< back to Is Solar Viable

Solar Power Explained in 60 Seconds
Solar power is any one of many technologies that convert the energy in sunlight to a transportable energy medium such as electricity or hot water. For simplicity, solar technologies or methods can be broadly grouped as being either "thermal" or "photovoltaic". Thermal systems are generally used to produce hot water, most typically in residentially applications for domestic hot water demand. The fundamental principals, however, can also be augmented and applied to huge utility-scale systems where the steam generated from concentrated thermal solar collectors drives electricity generation turbines.

The other broad type of solar, photovoltaics (or "PV") is the technology that converts light directly into electricity. The iconic roof-mounted solar panel that most people associate with solar power is PV. Photovoltaics for commercial grid-tied systems are the focus of Eos Energy Solutions.

PV technology is based on the unique properties of some semiconductors to convert solar radiation to electricity. The conversion occurs between sets of solar cells, typically comprised of high-grade crystalline silicon. These cells individually produce a relatively small direct current – in general illustrative terms, less than a household 9 volt battery. The cell sets are grouped in large assemblies to create modules (or panels). A typical PV module may have about 40 cells and it is a little larger than a standard 2x4 acoustic ceiling tile. A number of panels are then combined to create an array. A residential array may be as small as 200 square feet, while some of Eos' larger commercial arrays are over 10,000 square feet. The composite power generation capacity of the thousands of cells in a large array can be enough to power a commercial facility – and with no moving parts, noise, or emissions.

Most PV systems (and nearly Eos designs) are "grid tied", meaning they are directly connected to the utility power grid. These systems use a special "net meter" that measures total facility load, PV power production, and power consumed from the grid. In other words, most PV systems offset the power consumption from the grid – they do not provide 100% of a facility's power demand, nor do they limit how much power a facility can purchase from the grid during times of peak demand.

How much of a facility's power is provided by its PV system depends on the size and efficiency of the system, as well as the power load required by the facility. For example, a highly energy efficient office building with a large PV array may produce 75% of its power needs, while a manufacturing facility with the same size array but a much larger demand profile may be producing only 10% of its total power needs. PV systems can be sized and configured to almost any application. Initial capital investment amount and available roof areas are typically the prime limiting factors for sizing. PV systems can be configured with inverters that allow grid connection for single or three phase systems, and at all common voltages.

Solar Power is Already Mainstream
PV power is not new, nor unusual. In Germany, Japan, and Southern California, grid-tied PV systems are ubiquitous. World-wide production of PV power in all forms is now... read on>