Continuation...
**Steps**
3. Understand the basic components of a solar
power system.
Solar cells, organized as and protected in solar
panels . These are the flat devices that convert
light into electricity. The cells generally produce a constant voltage, but current varying continually with the amount of light; the panels' voltage and wattage (power output, under good conditions) depends on how the cells are arranged in them. This uneven power is not very useful for operating other devices on its own, and could even damage them, so it should be fed to a....
* Charge controller. A charge controller is a
system of electronic components that smooths out the flow of electricity from the solar panels to, and regulates the discharge of electricity for use from a...
* Battery. A battery is a set of galvanic cells
which stores electricity. (Colloquially, the term
can refer to a single cell, such as an AA battery, or a set of many, such as a 9-volt battery or car battery; a solar-power system usually uses multiple cells for increased voltage more practical for the other components to handle.) A solar power system uses rechargeable batteries for a store of energy to avoid interruptions and to provide electricity when sun is not available or a lot of energy, stored over time, is needed for a short time. Power can be drawn directly from the batteries (or, better, through the charge
controller, which regulates their discharge to
protect them). But it can be converted from
usually low-voltage direct current from the
batteries into higher-voltage (usually 120 or 240 volt) alternating current suitable for mass-
market, typically inexpensive and good,
appliances with an...
* Inverter. An "inverter" is a system of electronic components that converts direct current into alternating current, and typically incorporates a system to raise the voltage, too.
An Inverter may be combined with a charge controller as a single unit. From the inverter (if not directly from the batteries or charge controller), power flows to the...
*Appliances , the lights, electronics, tools,
gadgets, and so forth you want to run. It gets
there through...
*Wiring. Choose a kind appropriate for the
voltage and current involved. If you have a
simple system with only a few dedicated
devices such as low-voltage lights, they may be connected directly to the wires. Otherwise, for a variety of appliances, you'll want...
*Outlets. Switches and other miscellaneous
electrical components. Your system will be
most versatile and inexpensive to expand if the
voltage and connector type is that generally
used for appliances in your area. The electricity is just electricity, not very different from that made in other ways; common principles of electrical installation and maintenance and installation apply. In case any of this goes wrong, you'll be glad you had...
Circuit breakers or, less conveniently, fuses and other fail-safe devices such as thermal overload protection in major components such as the...
*charge controller or fuse box. These cut off
power or even sacrifice themselves to help
prevent electrical problems from escalating into fires. If consumable devices such as fuses are used, make sure spares are on hand and available.
4. Decide what attributes are most important to your solar power system.
There are trade-offs involved.
*Simplicity. A single unit or all-inclusive kit with detailed instructions would be good if additional components or good technicians are not readily available in your area.
*Service life. Although all quality solar equipment should be fairly long-lived, extra-long-lasting equipment, like simple equipment, is well suited to inaccessible areas where getting things, rather than just their own cost, is a major cost or difficulty. (This problem can be mitigated by keeping a stock of spare parts that do not go bad on their own, such as light bulbs or outlets, but that doesn't work for parts that decay whether or not used, such as batteries.)
If you are in a relatively inaccessible area, a return policy or warranty is not a great substitute for consistent high quality often
indicated by a good reputation, because getting the "free" service or replacement
will be difficult.
*Durability. If you don't live in a sturdy, weather-sealed house, or will leave an entire device out to charge, make sure all components are appropriately protected against moisture or exposure to weather with seals and, where appropriate, drain holes. (This is easiest with more-integrated components or standalone devices.) If your area has a crime problem, check that exterior components in particular, including a standalone device itself or its removable charging panel if considered valuable in your area, can be mounted securely somewhere relatively inaccessible (such as a high roof) and are made of tough, vandal- resistant components (for instance, having extra-strong glass or clear plastic over panels).
*Capacity. Bigger, more expensive system
components can make, store and deliver more
electricity. Adding more power to a particular
task often has diminishing returns: for instance, bigger light bulbs make a more pleasing ambience though they may not make simple tasks much more efficient. But more power also lets one do new and very useful additional kinds of tasks, such as operate a computer, power tools or even a Microwave.
*Efficiency. More efficient appliances do more
with a given amount of electricity. Sunlight itself is free, but the solar power equipment with which to process makes each unit of energy a cost overall significantly more than that provided by most electric utilities, so efficiency is important. www.facebook.com/grinsystems
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