The Nevada Solar Periodic Table of Elements

Temperature coefficient of the maximum output power max (Tc):

This is the amount of energy lost when equipment overheats. Just like any other electronic device your solar panels can overheat. This will cause the equipment to work harder than it needs to and burn out. You want to make sure that your panels are well ventilated so the air around it can help cool it off. Is temperature coefficient considered in solar panels’ output predictions at point of assessment? +1

Power Optimizers (Po):

Power optimizers increase the energy production of your panels. You can have optimizers placed on the back of your panels to increase their efficiency. Is your panel’s DC electricity optimized before sending it to the inverter? +1

Material absorption (Ma):

Each panel absorbs specific wavelengths of light. Some wavelengths have more energy than others and are able to create an electric current as a result. Is enough energy generating to efficiently knock electrons from their weak bonds and create an electric current through the panels? +2

Wafer (W):

A wafer is a slice of semiconductor used to capture wavelengths from the sun. In the refining process of a semiconductor such as silicon to a wafer and then a solar cell, there is some waste that can be prevented. Is the solar panels’ manufacturing process reducing large material losses of the wafer’s silica substrate semiconductor material? +2

N-type semiconductor (Nt):

N-type semiconductors have extra electrons. These extra electrons give it the name negative semiconductor. When atoms have extra electrons they give them up to atoms that are missing electrons. This exchange of electrons creates a current. Are the negative bases of the solar cells efficiently engaging with the positive top of the conduction process? +1

P-type semiconductor (Pt):

P-type semiconductors don’t have enough electrons. Their electron deficiency draws the extra electrons from the n-type semiconductor to it. These semiconductors are called positive semiconductors. Is the positive semiconductor of the panels effectively attracting the negatively charged electrons? +1

Poly-crystalline Panels (Pc):

Poly-crystalline panels have many silicon crystals. The many crystals create fragments which limits absorption of the panels. You can tell if a panel is poly-crystalline by its color. The many crystals create a bluish tint. Is your installer relying on outdated/inefficient solar panels? -2

Mono-crystalline Panels (Mc):

Mono-crystalline panels have one continuous crystal structure. Because there is only one crystal there is more uninterrupted space. This uninterrupted space can absorb more wavelengths. It is for this reason that mono-crystalline panels don’t need to be as big. Is your solar company using high-quality panels in manufacturing and design? +2

Thin Film Panels (Tf):

Thin film panels have a light layer of semiconductor painted on either metal or glass. These panels tend to have better efficiency in partially sunny and humid climates. Is your Reno solar company using panels that are better for a different climate? -2

Pitch (P):

The pitch of your roof is determined by the angle of it. This is calculated by the number of inches the roof rises every 12 inches. Will the solar panels needed fit your Nevada home with a light-absorbing southward-facing pitch? +1

Front contact (Fc):

The front contact is a conductive material that touches the top cell. It can be transparent or metal. Transparent front contacts don’t hinder light from hitting the cell. There is some resistance because metal and semiconductors are next to each other in a panel. Ideally panels should have as little resistance as possible. The contacts help electricity move between semiconductors. Are the resistances on the front contact reduced? +1

Back contact (Bc):

The back contact is a conductive material that touches the bottom of the cell. Just like the front contact the back contact enhances the transfer of electrons. Are the resistances on the back contact reduced? +1

European Manufacturing (Em):

Products made in Germany are known for quality. Not all companies that claim their products are made in Germany are though. To ensure quality make sure that the panels are german engineered. Does your Reno solar company use German-engineered panels? +1

Asian Manufacturing (Am):

Not all Asian solar manufacturers are bad. There are, however, some who have produced lower quality products. To be safe make sure that your panel manufacture has high standards for their processes. Is your Reno solar company relying on Asian-imported solar cells? -1

Balance of System (Bs):

This entails all the system parts aside from the panels. This balance is between the DC power generated and the AC power it is being converted to. When installing a solar array you need to make sure that all the parts balance. Is everything other than the solar panels ‘balanced’ and installed correctly? +2

Mounting system & railing (Ms):

Your mounting system holds your panels in place. Without them you would have a very insecure system. Is the railing and mounting on your home simple, solid, and secure? +1

Solar Charge Controller (Sc):

A charge controller disrupts the flow of electricity. If you have a system that is being run by batteries you need a charge controller. A charge controller will stop the battery from over charging or losing electricity. Is charging of deep cycle batteries optimized to keep electrical currents from percolating through the panels without sunlight? +1

Microinverters (Mi):

A microinverter is a small device attached to the back of each panel. They convert DC electricity to AC at each panel. A microinverter runs off the more efficent panels when other panels have shade. If you have a home with shading issues this may be your best option. If microinverters aren’t installed correctly they can overheat your panels decreasing their production. Is the microinverter mounted directly behind each panel? +0

String inverter (Si):

String inverters convert the total power produced in one spot from DC to AC. These inverters are used by most installers because they are easier to install and cheaper. Go Solar Group also includes a secure power supply with their SMA string inverter. Is the string inverter properly installed and unobstructed atop the roof of your home? +1

Battery Backup (B):

Battery backup allows you to power your home without the grid. You can still be connected to the grid if you want, but battery backup can power your entire home. Go Solar Group is a tesla power wall installer. Could you get through a Power Outage? +2

Inverter (I):

Inverters convert the direct current from your solar panels into alternating current. This is necessary because most home appliances use alternating current electricity to run. Your inverter and your panels have power ratings. To maximize your production of electricity you need to make sure your inverter isn’t too large or small for your system. Is the inverter custom-selected and tailored for your home? +1

Disconnects (D):

The DC disconnect interrupts the electricity flowing from your panels. The AC disconnect interrupts the current emitted from your inverter to your home and grid. Disconnects turn off the current generated by your panels. Firemen will turn off both the DC and AC disconnects in an emergency. Are AC and DC disconnects readily accessible when needed? +1

Conduit (Ct):

Conduits protect wires from being damaged. Most conduits are made either of pipes or tubing. Are extra conduits used for an install requiring extra durability and mechanical strength? +1

Flexible conduit (Fc):

Flexible tubing is used in areas that require more bend. This pliable tubing is also called flexible conduit. Has your Texas solar installer used a flexible conduit for areas at high risk of vibration? +1

Combiner box (Cb):

A combiner box merges strings of panels together. The combiner box is then connected to the inverter so all the electricity can be changed to AC at the same time. Is the output of several solar strings brought together in synchronicity through the combiner box? +2

Azimuth (A):

Azimuth is the angle of an object in comparison to the sun. Has your Reno solar installer utilized the right azimuth angle, which can increase panel efficiency by as much as 35%? +1

Net meter (Nm):

Is the net meter, which measures how much power you don’t use and push back to the grid, properly-sized based on your system’s wattage? +1

Storage (S):

Storage is a place where your excess energy is stored so you can use it later. Could you produce power during a Reno solar eclipse? +1

Installation Crew (Ic):

Do you have a full-service solar company that can help you with solar powering a pool, shading, and different inverter types? +2

Not a Contractor (Nc):

Is your selected ‘solar company’ just a contractor that understands only one or two parts of the solar process?-2

Power Efficiency (Pe):

This is how much of the available solar energy that can convert into usable electricity. Has your solar company stated your chosen system will generate clean solar energy for 35-40 years? +2

Production Warranty (Pw):

Production warranties protect the customer from faulty equipment. These warranties insure that panels will convert a certain percentage of the energy from the sun for a set amount of time. Are you guaranteed 90 percent efficiency after 10 years and 80 percent after 25 years. +2

Service Warranty (Sw):

Service warranties cover dysfunctional components of your solar array. Does your Reno NV solar company offer a 10-year service warranty as part of its free solar quote? +1

Warranty Length (Wl):

Are your system’s service and production warranties longer than or equal to competitors’ offers? +2

Software monitoring (Sm):

Has your solar installer explained the web connectivity light and its monitoring purpose? +1

Charge controller (Cc):

Is the charge controller (the bridge between the solar panels and the batteries of the system), efficiently transducing the electrical current? +1

System efficiency (Se):

System efficiency is the total energy that you can get from your array. There are many factors that go into your efficiency aside from your panels. Is your system designed and warrantied to maximize the potential solar savings you can earn? +2