Photovoltaic Panels
The foundation of every solar system is photovoltaic (PV) panels. Sunlight hitting their surface generates direct current (DC) voltage through the photoelectric effect, a principle discovered by none other than Albert Einstein. Individual solar cells are made of silicon crystals, and when photons of the right wavelength strike them, they release electrons from silicon atoms, creating a flow of electric current. However, a single solar cell produces only a low voltage, which is why multiple cells are combined within a panel to achieve a usable voltage of 40 to 50V. Since silicon is fragile, the cells are laminated between two durable glass sheets and framed with aluminum profiles for easier installation and transportation.
What happens if I don’t use the energy from my panels? A photovoltaic panel behaves like any other electrical power source. If you’re not consuming the energy it generates at a given moment, nothing happens—it simply remains idle. This is a major advantage compared to solar thermal systems, which require continuous cooling to prevent overheating.
What is a string? Since a single panel produces a relatively low voltage (40-50V), multiple panels are connected in series to sum up their voltages and reach the required input voltage for the inverter. This series connection of panels is called a string.
Can you walk on solar panels? PV panels have a durable glass surface, and if they are installed correctly so that they don’t bend under pressure, they can support a person’s weight without any issues.
What are bifacial panels? Bifacial panels have a transparent glass backsheet instead of a standard plastic one, allowing them to capture sunlight from both sides. They are particularly advantageous for ground-mounted systems, pergola roofs, or solar fences. However, the performance gain on a typical residential rooftop is usually negligible.
What are half-cut panels? These panels use solar cells cut in half, effectively doubling the number of cells in the panel and creating three parallel circuits. This design improves performance under partial shading and increases current flow capacity, resulting in better overall efficiency. Nowadays, almost all modern panels are half-cut designs.
Solar Inverter
The inverter is the device that converts the DC electricity produced by solar panels into alternating current (AC) to be used in household electrical systems (230V / 400V). There are three main types of inverters:
For residential solar systems, hybrid inverters are the most common choice because they offer:
- Battery compatibility – The system can store excess solar energy during the day and use it in the evening when household consumption is higher.
- Backup power capability – In case of a grid outage, the battery can supply power to the entire home or selected circuits.
Where should the inverter be installed? This is determined during an on-site consultation. Ideally, the inverter should be placed in a technical room with at least 1m of free wall space from floor to ceiling to accommodate the inverter and additional accessories, such as a future battery. It should also be located close to the electrical panel or another suitable power connection point. In some cases, the inverter can be installed on an exterior wall, but it must be protected from rain and direct sunlight.
Is the inverter noisy? GoodWe inverters use passive cooling, meaning they have no fan and therefore operate silently.
DC and AC Distribution Boards
Photovoltaic panels on the roof can be potential lightning targets during storms, so it is essential to protect the inverter and household appliances from overvoltage. A fuse disconnector and surge protection are installed in the DC distribution board between the panels and the inverter, while circuit breakers and additional surge protection are installed between the inverter and the home’s electrical grid.
Another crucial part of the installation is grounding, which ensures that any lightning energy is safely diverted into the ground, away from the home’s electrical system. For this reason, we install a dedicated grounding terminal that is independently earthed.
Where will the distribution boards be installed? They will be placed near the inverter. We aim for a standardized installation process to ensure consistency, a neat appearance, and to avoid unnecessary improvisation during installation.
Smart Meter
A smart meter is an electricity meter installed at the home’s power entry point to provide the inverter with information about energy flows—how much energy is entering or leaving the home. If energy exports are restricted, the inverter can use this data to generate only as much power as the household currently consumes. If exports are allowed, the information serves as a valuable insight for the user.
What if there is no space in my home’s electrical panel? If the smart meter cannot be installed in the main electrical panel, it can be placed in a weatherproof enclosure near the electricity meter on the property boundary. Communication with the inverter can then be handled via a wireless module.
How does the system work?
The photovoltaic inverter synchronizes with the grid and converts the DC power from the solar panels into AC power, which is then fed into the home’s electrical network. If the household is consuming 5 kW and the inverter generates 10 kW, 5 kW will be used for household consumption, while the remaining 5 kW will be exported to the grid (or to a virtual battery). If a cloud blocks the sun and the inverter output drops to 2 kW, an additional 3 kW will immediately be drawn from the grid to cover household demand. This process happens dynamically in real-time.
In a hybrid system with a battery, any surplus energy is first used to charge the battery before being sent to the grid. When solar generation decreases, the household consumption is covered by the battery until it is depleted.
Excess Solar Energy
Energy exported to the grid provides only partial savings since, even with a virtual battery, distribution fees must still be paid—these fees account for 50-60% of the final electricity cost. That’s why our goal at Antik is to maximize the direct on-site use of solar energy. To achieve this, we develop custom solutions for:
