Complete solar panel wiring diagram
Solar panel installation: 8 diagrams to explain everything
Understanding how photovoltaics work is not always easy. Because a drawing is better than a long speech, discover how solar panels work, through a series of illustrations.
From the photovoltaic cell to the self-consumption system, passing through the assembly of the panels, you will discover, thanks to the images, that solar energy is not as complex as one might think.
Solar photovoltaic: 3 diagrams to understand everything
From photon to electricity thanks to the photovoltaic cell
How does the photovoltaic cell make it possible to produce electricity using the sun? To answer this question, here is a cross-sectional diagram of a photovoltaic cell. We see that it is composed of two layers of silicon, one positively charged and the other negatively. Sunlight is made up of photons.
When a photon passes through the photovoltaic cell, it creates a hole in the upper layer, which is negatively charged. This then generates an electrical voltage with the lower layer, which is positive. The photons are therefore collected by electrical contacts located on the surface. Electricity is thus produced in the form of direct current.
The photovoltaic system: solar panels, but not only
Quite simply, a solar panel system is made up of several photovoltaic modules. In turn, each module is made up of several photovoltaic cells, the operation of which you know from our first diagram. For the solar panels to work, a whole " photovoltaic system " must be set up around them. This is called the B.O.S., or "Balance Of System". The fixing system, the charge regulator, the wiring are examples of elements of the B.O.S. Together they allow the photovoltaic system to function.
The inverter is also an important element of the B.O.S., since it converts the direct current of the panels into alternating current. It is only the latter that allows domestic consumption.
The current produced is routed to the main distribution panel to which all of your electrical equipment is connected.
The B.O.S. also includes:
A fixing system for solar panels, designed to withstand environmental constraints and the weight of the panels. Each panel weighs, in fact, around twenty kilos!
Cables, connectors and protections used to connect the panels together and to connect the assembly to the other components.
A charge regulator that controls the current delivered by the panels. The latter can be integrated into the inverter.
A supervision system to control the overall proper functioning of the installation.
A production counter to monitor the production of the installation.
Circuit breakers (preferably with high immunity)
A distribution panel.
The list of equipment to be provided may seem elaborate, but don't worry, when you choose to install a photovoltaic system in your home, you are often well accompanied by professionals. With ENGIE, for example, formulas allow you to find the installation best suited to your needs, thanks to the advice and expertise of the teams.
From the choice of equipment to the installation, you are never on your own! You are also guaranteed to obtain a state-of-the-art system, durable and developed with the best equipment on the market.
Two ways to assemble photovoltaic modules
As you have understood, for solar panels to work within a photovoltaic system, several modules are needed, connected to each other. There are two ways to connect them: in series or in parallel. These two options are quite different, and you will need to use one or the other depending on your needs.
The assembly of photovoltaic modules in series
When connecting photovoltaic modules in series, this adds the voltages, while maintaining the same amperage. It normally takes place between modules of the same amperage. Otherwise, the assembly aligns with the lowest amperage.
For a series connection, the positive poles of one module must be connected to the negative poles of another module.
Installation of photovoltaic modules in parallel
When mounting modules in parallel, it is the intensities (amperage) that add up, while the voltage (voltage) remains the same. The result is therefore the opposite of a series connection. It is normally carried out between modules of the same voltage, in order to avoid any risk of overvoltage or short circuit. The intensities can be different, since they add up. This type of connection is used you want high intensity.
For a parallel connection, the positive terminals must be connected together. The same is true for the negative terminals.
When installing a photovoltaic system in your home, technicians will guide you to choose the system best suited to your needs.
Diagrams to understand the installation of self-consumption solar panels
If you choose to consume your electricity production, you have two choices:
Self-consumption with resale of the surplus.
Self-consumption with electricity storage.
Let's see how these two systems work through diagrams.
Self-consumption with resale of surplus
If you choose self-consumption with resale of the surplus, here is how it works. The electricity you produce during the day is first used by the electrical equipment in your home. If the production is higher than your consumption, then the surpluses are redirected to the network and are sold directly to the operator (EDF OA). The sale price is guaranteed for 20 years.
Your inverter distributes the electrical load. Indeed, when the production of your photovoltaic plant is not enough to supply your equipment, the missing electricity is drawn from the supplier's network. Conversely, when you produce more than you consume, this surplus is redirected to the supplier's network. This is called smart photovoltaic self-consumption.
The system is therefore connected to two meters, one for production and one for consumption. It may possibly be a so-called "bi-directional" meter, which counts both production and consumption. To simplify the reading of the productions sold and consumed, as well as the electricity purchased from the operator, you generally have an application that allows you to monitor these various data in real time. In a few clicks from your smartphone or computer, you can therefore know exactly where you are with your consumption and your production.
ENGIE My Power responds perfectly to this mode of local production and consumption.
If you wish to consume your own electricity production, including when the sun is not shining, it is possible. It is then necessary to have a system with battery.
During the hours of sunshine, it stores the surplus electricity not used by the equipment of the house. When the panels no longer produce or produce enough electricity to meet the demand of the local circuit, the battery takes over.
The advantage of this system is that you do not depend on the electrical network to operate your devices.
Complete solar panel wiring diagram
Solar panel installation: 8 diagrams to explain everything
Understanding how photovoltaics work is not always easy. Because a drawing is better than a long speech, discover how solar panels work, through a series of illustrations.
From the photovoltaic cell to the self-consumption system, passing through the assembly of the panels, you will discover, thanks to the images, that solar energy is not as complex as one might think.
Solar photovoltaic: 3 diagrams to understand everything
From photon to electricity thanks to the photovoltaic cell
How does the photovoltaic cell make it possible to produce electricity using the sun? To answer this question, here is a cross-sectional diagram of a photovoltaic cell. We see that it is composed of two layers of silicon, one positively charged and the other negatively. Sunlight is made up of photons.
When a photon passes through the photovoltaic cell, it creates a hole in the upper layer, which is negatively charged. This then generates an electrical voltage with the lower layer, which is positive. The photons are therefore collected by electrical contacts located on the surface. Electricity is thus produced in the form of direct current.
The photovoltaic system: solar panels, but not only
Quite simply, a solar panel system is made up of several photovoltaic modules. In turn, each module is made up of several photovoltaic cells, the operation of which you know from our first diagram. For the solar panels to work, a whole " photovoltaic system " must be set up around them. This is called the B.O.S., or "Balance Of System". The fixing system, the charge regulator, the wiring are examples of elements of the B.O.S. Together they allow the photovoltaic system to function.
The inverter is also an important element of the B.O.S., since it converts the direct current of the panels into alternating current. It is only the latter that allows domestic consumption.
The current produced is routed to the main distribution panel to which all of your electrical equipment is connected.
The B.O.S. also includes:
A fixing system for solar panels, designed to withstand environmental constraints and the weight of the panels. Each panel weighs, in fact, around twenty kilos!
Cables, connectors and protections used to connect the panels together and to connect the assembly to the other components.
A charge regulator that controls the current delivered by the panels. The latter can be integrated into the inverter.
A supervision system to control the overall proper functioning of the installation.
A production counter to monitor the production of the installation.
Circuit breakers (preferably with high immunity)
A distribution panel.
The list of equipment to be provided may seem elaborate, but don't worry, when you choose to install a photovoltaic system in your home, you are often well accompanied by professionals. With ENGIE, for example, formulas allow you to find the installation best suited to your needs, thanks to the advice and expertise of the teams.
From the choice of equipment to the installation, you are never on your own! You are also guaranteed to obtain a state-of-the-art system, durable and developed with the best equipment on the market.
Two ways to assemble photovoltaic modules
As you have understood, for solar panels to work within a photovoltaic system, several modules are needed, connected to each other. There are two ways to connect them: in series or in parallel. These two options are quite different, and you will need to use one or the other depending on your needs.
The assembly of photovoltaic modules in series
When connecting photovoltaic modules in series, this adds the voltages, while maintaining the same amperage. It normally takes place between modules of the same amperage. Otherwise, the assembly aligns with the lowest amperage.
For a series connection, the positive poles of one module must be connected to the negative poles of another module.
Installation of photovoltaic modules in parallel
When mounting modules in parallel, it is the intensities (amperage) that add up, while the voltage (voltage) remains the same. The result is therefore the opposite of a series connection. It is normally carried out between modules of the same voltage, in order to avoid any risk of overvoltage or short circuit. The intensities can be different, since they add up. This type of connection is used you want high intensity.
For a parallel connection, the positive terminals must be connected together. The same is true for the negative terminals.
When installing a photovoltaic system in your home, technicians will guide you to choose the system best suited to your needs.
Diagrams to understand the installation of self-consumption solar panels
If you choose to consume your electricity production, you have two choices:
Self-consumption with resale of the surplus.
Self-consumption with electricity storage.
Let's see how these two systems work through diagrams.
Self-consumption with resale of surplus
If you choose self-consumption with resale of the surplus, here is how it works. The electricity you produce during the day is first used by the electrical equipment in your home. If the production is higher than your consumption, then the surpluses are redirected to the network and are sold directly to the operator (EDF OA). The sale price is guaranteed for 20 years.
Your inverter distributes the electrical load. Indeed, when the production of your photovoltaic plant is not enough to supply your equipment, the missing electricity is drawn from the supplier's network. Conversely, when you produce more than you consume, this surplus is redirected to the supplier's network. This is called smart photovoltaic self-consumption.
The system is therefore connected to two meters, one for production and one for consumption. It may possibly be a so-called "bi-directional" meter, which counts both production and consumption. To simplify the reading of the productions sold and consumed, as well as the electricity purchased from the operator, you generally have an application that allows you to monitor these various data in real time. In a few clicks from your smartphone or computer, you can therefore know exactly where you are with your consumption and your production.
ENGIE My Power responds perfectly to this mode of local production and consumption.
If you wish to consume your own electricity production, including when the sun is not shining, it is possible. It is then necessary to have a system with battery.
During the hours of sunshine, it stores the surplus electricity not used by the equipment of the house. When the panels no longer produce or produce enough electricity to meet the demand of the local circuit, the battery takes over.
The advantage of this system is that you do not depend on the electrical network to operate your devices.
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