Photovoltaics - photovoltaic installer

What is photovoltaics?

Photovoltaics is a field of science. It deals extensively with the conversion of sunlight into electricity, generating electricity from solar radiation. Photovoltaics is applicable despite its high costs. It is very important for environmental, but also practical reasons.  

How are photovoltaic panels made?  

The main raw material used in the manufacture of photovoltaic panels is a silicon wafer, but necessarily a crystalline one. A single panel is capable of generating up to almost 7 volts of current. To increase the effects, the panels are combined into modules. One of the greatest advantages of the panels is their lifespan, which is predicted to be guaranteed for up to 25 years.  

What are photovoltaic cells made of?  

They are mostly made of silicon, which changes from an insulator to a conductor through energy. It all depends on the degree of ordering of the crystalline structure of the silicon. We can distinguish between three varieties of cells:  

• Monocrystalline cells - built from silicon with a highly ordered structure devoid of numerous defects. This type of silicon has the highest efficiency in converting solar energy into electricity.  
• Amorphous cells - in this case, the silicon is not in crystal form and its structure is very chaotic and has many defects, which contributes to the low efficiency of the modules.  

Where are photovoltaic cells used?  

They are most commonly used in single-family homes, but are also used in traffic lights or signal buoys. Photovoltaic cells also perform very well in consumer electronics such as calculators, garden lamps, traffic sign lights, but also in powering telemetry systems in natural gas, oil or electricity metering stations.  

Weather resistance  

Photovoltaic panels that are of good quality can withstand high temperatures and freezing temperatures. Heavy rainfall or hail will not prevent them from supplying electricity efficiently.  

In order to determine the hail resistance of the panels, a special IEC 61215 certificate was created. This means that panels which have this certificate are able to withstand 25mm hail balls, which corresponds to hail resistance class 2. All panels sold in Poland, as well as throughout the European Union, have this certificate and are therefore hail resistant.  

A specially conducted report certified that thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorms cause a slight decrease in power, it is only 10%, but the total system power decreases by less than 1%.  

How does it work - how does energy from the sun get into our electrical sockets?  

The current created in the modules goes to an inverter. Its task is to convert the current into alternating current, which has the same parameters as those found in our electrical sockets. Another task of the inverter is to control the operation of the photovoltaic installation, meaning that it continuously adjusts the parameters of the generated current to the parameters of the home grid and, in addition, shuts down when it detects any failure.  

Is it worth taking a job as a photovoltaic installer? What duties await him/her? 

The high demand for this type of service offers job prospects for at least several years. A photovoltaic installer is a new profession on the market. A suitable building, whether residential, building or beauty salon, must be ready to receive solar energy and convert it into electricity. The fitter's job is to install the solar panels in the right way, connect them to the inverter and connect it to the home's electrical system.  

What education and qualifications are needed?  

Education, in this case, is not relevant, unlike qualifications. The photovoltaic fitter should have a UDT (Office of Technical Inspection) certificate, which will be valid for 5 years.  

An SEP category E and D licence is also required. These are qualifications that allow you to work with live equipment. In addition to this, it is also important to take a course as a photovoltaic fitter and to pass a state examination.  

Technical and general construction knowledge can be very useful. The installer, when installing the panels, interferes with the roofing. He should know how to do it properly. It is also worth making sure that we can work at heights, this skill and the absence of contraindications are essential, as most photovoltaic installations are roasted on roofs.  

Can the profession of photovoltaic installer be a profession of the future?  

The use of renewable energy sources is increasingly popular. Ecology and caring for the planet are increasingly observed among young people as well as companies. As part of climate protection, there are plans to phase out coal altogether. Due to high electricity prices, many households are choosing to install photovoltaic panels. This real saving keeps expenses under control.  

This demand will grow, so the demand for photovoltaic panel installers will also grow.  

What are the wages of a photovoltaic installer? 

Since demand is increasing, the number of applicants is also increasing. However, as in all industries, earnings depend on a number of factors. In the fitter's profession, the most important are:  

• experience;  
• qualifications - a novice fitter can be an assistant to a qualified fitter and gradually gain experience;  
• form of employment;  
• province;  
• possible bonuses.  

This all adds up to a potential salary and varies depending on the activities performed. It is also worth remembering that this is seasonal work. 

Are photovoltaic installations really safe for the environment?  

Photovoltaic installations make use of an impossible energy source: the sun. By using the sun's resources, it will never run out. An additional plus is that photovoltaics emit absolutely no harmful substances or liquids into the atmosphere. The installations do not make any sound from themselves, so they do not impede the functioning of either humans or animals, nor do they consume other resources. Once laid, they stay for years.