solar controller

solar controller

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If you were to check your monthly expenses, you will notice your power utility bill is the second largest next to your home bank mortgage. Electricity is very important because all of our home electrical equipment run on it.

Due to high energy cost, many home owners are considering using a residential solar power system to reduce their home energy consumption. How does a solar power system works on a residential unit?

A home solar system is quite simple actually. There are only a few main components such as the solar panels, charge controller, battery bank and power inverter. There are few other smaller components such as meter gauges, AC circuit breakers and cables.

Generally, the system works by using the solar panels to capture the energy of the sun. This is done by using Photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cell is a semi-conductor material which will generate an electric current when exposed to sun light.

A solar cell is capable of producing only a small amount of current. Nonetheless, when you join multiple cells together in series, the power output will be sufficient to charge a battery unit.

Charging of the battery is managed by the charge controller. The charge controller will take the current from the solar panels and store it into the battery.

The type of battery used for a home solar power system is the marine type or deep cycle battery. Deep cycle battery is more durable and can be discharged to a very low level without damaging its internal components.

How many units of battery do you need for a residential dwelling using solar energy? The actual number will depend on the power requirement. For a small home with 2 bedrooms, 4 - 6 units of batteries will be sufficient to provide the power needed.

Since all battery can only store Direct Current (DC), the power inverter will be used to convert the DC to Alternate Current (AC). AC will be used to run all the electrical appliances at home.

To tap into the electricity generated by the solar system, all you need to do is run an extension cable from the power inverter around your house. Connect multiple power outlets to the cable for easy access.

Building a home solar power system is a simple process if you know how to read electrical wiring diagrams. If you have no idea how electricity works, it is best you outsource the whole project to a professional solar contractor.

When outsourcing, be prepared to pay a premium for the system. A custom designed home solar power setup can cost upwards of $40,000. For a cheaper alternative, you can always opt for a Do It Yourself (DIY) solar system.

Looking for more ideas on how to use solar power at home? Learn how to build your own DIY solar system by downloading a free copy of "30 Solar And Wind Power For Homes Videos" e-book at http://www.diysolarenergy.info/.

solar charge controller