How Does The Various Items Of A Diy Photovoltaic Solar Powered System Perform Togther?

How Does The Various Items Of A Diy Photovoltaic Solar Powered System Perform Togther?

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There are ten different components that make up a solar powered generating system. Depending on what type of system you want to implement will depend on whether you use some or all of them.

Just to emphasize that point. For example, we talk about having a diesel generator as a back-up system, but you don't to have to start off with one, and you can add it at a later date if you think it is necessary.

PV Solar Panels

These solar panels face the sun and convert the suns energy into power. Unfortunately, they produce DC power, so we have to change this to AC power. You can connect as many panels as you like together, this is called a solar panel array.

They are connected in series so the flow of electricity is from to the next one in line. With this design, it is very easy to add more panels as and when you build them.

DC (Direct Current) Disconnect

The energy you produce flows to the DC disconnect. It is important if you want to do some maintenance on your system as it switches on and off the flow of electricity to your solar powered system.

Charge Controller

If you have a battery backup or a battery bank then a charge controller is a must have piece of equipment. If a battery gets over charged it can become damaged. A charge controller is designed to protect your batteries.

Battery Bank

Be careful about what type of batteries you use to store electricity. You want to use deep cycle batteries like the ones they use in forklift trucks. Do not use car batteries.

Keep the batteries warm, that way they work better. Do not expose them to the elements; keep them in a garage or some sheltered building. The other thing you might want to think about is getting a battery box. They are great for protection and keeping batteries warm.

Solar System Meter

Your solar system meter is, in effect, your dashboard. It tells you the amount of electricity you are generating, consuming and how much is stored in your batteries. If you don't have one you do not know if you are producing enough electricity or not.

DC Disconnect to the Main Supply

The main DC disconnect is used to turn off the power from your battery. You want to locate it between your battery and your alternating current and direct current inverter. Again it is very handy if you want to do any systems maintenance.

DC To AC Inverter

Solar panels and batteries produce a DC current. The problem is, many if not all your electrical gadgets in the home use an alternating current. So the inverter converts the DC into an AC current so everything works as it should.

Petrol Generator

Check out the many types of fossil fueled generators. You will want one of these if you are not connected to the national grid. A backup generator does not only secure your energy supply should something go wrong, it can also recharge your batteries during cloudy days or at night.

AC (Alternating Current) Breaker Panel

The AC breaker panel is where you feed the electricity you produced back to the national grid. Although all houses have them, only the electric company is allowed to wire them up. So you need to book an appointment for your utility supplier to wire it up to your solar panels.

Don't be tempted to do it yourself, it is a criminal offence for unqualified people to touch these panels, and you want it to be done correctly..

Home Kilowatt per Hour Meter

All homes which are on-grid are fitted with a kilo watt hour meter. This is how you record how much electric is consumed within your home. You can also see how much you are sending back to the grid.


About the Author:
The first step is to build a solar panel, after that we have to design a home electrical system for it to work with. Visit Build a Solar Panel and discover how to build a complete system to power your home.



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