DIY solar power system components

!: DIY solar power system components

With energy costs today, solar energy is becoming increasingly popular. The industry has an annual growth of over 30%. Would cost 10 thousand dollars for a commercial system installed a complete stay, a lot of small start and do it themselves can be saved. Even the smallest system will contribute to a smaller electric bill.

Solar systems can be on or off the grid network can be classified. grid-connected systems are connected to thethe environment and the power of solar panels to generate electricity. Off-grid systems are not a supplier of energy, including a bank of batteries to store energy so that energy made available when the sun is not available connected. There are also hybrid systems that power lines are attached and the battery.

The various Components of a solar system are explained below.

Solar Panel

The main component of aDIY solar system is the solar collector. Each panel consists of many individual photovoltaic (PV) cells. A photovoltaic cell is a small device that converts sunlight into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. These cells are also called solar cells. Since the individual cells, only a relatively small amount of electrical energy, they must be connected to other cells, to provide services practice. Solar cells are mechanically mounted on a solid substrateare then combined to reduce the amount of energy needed get connected. The substrate is added in a frame, a weatherproof coating of glass or Plexiglas mounted.

Several solar cells are then fixed on a support to form a solar panel array. The network can be attached to a roof, a pole or even placed on the floor. The situation of the whole must be in an area that most directly sunlight with minimal shadow.

Solar Battery

Batteries storeexcess energy from solar panels to be used at night or when the sun is not available. Batteries are electrochemical devices. Their performance is a function of climate, temperature, charge / discharge cycle and history of old age. Although there are different battery technologies, lead-acid batteries are the best performance per dollar and the type most often used in solar systems.

The battery capacity is to be designed in ampere hours at a given voltage. So a 100Ampere-hour 12-volt battery with 12 volts at 1 ampere for 100 hours offer. A battery bank should be sized to store energy for the operation of 5 days without sun. The type of battery should be of type "deep cycle". This means that the battery in a position most of their output is before recharging. A car battery is of type "shallow cycle" and is not good for solar energy applications.

Solar Power Charge Controller

ToTo extend the battery life, a controller, which is normally required. The main function of a controller is to prevent the battery from charging. A controller Monitors the battery voltage and reduces or stops the charge current as the voltage increases. If the battery voltage to control the flow increases to the battery charge. Controllers by the amount of current they can handle assessed. It is a good idea to install the first timeController with a larger capacity if you plan for future expansion of the system. More control is not usually cost more.

Solar inverters

Tool Battery (DC) by solar panels. An inverter converts direct current low voltage battery to a higher voltage, like 120 or 240 volts, the power supply can. The UPS also provides the utility frequency is 60 hertz (cycles per second) to the United States. He has alsoprovides a sinusoidal (sine) wave form is required for most electronics. The UPS should be adequate to handle the power of the system required. Branded inverters are very reliable and have an efficiency of about 90%.