Advantages of using solar panels in autonomous and backup power supply systems

Very often one comes across the opinion that using solar panels is inappropriate, that they are expensive and do not pay for themselves. Many people think that it is much easier to install a gas generator that will provide energy to your home. Let's try to figure it out and determine the advantages of using solar panels for home.

About the advantages of using solar panels

A photovoltaic solar battery has an almost unlimited service life (over 25-30 years, their production decreases by 10-20%). It does not make noise, does not require fuel, does not smell, there is no need to carry cans, change oil and build a separate (preferably fireproof) room with soundproofing walls, exhaust ventilation and an exhaust pipe.

If you have a solar power system, you can listen to the birds and watch the children play in the garden without breathing in CO2. But the main thing is electricity around the clock, and not only when the generator is running, started on the 10th attempt, and rattling to the “joy” of you and your neighbors. You always have a screwdriver, phone, camera, etc. charged. Is it logical to reduce the resource of a powerful generator in order to produce a few watts?

An undoubted advantage of round-the-clock power supply is the ability to install an alarm system. There are many options. From the simplest car alarm to an intelligent home with a DVR, GSM module, video on-line, and other bells and whistles. If you have a house, a temporary shed, or a sauna made of timber, then it is enough to install a car alarm with a seismic sensor (shock sensor). These are the simplest, cheapest and most sufficient options, because... wooden houses conduct low-frequency vibrations very well. It’s not for nothing that the best acoustic systems (speakers) are wooden. In the event of a break-in attempt, it will probably work, and even if it doesn’t arrest you, it will certainly have a psychological effect on the attacker (Who knows, maybe the whole “village” will come running now, or the neighbor with the “bazooka” will wake up?). The same can be said about a house made of logs; it is not much inferior to timber. For brick and stone houses, a car alarm with a volume sensor is more suitable; they are not much more expensive, 15-20%. And your property is “at least” protected. A canopy made of solar panels solves 2 problems - electricity generation and sun protection. 

One solar battery with a power of 80-100 W provides the necessary lighting, operation of a small TV, water pump, and trimmer. And anyone who went to school can handle the installation and connection. There are no “mechanics” in solar panels (in fact, there is nothing to break), tempered, textured glass is used, which does not reflect rays, allows you to collect 15% more scattered radiation, and withstands any hail and wind.

Moreover, the use of  solar panels  as a roofing material is very practical and aesthetically pleasing. In addition to generating electricity, partial shading and lighting of the attic or attic space occurs. Not to mention a self-sufficient gazebo, with lighting, a fountain and multimedia gadgets.

They often say: “In winter there is almost no sun.” I agree, almost not, but:

1. Firstly, in winter, electricity consumption can be reduced. This eliminates the issue with the refrigerator; it is the one that consumes the lion's share of electricity in the summer. You don't mow the grass twice a week with a 750-watt electric trimmer. There is no need to pump barrels of water every day for irrigation with a 550 W pump. Yes, lighting costs increase, but they are usually much less than what a refrigerator or powerful electrical equipment consumes.
2. The solar battery, from dawn to dusk, “silently” does its job even in cloudy weather. Although production in cloudy weather is naturally significantly lower than in sunny weather. But if you come in winter only for weekends and holidays, the question simply does not arise. Energy manages to accumulate in the batteries during your absence.
3. Thirdly, the lower the temperature, the higher the efficiency of the solar battery. Your task is to ensure that there is no snow on the solar panel. This is done by changing the installation angle of solar panels from “summer” to “winter”, which in our latitudes is 70-80º to the horizon.
4. If there is not enough energy, you will still have to start the generator in order to recharge the batteries.

Thus, with a properly designed autonomous power supply system, solar panels can improve the quality of life, living comfort and the cost of obtaining electricity not only in summer, but also in winter.