALLELย (5V /6A)
Identical Solar Panels connected in Parallel,
output is a single voltage (volts),
total current (amps) is sum of all‘s๐!
DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME
(its just ‘ujinga’ so is why the picture details hidden)
Congratulations๐ฅ!
We have so far created electricity (flow of charge) from the solar panels,
sasa, whats next๐ค?Yes, We can direct-drive, just use solar power immediately, as in, directly as it is generated, without a battery, nor any kind of controller๐คทโโ๏ธ!
Yes, BUT connecting a solar panel directly to appliances can damage sh*t, or cause the system to fail, as solar output fluctuates wildly with sunlight and weather๐!
Theseโ, however seem directly connected๐ง,
there is always some certain ‘uchawi’ magic, to ensure that the voltage and current sent to the devices remain stable and safe๐ฉบ!
In fact, immediately just after the SOLAR PANEL(S), there is that ‘ujinga’ (3M) nonsense but sense of the DC MCBs and SPDs that could be found in certain solar installations!
Remember, HAPA UJANJA tu,
that informally You may (must) NOT install,
but formally, professionally install that DC MCBย and SPD sh*t๐คช!
Look here๐ฅค,
thatย DC MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) and a DC SPD (Surge Protection Device) perform opposite tasks.
An MCB protects the wiring and equipment from overcurrent (overloads and short circuits) by breaking the circuit.
An SPD protects the setup from sudden overvoltage (power/lightning surges) by diverting excess voltage to the ground๐คทโโ๏ธ!
Niiga, try to imagine again๐ค,
if there are too many appliances pulling power (overload), or may be, a wire crosses incorrectly (short circuit), the MCB cuts off the DC power to prevent melting or fires๐!
Continue imagining a nearby lightning strikes, sends a massive voltage spike down the wires, that MCB could so very much too slow to stop it.
Sasa, this is how the SPD instantly intercepts the spike and dumps it to the ground, masha‘Allahโ!
So, I hope it now makes sense that a DC MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) and a DC SPD (Surge Protection Device) are both critical for solar systems but perform opposite tasks๐คทโโ๏ธ!
HAPA UJANJA tu๐ป!
We have cleaned our SOLAR ELECTRICITY POWER from the Solar Panel, We can send it to anywhere๐คทโโ๏ธ!
Remember, NOT that all the electricity from the Solar Panel will be used, so, lets use any Power Bank like the Battery to store the unused, excess electricity generated during the day๐๏ธโโ๏ธ!
Again, during cloudy weather, or in fact, at night there is NO sun light for the Solar Panels to generate electricity, so, masha’Allah, this Battery provides reliable backup power, insha‘Allahโฐ!
NOTE๐
Solar batteries are specially designed, totatlly different from how these standard batteries (like car batteries) are designed!
How they are designed๐งท, its a longer story๐ง,
AND, I have no shorter story๐๐!
OK, lets NOT imagine, because You know how that battery in a vehicle, is used to power that very HIGH–voltage starter–motor that rotates that BIG engine while startingโโ!
The Car Battery only works ONCE, just heavily to rotate the engine to start, then the alternator takes over to generate electricity used in the vehicle, and recharge that battery๐!
BTW, if you’re interested in that vehicles rubbish, sensors, actuators, ECU, troubleshooting everything…
DON’T click here
OK, hope now it makes sense why the Solar Batteries are specially designed to handle the daily, heavy charging and discharging required by solar panel systems๐คทโโ๏ธ!
The Solar Batteries can use up to 80–100% of their stored capacity before needing a recharge, where as these stupid normal batteries can only drain a tiny percentage before being damaged๐!
There are billion reasons WHY the Solar Batteries are uniquely for Solar, unlike standard batteries (like car batteries), including being “deep cycle“, that they can drain most of their power and recharge thousands of times without degrading๐!
Niiiga๐ข, just know that these solar ‘things’ are designed to work throughout, 24/7, storing excess energy during the day to power whatever through the night, insha‘Allahโ!
Don’t forget about that Series & Parallel whatever’s๐!
BTW, if you’re interested in that Battery‘s rubbish, including recent BMS setups with sensors, actuators, ECU, troubleshooting everything…
DON’T click here
Yes, as We use any Power Bank like a Battery to store the unused, excess electricity generated,
BUT๐ค,
what if that unused, excess electricity, becomes excess for, then damages the battery๐ค?
So comes in component (O), the Solar charge controller, to regulate the power from the solar panels to prevent batteries from overcharging๐คทโโ๏ธ!
The Solar Charge Controller regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels to the battery๐ง!
How they do it๐ฉบ, whatever electronic components inside, its a longer story๐!
Use this๐ same rubbish we used dealing with different Electronic Control Units (ECU)!
DON’Tย click here
Yes, a smart solar charge controller device can automatically prevent overcharging and over-discharging of the battery๐ด!
That solar shunt (O1) is some ‘dirty’ non-smart, kinda๐งof solar charge controller!
Its just specialized with low-resistance to accurately measure electrical current as it flows in and out of the batteriesโฐ!
It is installed in-line on the main negative cable running between the battery bank and the rest of the system (inverters, loads, etc)๐คทโโ๏ธ!
Ok, as current passes through the shunt, it creates a tiny, proportional voltage drop, does whatever calculations, and displays the data๐คทโโ๏ธ!
It acting like aย “fuel gauge”, it allows to accurately monitor a battery‘s State of Charge (SOC), how much power is coming in from the solar panels and how much is being consumed by the loads (lights, fridge, etc.)๐๏ธโโ๏ธ!
Coming back to a smart solar charge controller device that regulates the power from the solar panels, then automatically prevents overcharging and over–discharging of the battery…
..until now, year 1900, at this date of writing this nonsense, the two main types are;
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
and
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking).
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Controllers
Think or imagine of a PWM controller as an electronic switch that connects the solar panel directly to the battery.
It gradually reduces the power applied to the battery as it fills up๐คทโโ๏ธ!
It matches the panel voltage to the battery voltage. For example, with a 12V battery, the solar panel hacked to output 12V๐คช!
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Controllers
An MPPT controller is more advanced, it’s more like a a smart DC–to–DC converter.
It can take a higher input voltage from the panels (e.g., 32V) and step it down to match the battery voltage (e.g., 12V) while boosting the current (Amps)๐ฅค!
For whatever electronic components, circuit troubleshooting…..
Use this๐ same rubbish we used dealing with different Electronic Control Units (ECU)!
DON’Tย click here
We have cleaned, controlled & stored our Solar Electricity Power, its time to distribute it to, whichever DC and or AC, electrical appliances, masha‘Allah๐ก!
Using (M), the Solar DCDB (Direct Current Distribution Box), with DC Fuses, more DC Surge Protection Devices (SPD) and or DC Isolator / MCB, insha‘Allah, We can defend the DC electrical appliances against electrical faults like, dangerous power surges or short circuits,
…plus isolating the system for maintenance๐ฉบ!
Obviously, just after the DC to AC Inverter, We can use a use a ย solar ACDB (Alternating Current Distribution Box) for a safer AC power distribution, and to defend the AC electrical appliances against electrical faults like, dangerous power surges or short circuits…
…plus isolating the system for maintenance๐ฉบ!
The Solar Power, Electricity, comes out as DC from the solar panels & from Power Bank (Battery),
YET,
Some Electrical appliances (2C) use AC kind of electricity๐คทโโ๏ธ!
Using an Inverter (I) to magically change the DC electricity into AC, so as to power AC appliances (like a fridge to cool the beers, TV to watch UTV, TBC, KBC, or lights)!
Whatever nonsense of whatever is inside the the inverter, its a longer story๐ง!
Use this๐ same rubbish we used dealing with different Electronic Control Units (ECU)!
DON’Tย click here
Just know that some specialized “batteryless inverters” can be hooked directly to solar panels, but they still contain internal regulating circuitry to handle the raw solar voltage๐!
Unajua the Danger of Skipping a Controller, to just connect a solar panel completely “raw” to an appliance or inverter carries serious risks like Voltage Spikes when like aย A 12V solar panel often produces an “open circuit” voltage of 18V to 22V or more when exposed to bright sunlight.
This overvoltage can quickly f*k sh*t!
In fact, some INVERTERS are ‘tuff gong’, fully self contained with even a charge controller, ACDB (Alternating Current Distribution Box) and SOZI onboard, ‘komanyoooko’๐๐คฃ๐!
Naaam, I believe You’re a ‘mjanaja’ now, to know that a standard A solar electricity system converts sunlight into usable energy for a vehicle, house, or wherever, insha‘Allah๐คทโโ๏ธ!
It primarily consists of solar panels that generate DC electricity, an inverter that converts it to AC electricity, a mounting system for stability, and optional batteries for power storage๐ค!
I did NOT want to confuse You with the ‘babylon’ English word, Photovoltaic (PV)๐คช!
You find it written, Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels, which just means they convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photoelectric effect,
NOT heat, bomboclat๐๐!
In fact, heat actually hurts Solar Panels๐คทโโ๏ธ!
I repeat ๐๐ Higher temperatures cause a drop in the solar panel efficiency๐ค!
Niiga, don’t go heat, warm up the solar panel that to generate more electricity๐๐!
There is a difference between photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal (which actually does use the sun’s heat), seen?
Solar panels generally perform best on cold, bright, and sunny days๐!
As We have demonstratedโ, the Photons (energy, or particles of light) hit the solar cells and knock electrons free from the semiconductor atoms๐!
Last but NOT least, I repeat ๐๐ Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photoelectric effect, not through heat๐ค!
Such ๐boxes should never be scaring,
insha‘Allah๐งโโ๏ธ!
If You have more time to waste๐คทโโ๏ธ, You may want watch this boring video demonstraions๐ง!
