If you want to install a solar power system to power your home, but do not know where or how to start, then here are some brief descriptions of the common equipment used in the system. That will help you understand the basic components of the system and how they function.
What exactly does solar power mean?
Solar power is the process of collecting the energy generated by the sunshine on the specified surface area and then converting that collected energy into usable electricity for houses and structures. This type of alternative energy uses photons or rays of solar energy and heat from the sun to absorb energy, which in turn generates electricity.
One of the most effective methods of using solar power systems, that involves the photovoltaic cells (they are be made up of photovoltaic panels).
Home solar power systems Defining Component
Solar Cells:
The most effective part of the photovoltaic system is the photovoltaic cells. PV cells, which is a square or a disc made of semiconductor material that generates voltage and current when exposed to sunlight.
Solar Panels:
Photovoltaic panels are the basic part of a solar panel system. The power that PV panel product is Direct Current (from now no referred to as DC) but the power that most of home appliances utilize are alternating Current or AC.
If you want to have a fully independent solar system capable of storing energy, you will also need to install a charge controller and some of Deep-cycle Batteries.
Start by build a PV panel from individual PV cells. As you create additional panel, you will connect them together to create the necessary sized array for the electricity needs of your home.
Array DC Disconnects:
The DC Disconnect is a necessary maintenance element of any residential solar panel system. The DC disconnect will be used to easily and safely interrupt the flow of electricity from the array of solar panels.
Solar Charge Controller:
From the solar panel the electrical current flows into a charge controller. This unit is in essence a regulator of energy. It is a customizable unit that regulates the flow of energy “to the batteries” and prevents energy being pulled “from the batteries” at nighttime or in cloudy weather. Depending on the size of the solar array you may spend anywhere from about $25 to over $100 for your charge controller(s).
The charge controller can be programmed to stop the flow from the batteries, when they reach a certain depth of discharge (DOD). The DOD is typically no less than 50% of the batteries capacity. The further you discharge a battery on a regular basis, It will be shorter the lifespan of a battery.
Batteries:
The batteries are a crucial component of your off-grid system. This is what will be powering your appliances when the sun goes down or behind clouds. In stand-alone systems, the power generated by the PV panels is usually used to charge a lead-acid battery.
Types of Solar Electric Systems
1. Portable solar power system – If you’re thinking of setting up a system for homes that you want to use just for running certain appliances that are either AC or DC, and will not be plugging it directly to your home alternating current system, here are the list of materials you will need:
- PV Panels
- Charge Controller
- Deep Cycle Battery
- Inverter
This system is ideal for camps and trips. It is extremely easy to install and can be pays for itself in a few short months.
2. Grid-Tied Solar System – The basic components of this system are the solar panels and the inverter because this type is mainly used of residential purposes, i.e. in houses in which appliances are mostly AC powered.
With this type of system, depending on the amount of independence our solar system. You can select whether or not install batteries because the utility grid to which you are connected will act as a power reserve.
3. Off Grid Solar System – They are fully self-sufficient. However, this one does not have power storage. Instead, it has generator – usually gas or diesel powered- that supplies DC power at night or in adverse weather. This system is convenient to use when the sun cannot keep the battery charged as in uses a generator.
Solar Power Systems Demystify
As you can see, the anatomy of the solar energy systems is not that complicated. All of the parts have a purpose, and once you understand the individual tasks that each part performs, the whole thing makes a bit more sense now.
It is clear now that solar power is the best solution for our energy needs. The only problem that arises is the high upfront costs. Purchasing a popular commercial solar energy Systems can run you up to $16.000, not include installation cost. Most of us cannot afford to it, but as mentioned in the introduction of this site, we will give you the other way.
Today, solar energy supplies electrical power for more than 100 million homes worldwide. Solar power is the clean, cheap and sustainable way of producing your own energy. It is time for you to be part of the change that our planet needs in order to be saved. Start with yourself and pave the path for the future generations.
If you have decided to generate your own clean power, and protect yourself from rising energy costs, please check out Green DIY Energy. They will offer videos and step-by-step instructions on how to make your own solar electric systems, also give you the option to order them on DVD-ROM.
For more about how to install solar power for homes, click here.
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Hello everyone, I'm an engineer from San Francisco in the USA. I’m very passionate about all types of renewable energy, including solar and wind power. Anything that’s good for mother earth, then I’m all for it. 
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