High Voltage

High voltage refers to voltages that are significantly above the level of household voltages in electrical engineering. In photovoltaics, high voltage is particularly used in larger systems and for feeding electricity into the public grid.

Why High Voltage in Photovoltaics?

  • Efficient Energy Transmission: By transforming the direct current generated by the solar modules into high-frequency alternating current and subsequently increasing the voltage, energy losses during transmission over long distances can be minimized.
  • Adaptation to the Grid: The public grid generally operates at higher voltages. To feed solar power into the grid, it must be appropriately adapted.
  • Cost Reduction: Lower transmission losses can reduce the costs associated with transporting electrical energy.

Technical Process

  1. Direct Current Generation: The solar modules convert sunlight directly into direct current.
  2. Inverter: The inverter converts direct current into alternating current and increases the voltage to the desired level.
  3. Transformer: The transformer adjusts the voltage to meet the requirements of the grid.
  4. Feed-In: The generated high-voltage current is fed into the public grid.

Safety Aspects

  • Protective Measures: Due to the high voltages, special protective measures are necessary to protect individuals from electric shocks. This includes insulation, grounding, and fuses, among other things.
  • Proper Installation: The installation of high-voltage systems must only be carried out by qualified professionals.

Relevant Keywords: Photovoltaics, Solar Modules, Direct Current, Alternating Current, Inverter, Grid, Feed-In, Voltage