How & Why a Solar Power Inverter is Used

0

Posted by admin | Posted in House and Home | Posted on 27-05-2009

A solar power inverter forms an important part of any home solar energy system which supplies enough electricity to get you off the grid.

The inverter converts direct current, which is produced by a solar panel, into alternating current.

There is also a charge controller, which can use excess power to charge your system’s battery, and provide energy without any waste.

In some cases, solar power might be your best solution, if you want to get your home running off the grid. It is also relatively simple to install, and doesn’t require a large quantity of parts and components, in order to produce electricity.

Each system is different, but generally speaking, all you need is:

  • A solar regulator or charge controller
  • Your wiring
  • A set of solar panels
  • A battery to store electricity in

Solar panels usually produce 12 to 24 volts DC. Some appliances can run on this power, but most home appliances require 110 or 220 volts AC.

This is where a solar power inverter is needed. It converts the direct current into alternating current.

What is direct current? Direct current, or DC, flows continuously in one direction, while alternating current changes in its direction of flow.

Alternating current (AC) is used because it is a type of electricity which can be carried over longer distances, with minimal energy loss . Oddly enough, however, most household appliances have built in devices which convert the AC into DC, in order to operate.

Various types of solar inverters can be found on the market currently. You might come across some which are pretty cheap. But keep in mind that these might be inferior in quality. Some inverters get warmer when in use – and that heat adds up to a loss of energy.

Different solar inverters use different “loads,” as well. The “load” is the amount of current or energy that the inverter can handle. For home use, you might want to get a solar inverter that can handle a couple of hundred watts, at any given time. These aren’t always cheap, but they will be worthwhile in the long run.

Possibly the best choice of solar inverter is the true sine wave. This type of inverter produces power identical to what you would receive from the main supply grid. When viewed on an oscilloscope, the waves are smooth.

If the true sine wave is beyond your budget, you might settle for a modified sine wave. This gives a lesser quality power than the true sine wave does, but is less expensive.

Getting Completely Off the Grid

If you are looking to get your home running off the grid completely, then get a “stand-alone power system inverter.” With this type of device, you plug the deep cycle batteries in – and it can be installed by virtually anyone.

You can also get a “mains grid inverter,” which draws power from your solar panels, and at the same time feeds excess energy back to the main grid. In some states, you can earn money back from the power companies when you produce excess power and feed it back to the grid.

Installing a Solar Power System in Your Home

When installing a partial or complete solar energy system into your home, there are generally two ways to go about it.

1.Hire a professional installation company to install your system

2.Do it yourself.

The least expensive choice is the latter – do-it-yourself.

There are many high-quality and popular do-it-yourself guides available, which will teach you how to install your own solar power or wind power system at home. These guides often include manuals, instructional videos, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions. For more information on these guides, please see DIY Solar Power.

You can find solar inverters and related solar power products at Solar Power Inverter.

Source: Solar Power Inverter

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • TwitThis
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • Pownce
  • MySpace
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • blog traffic exchangeUsing Solar Power When you think that of solar power you think of heating and lightweight for your home. That is one in all the many things that we tend to use solar power for. Solar power is everywhere and it's growing everyday. There are totally different product that are created using solar......
  • blog traffic exchangeFive Points To Consider Before Buying DIY Solar Power Kits With energy bills skyrocketing, both businesses and homeowners are seeing solar power as a workable alternative. You can easily add this type of renewable energy to your system by purchasing a DIY solar power kit. That said, it's important that you be familiar with five important aspects before making such......
  • blog traffic exchangeEfficiency Improvements And Solar Power Generating Systems The low cost of fossil fuels in the United States has been the biggest obstacle in the trek to improve solar power efficiency; yet recent price increases have renewed the interest in finding an alternative source for powering the country. In 1979, then-President Jimmy Carter held a meeting on......
  • blog traffic exchangeBenefits You Should Know About Solar Roof Panels If you do not want to spend a lot of money building your own solar panels, after read this article, you will know how. But you need to be prepared to learn new things. To build the solar panels you can be helped by your friends and family, so......
  • blog traffic exchangeSolar Power Efficient Appliances Solar power is the newest in saving the world and conserving our energy. Solar power is energy made from the sun and has great results when you employ both energy and conservation. With solar power changing into more popular there is also the necessity for solar power products. Individuals are......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • blog traffic exchangeSolar Powered Radio Station In Taos, New Mexico. Because my wife and I fell in love with Taos, NM during our trip this past spring, I always enjoy reading about Taos and what is happening there. I read about real estate, art exhibits, what restaurants are good, etc...yes, it might seem strange seeing as how I don't live......
  • blog traffic exchangeSolar Power For Houses - A Project You Can Do Yourself by Davion W. If you want a great way to power up your home naturally, consider solar power for houses. By this, it means that you will be utilizing energy from the sun. This, indeed, is a great solution to the rising electricity costs as well as the poor health......
  • solar-garden-lightsSolar Garden Light Vs. Traditional Outdoor Light Outdoor lighting is not only important for the safety and security of your family, it can also be an integral part of your landscaping, adding beauty and curb appeal to your property.  When it comes to adding lighting to your outdoor spaces, you have the choice between types of lights......
  • blog traffic exchangeThermal Solar Power Systems by Walter Hull The term thermal solar power refers to systems that convert solar radiation into useful heat. This is also referred to as passive solar energy. It is a different type of system from solar power electricity, and whose usefulness should not be overlooked. The uses for thermal solar......
  • The Ways Of Solar Power If you pay attention to the news or information on the environment you have heard about solar power. But how does solar power work and what is it? These are popular questions. What you should know is that solar power is energy from the sun's radiation that is converted into......

Write a comment

Security Code:

BQ