Solar Electric Power

Electrical energy can be supplied to RV’s, homes, and commercial buildings by solar electric power.  Different types of solar electric power systems can be applied for different uses, sometimes it is quite obvious which one to use and other times you might have to make a choice.

For example, take a solar power system to be used for a remote vacation home, an RV, or even a  portable power system.  For any of these you probably want a stand alone system that is on the small side.  This is cheaper as this type of system has a smaller number of batteries and solar panels than the bigger systems.

During the day, the solar panels collect energy from the suns rays and this energy is stored in the batteries for later use.  An inverter is required to turn the batteries’ 12-volt DC power into the 120-volt AC power of common most appliances.

A lot of the people whose homes are currently connected to the utility grid will choose a grid-tie solar power system.  This provides the best of both worlds - the reliability of the utility power along with the cost savings of the solar power.  There may also be incentives and tax breaks for those who buy these systems.

The grid-tie solar electric power system must change DC To AC so it can be used with the utility grid. Homeowners can use the grid without sunlight. They usually do not store energy in energy cells. Energy cells can be used in case grid fails.

For those who wish to be freed from the utility grid, a complete stand-alone system is best.  This is the most environmentally-friendly of solar power systems.  This system uses no fossil fuels, most others use them directly in a generator or indirectly from a utility company.

The smaller stand-alone system is less complicated than the complete stand-alone system.  The complete system contains more inverters, usually two, so there will be enough current to run larger items such as air conditioners.  It becomes clear as to have two inverters when one needs maintenance.  The other can supply basic needs while the other is down.

The stand-alone system is frequent in places where the utility grid does not reach.  This is because it is costly with many solar panels.  Batteries are also needed to store plenty of energy for any contingency.

Hybrid systems combine a  backup generator with solar power.  Generators can be diesel, regular gas or propane gas.  The hybrid systems use fewer panels, because the generators are there for when not enough power is collected.

With all the different choices, it should be easy to find a type of solar electric power system that’s perfect for you..  It’s about assessing needs to determine which system will work best.