1. What Will We Do If Our Oil Supply Runs Out?

2. What Will We Do Click here to get an answer! If Our Oil Supply Runs Out?

3. What will we do if our oil supply runs out? Most of our energy comes from oil, or coal. Some scientists say we have enough oil to last a very long time, and others say we don’t. Either way, burning oil in our cars or using it to give us electricity is harmful to our environment… and there is a better way. In the next few minutes or so, you’ll look at and learn about the parts of solar power systems. Solar power can be cleaner and cheaper in the long run, and the more we learn about it, the better off we’ll be! Click here to learn about Solar Power!

4. Solar Power Systems On the next few pages, you can learn about the basic types of solar power systems. You will notice that many of the same parts are used in the different drawings. That’s because the systems have different purposes, but use many of the same parts. Once you finish with one system, you can return to the main page and check out another. Have fun, and learn a lot…our future may depend on it! Let’s learn more about Solar Power!

5. Solar Power Systems Grid Tied Systems Grid Tied Battery Systems Stand Alone Systems EXIT Back to Intro

6. Grid Tied Systems Grid Tied systems are the most commonly used solar power systems today. These systems usually produce more power than the home or business can use, and owners sell it back to the power companies to help pay for the cost of the system. These systems won’t supply power during power outages, however, because of laws designed to protect workmen working on downed power lines. Check out the drawing of the parts of the system on the next page. Let’s learn about Grid Tied Systems!

7. BATTERY UTILITY GRID MAIN AC POWER BREAKER PANEL SOLAR MODULE METER Grid Tied roll your mouse over items to see more information INVERTER Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

8. Grid Tied Battery Systems Grid Tied systems with battery backups are less commonly used because batteries are expensive and have a relatively short lifespan. These systems produce solar power that first recharges the batteries, then sells the rest back to the power companies to help pay for the cost of the system. These systems can supply power to the user during power outages. Check out the drawing of the parts of the system on the next page. Let’s learn about Grid Tied Systems!

9. CHARGE CONTROLLER BATTERIES UTILITY GRID MAIN AC POWER BREAKER PANEL SOLAR MODULE METER Grid Tied with Battery Backup roll your mouse over items to see more information INVERTER Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

10. Stand Alone Systems Stand Alone (Off-Grid) systems are most commonly used where there is no other electrical power available. These systems produce all of the electrical power for the home or business and do not rely on utility power. Because these systems have no connection to the utility grid, they are not affected by power outages. Check out the drawing of the parts of the system on the next page. Let’s learn about Stand Alone Systems!

11. Stand Alone roll your mouse over items to see more information CHARGE CONTROLLER MAIN AC POWER BREAKER PANEL SOLAR MODULE INVERTER BATTERIES Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

12. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Often called a “solar panel”, this is the part of the system that converts the sun’s irradiance into usable voltage and current, otherwise known as electricity! The output of panels are measured in watts (W) and is a Direct Current (DC). These panels are very durable, and most have a 25+ year lifetime. Multiple panels linked together to make more power are called an array. Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

13. Inverter This device uses high speed switches to convert the Direct Current (DC) coming from the modules into usable Alternating Current (AC) for powering the appliances and devices in our homes! Most appliances and home electrical items use AC instead of DC, so the power must be converted so it can be used. These also usually contain battery chargers for recharging the batteries that are used to give us power during power outages or bad weather. Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

14. Charge Controller This component makes sure the batteries don’t drain out (which can destroy them) or that the solar panels don’t overcharge the batteries…and cause them to explode! It does this by constantly monitoring the battery voltage levels and making sure the panels charge them up first before letting power get used in the home. These are very smart units and have a computer to track the maximum power output. Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

15. Lead-Acid Battery Batteries store energy produced by the solar panels for use at a later time when there is no sun to create energy, or there is a power outage. These typically are lead-acid batteries (like car batteries) but are specially designed to be able to be deep cycled (like truck or golf cart batteries). These are very powerful, but you’ll need a lot of these to provide the power your house usually needs to operate! SPARTAN Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

16. Main AC Breaker Panel The breaker panel is located inside the house, and contains safeguards for the wiring systems of the house. This component physically joins the power coming in from the grid and from the solar power system to your house, and is very dangerous! It usually contains circuit breakers, which allow the users to manually disconnect sources of power to different systems inside the house for safety. Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

17. Utility (Power) Grid The source for electricity in most homes, this is usually wired into the Utility Meter, but may be wired directly to the Main AC Breaker Panel. These lines are usually connected on the other end to a coal-fired generation plant near your community. These are extremely high-voltage lines and are very dangerous! Always use caution when you’re near them! Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

18. Utility Meter Usually measures the amount of energy a home uses, but is also used to measure the amount of energy produced by a solar power system. It is almost always located on the outside of the house on the opposite side of the wall from the Main AC Breaker Panel. It measures energy in Kilowatt- Hours (KwH). Back To Go to Main Menu Back To Go to Previous Page

19. What did you learn? How much did you learn about solar power systems? Click on the box below and take a Self-Test. Feel free to go back and re-read about any systems or parts that you don’t get correct! Go to the Self-Test Back To Go to Main Menu

20. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, but cannot make power during outages? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 1.

21. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, but cannot make power during outages? B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Go to next question Back To Go to Main Menu 1. A. Grid Tied

22. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, but cannot make power during outages? C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 1. A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery See what you missed

23. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, but cannot make power during outages? B. Grid Tied with Battery D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 1. A. Grid Tied C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) See what you missed

24. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, but cannot make power during outages? B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) See what you missed Back To Go to Main Menu 1. A. Grid Tied D. Utility Grid

25. Grid Tied Systems Grid Tied systems are the most commonly used solar power systems today. These systems produce more solar power than the home or business can use, and sell it back to the power companies to help pay for the cost of the system. These systems won’t supply power during power outages, however. Try it again

26. Which kind of system is designed to be a self- contained system, making solar power for a home or business, without relying on the utility grid? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 2.

27. Which kind of system is designed to be a self- contained system, making solar power for a home or business, without relying on the utility grid? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Go to next question Back To Go to Main Menu 2.

28. Which kind of system is designed to be a self- contained system, making solar power for a home or business, without relying on the utility grid? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 2. See what you missed

29. Which kind of system is designed to be a self- contained system, making solar power for a home or business, without relying on the utility grid? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 2. See what you missed

30. Which kind of system is designed to be a self- contained system, making solar power for a home or business, without relying on the utility grid? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid See what you missed Back To Go to Main Menu 2.

31. Stand Alone Systems Stand Alone (Off-Grid) systems are most commonly used where there is no other electrical power available. These systems produce all of the electrical power for the home or business and do not rely on any utility power. These systems have no connection to the utility grid, and are not affected by power outages. Try it again

32. Which component of a solar system captures the energy from the sun and sends it to the rest of the system to be turned into useful electricity? A. Charge Controller B. Inverter C. Lead-Acid Battery D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Back To Go to Main Menu 3.

33. Which component of a solar system captures the energy from the sun and sends it to the rest of the system to be turned into useful electricity? A. Charge Controller B. Inverter C. Lead-Acid Battery D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Back To Go to Main Menu 3. Go to next question

34. Which component of a solar system captures the energy from the sun and sends it to the rest of the system to be turned into useful electricity? A. Charge Controller B. Inverter C. Lead-Acid Battery D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Back To Go to Main Menu 3. See what you missed

35. Which component of a solar system captures the energy from the sun and sends it to the rest of the system to be turned into useful electricity? A. Charge Controller B. Inverter C. Lead-Acid Battery D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Back To Go to Main Menu 3. See what you missed

36. Which component of a solar system captures the energy from the sun and sends it to the rest of the system to be turned into useful electricity? A. Charge Controller B. Inverter C. Lead-Acid Battery D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module See what you missed Back To Go to Main Menu 3.

37. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Often called a “solar panel”, this is the part of the system that converts the sun’s irradiance into usable voltage and current, otherwise known as electricity! The output of panels are measured in watts (W) and is a Direct Current (DC). These panels are very durable, and most have a 25+ year warranty. Multiple panels linked together to make more power are called an array. Try it again

38. Which component of a solar system stores the energy from the sun so that is can be used later when there is no sun, or there is a power outage? A. Utility Meter B. Lead-Acid Battery C. Charge Controller D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Back To Go to Main Menu 4.

39. Which component of a solar system stores the energy from the sun so that is can be used later when there is no sun, or there is a power outage? A. Utility Meter B. Lead-Acid Battery C. Charge Controller D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Go to next question Back To Go to Main Menu 4.

40. Which component of a solar system stores the energy from the sun so that is can be used later when there is no sun, or there is a power outage? A. Utility Meter B. Lead-Acid Battery C. Charge Controller D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Back To Go to Main Menu 4. See what you missed

41. Which component of a solar system stores the energy from the sun so that is can be used later when there is no sun, or there is a power outage? A. Utility Meter B. Lead-Acid Battery C. Charge Controller D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module See what you missed Back To Go to Main Menu 4.

42. Which component of a solar system stores the energy from the sun so that is can be used later when there is no sun, or there is a power outage? A. Utility Meter B. Lead-Acid Battery C. Charge Controller D. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Back To Go to Main Menu 4. See what you missed

43. Lead-Acid Battery Batteries store energy produced by the solar panels for use at a later time when there is no sun to create energy, or there is a power outage. These typically are lead-acid batteries (like car batteries) but are specially designed to be able to be deep cycled (like truck or golf cart batteries). These are very powerful, but you’ll need a lot of these to provide the power your house usually needs to operate! SPARTAN Try it again

44. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, and can store power for use during power outages? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 5.

45. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, and can store power for use during power outages? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Go to “Last Words" Back To Go to Main Menu 5.

46. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, and can store power for use during power outages? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 5. See what you missed

47. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, and can store power for use during power outages? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid Back To Go to Main Menu 5. See what you missed

48. Which kind of system is designed to make solar power during the day that can be sold back to the power company to help pay for the cost of the system, and can store power for use during power outages? A. Grid Tied B. Grid Tied with Battery C. Stand Alone (Off-Grid) D. Utility Grid See what you missed Back To Go to Main Menu 5.

49. Grid Tied Battery Systems Grid Tied systems with battery backups are less commonly used solar power systems because batteries are expensive. These systems produce solar power that first recharges the batteries, then sells the rest back to the power companies to help pay for the cost of the system. These systems can supply power to the user during power outages. Try it again

50. “Last Words” Hopefully, you’ve learned something about the different types of solar power systems, and the components that make them up. Feel free to return to the main menu and go over anything you might want to learn more about. In our next session, you’ll be introduced to the ways we design solar systems for homes and businesses. While we do this, we’ll look at ways to reduce our energy usage! See you there! Go to Designing Solar Power Systems Back To Go to Main Menu

51. Resources: http://homepower.com/basics/solar/ This is Homepower magazine’s website, and contains a virtual plethora of information about renewable energy systems, including solar power. http://www.solarenergy.org/workshop/introduction -renewable-energy-free-online-course This is from Solar Energy International’s website. They’re an online source of certification courses designed to prepare individuals for careers in the solar design and installation industry. http://aessolar.com/ This is the home website for a local solar power installation company, located in Pomona with an office in Carbondale. The owner provides instruction in theory and installation through classes at John A Logan College.