What is AC and DC electricity?
- AC and DC electricity are different from each other
- Solar panels generate DC electricity
- Solar inverter is required to convert DC to become AC electricity
Introduction to AC and DC electricity.
Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) are a form of electrical current. You’ll find that both AC and DC keep appearing in many solar PV articles! And there is a good reason for that, as AC/DC currents are both found in a solar PV system.
Why are AC and DC electricity so important?
Our homes and electrical grids in cities are wired for AC. This is because AC cabling network costs less to build while suffering less losses over distance compared to DC electricity. So most of our electrical appliances work with AC. However, solar PV modules generate electricity in DC. This is due to semiconductor joints characteristics, which are found in solar PV modules, to generate electricity in DC.
How to convert DC to AC electricity?
In order for our electrical appliances to use the electricity generated from solar PV systems, we require a solar inverter to convert DC to AC. Batteries however store energy in DC, so if we were to add a battery storage into a solar PV system design – it would be situated after solar PV panels and before a solar inverter. So that the battery storage gets charged with DC before the solar inverter converts to AC.
Conclusion.
With that, we conclude this part of the DISCOVER SERIES on AC and DC electricity. Don’t forget to ask for workmanship warranty if you’re having a solar PV installed. It would be advisable to get an extended warranty or a coverage plan if possible for your solar PV system– it’s worth it. Until next time and thank you for reading!
Our DISCOVER SERIES: Solar PV Systems articles are filled with basic information in an easy-to-understand format to get you knowing more about solar power systems quickly. Here’s the complete series:
What are solar power systems and how they work?
What are solar cables & wiring?
*T&C where applies. The views expressed by the author, are of the author’s own and do not represent the opinions of any entity with which the author have been, am now, or will be affiliated.
Further reading.
Double tax exemption.
Double tax relief from CAPEX for businesses going solar.
Further reading.
Do you know if solar is right for you?
Get a free, non-obligatory solar assessment today.
Get a quote.