Solar Energy supports a decentralised system just the way Blockchain technology does. Solar energy helps in distributing power instead of sending to a power grid that redistributes. Recently, for me to benefit from this decentralised power distribution, I used my Steemit earnings to buy and install an off-grid solar system at home. I got a solar panel, with a DC battery and an inverter. Steemit has really contributed in helping me achieve my dreams.
Installation of solar panels on a roof top, I could not get an image of my roof top | Image Source
There are many reasons why an off-grid solar system is preferred to other forms of energy. For the purpose of this writeup we will just consider a few. First let's have a look at how it works.
How does an off the grid solar system work?
Solar panels or solar modules are installed together in what is known as a solar array. Modern solar panels are made up of many solar cells or photovoltaic (PV) cells which generate direct current (DC) electricity from sunlight or energy from the sun.
The technician going to install the solar panel on the roof top | He requested I do not snap his face:)
It is real best you pay a professional to help with the installation. Because if it is not properly installed, you may encounter errors that could have been avoided.
The solar panel I bought:)
The primary reason I got the solar system is because the sun shines minimum of 12 hours everyday in most places. The sun is what can be trusted unlike other forms of energy. During the day it is the sun that makes light possible, even when the weather is not very sunny the solar panel still charges. The point is that the rate of charging is directly proportional to the intensity of the sun at that particular time.
Longterm, off-grid solar system is cheaper when compared with traditional energy. The only time an expensive amount will be paid is at the initial stage - when installing and getting the needed materials. It is possible to get a 100W solar panel for about $270. My plan is to get an additional solar panel every six months, that way within a few years I'll have the number needed to completely power a house. Currently I own only one, so it can not really do much, but with it I have 24/7 light, can charge my phone, laptops and some other devices.
Solar energy distribution | Image Source
Using off-grid solar systems, I do not rely much on the distribution transformer connected to my home for electricity distribution which experiences "line loss" from time to time. For a very long time, the world has relied on a centralised distribution of electricity, in generation, storage and distribution. But an off-grid solar system offers a solution, where your neighbours electricity supply does not affect yours. In a decentralised system, when one part fails it does not affect another.
How the components actually looks like | Image Source
An off-grid solar system is as flexible as it can get. You can easily replace or repair a component without affecting the entire system. Unlike in traditional electricity supply where a fault in the distribution transformer could affect many homes and some parts are very expensive so cannot be easily replaced.
The off-grid solar system reduces power losses. Supply of electricity from a distribution transformer to your home will experience power losses before it gets to you. In decentralised systems, electricity is given directly to those who needs it.
Environmental friendly | Image Source
When talking about being environmental friendly, an off-grid solar system is your best bet. An off-grid solar system does not lead to air pollution or that of land because of it uses solar energy which is renewable and directly from the sun.
Previously in the series, Solar Energy: A Solution to Epileptic Power Supply
