Did you know that there are 10 various parts that are required to make a complete solar powered system for your home? However, it doesn’t necessarily follow that you will have all the items built into your system. You can start off simple and add to it as your requirements change.
Just to emphasize that point. For example, if your home gets electricity from the national grid, it doesn’t mean you have to hook your system up to it if you don’t want to.
Photovoltaic 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. Go crazy and build loads of solar panels because you can connect an unlimited amount together. Follow this link find out more about how to build a solar panel.
You connect all the panels together so they are inline. A bit like having a string of fairy lights, and the light bulbs are the solar panels. The more panels you have, the more energy you produce.
DC (Direct Current) Disconnect
You want you solar panels connected to a Direct Current (DC) disconnect. This is a vital piece of kit as it switches off the electricity generated by your solar panels. This now allows to carryout maintenance on any other part of your system.
Charge Controller
If you are using a battery bank to store any unused electricity then I strongly suggest you fit a charge controller to your system. If a battery gets over charged it can become damaged. A charge controller is designed to protect your batteries.
Batteries
Learn about the various types of batteries that are available. The type you need is deep cycle. These batteries are often used in forklift vehicles. Do not use car batteries.
Keep the batteries warm, that way they work better. If you don’t have room in the house for them, make them a shelter outside, never leave them exposed. Furthermore, consider investing in a battery box which will help keep them at the optimum temperature.
Solar System Meter
A system meter is very useful for telling you how much electricity you are using and how much power is left in your batteries. Without a system meter, you are working blind.
Main Supply DC Disconnect
If you have a battery bank then you will need a main Direct Current disconnect. It is placed in-between your battery bank and your inverter. This turns off the power from your batteries, which then allows you to undertake any preventative maintenance.
Alternating Current (AC) Direct Current (DC) Inverter
Both the battery bank and the solar cells generate a direct current. The problem is, many if not all your electrical gadgets in the home use an alternating current. We convert DC to AC using the inverter and so all your electrical home appliances work without any problems.
Petrol Generator
There are various types of electric generators to choose from. If your home is off-grid then it is definitely worth considering adding one of these to your system. The electrical generator can provide a backup to your solar powered system should it be down for maintenance or if the batteries are low.
AC (Alternating Current) Breaker Panel
If you have a utility supplier, you will have a AC breaker panel. This is where the electricity from the national grid enters your home. Only your electricity supplier is allowed to touch these panels. 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..
Electric Meter
All homes which are on-grid are fitted with a kilo watt hour meter. The meter measures your electric usage and your bill is calculated based on the figures from this meter. So if you send power back to the grid, this will go in reverse.
Video on Different Aspects Of Building Your Own Solar Panel
The first step is to build a solar panel, after that we have to design a home electrical system for it to work with. Check out build a solar panel and get full instructions on how to put it all together.
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