How Does The Different Parts Of A Home Solar Powered System Work With Each Other?
To build a complete solar electric generating system for your house, you will need to source ten generic parts. 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.
It doesn’t really matter where you start. 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. 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.
Direct Current (DC) Disconnect
You want you solar panels connected to a Direct Current (DC) disconnect. You do not want to undertake any maintenance on your system while there is electricity flowing through it. The DC disconnect switches of the power generated by your solar panels.
Battery Charge Controller
A charge controller is very important to have if you are using batteries to store electricity. If you have a charge controller, this will protect your batteries from becoming over charged. Over charging will reduce the life of your batteries.
Batteries
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 put them outside, they need to be protected from the weather and covered. A battery box is also a good investment, they keep your batteries at a good temperature and also protect them from accidental damage.
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. You don’t want to work blind, they don’t cost very much are really worth their weight in gold.
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.
AC DC 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. We convert DC to AC using the inverter and so all your electrical home appliances work without any problems.
Diesel Generator
You can get petrol and diesel powered generators. You will want one of these if you are not connected to the national grid. The generator can produce electricity when there is no sun or when the batteries are run down.
AC Breaker Panel
The AC breaker panel switches off the flow of electricity either from the grid to your home or your home to the grid. Every house has one of these; however, you are not allowed to touch it. Which means, when you are ready, arrange for them to connect your solar energy system to the grid.
It makes sense really, if you get this bit wrong it can be very costly, and you don’t want to end up with the blame for anything.
KW per Hour Meter
As with the breaker panel, you will also have a KWH meter. This what the electricity company uses to record how much electricity you have used.
Once you know how to build a solar panel you now need to source all the other components to build a complete system to power your home. Go to Build a Solar Panel and discover how to build a complete system to power your home.
When you build a solar panel, it is very important that you have the right plan before you start. Planning ahead will save you time and money, and it needs to include a manual, tools and component parts.
If you require a more detailed explanation on how to build a solar panel, visit How to to Build a Solar Panel on a Tight Budget.
Solar cells
Depending on what size solar panel you are going to build, will dictate how many solar cells you are going to need. You can always buy solar cells of the shelf but this can be expensive, an alternative is eBay or find a local company that uses solar cells in their products. There are many companies who use solar cells to power road signs, their signs suffer from wear and tear and are chucked in the skip. These companies don’t repair the actual cells, they just replace them. So you can salvage them and use them in your panel.
Plywood – 15mm Thickness
The plywood is the main part of the construction of your solar panel. Choose your plywood with care, you want a quality piece which is nice and flat. Plywood is susceptible to the elements, so later we will give it a coating of a UV protector paint.
Hard Wood
If you can afford hardwood then get this as it will last longer when left outside at the mercy of the elements and again we will treat it with a UV protector to enhance the lifecycle of your solar panel.
Flexi-Glass
Flexi- glass is used to protect the solar cells and all the electrical wiring. Some people like to use special glass that has the ability to collect infrared light. This is expensive but it will make your solar panel more efficient as the infrared feature will allow you to convert the suns energy in cloudy conditions.
Tabbing or Soldering Wire
Tabbing wire is great for connecting the different solar cells together and so making a complete solar panel assembly. The wire is made from tin and is known as tabbing wire.
Silicone Gun
Silicon is used to make the solar panel water tight by filling the gap between the flexi glass and the wooden frame. The second advantage is that it has some glue like properties and so can be used to secure the solar cells to the plywood.
Wiring Solder
You use solder to connect the copper wires together. The solar cells produce the current, and this current is then carried from the solar panel to your home and connecting to the inverter or batteries depending on which system you have employed. Sometimes the tabbing wire lifts of the backing board or cell, you can use the solder to stick it back down again.
Flux Pen
A flux pen is used to assist the tabbing wire to stick to the solar cells. The flux is applied to the zone where the tabbing wire is to be positioned, the tabbing wire is then assembled with the aid of a soldering iron which melts it in place.
UV Wood Protector
To give your solar panel assembly as longer life as possible, it is recommended that the frame which holds the flexible-glass in place and the plywood be given a coating of UV protection.
Volt Meter
The volt meter is used to test each cells output as it is assembled to the board. As you add more cells, so the output should increase.
To find out about the best way to build a solar panel take a look at how to Build a Solar Panel on a shoe string.
