Solar Photovoltaic panels are designed for voltages higher than 24VDC. How does this work in an EMerge-compliant system?
Most renewable energy sources produce native DC power. Depending on the size of an alternative energy installation, this can range in voltage from under 10 Volts to over 350 Volts. Converting power from one voltage to another (whether it is AC or DC) always generates some efficiency loss. The most efficient conversion is made from one DC voltage to another DC voltage. These conversions are typically made at 98 percent efficiency or higher. So, in an EMerge-type system, a higher voltage DC source input like solar is “stepped down” to lower voltage DC for use in this local distribution system. The overall energy loss will be much less than the typical conversion required for AC power distribution within a building. The Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimates the efficiency gain for direct use of on-site renewable energy without conversion to AC at 10-15 percent.
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