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.
Don’t feel to intimidate by the options or complexity of the different systems it is really very simple. Remember you can start with a simple system and then add to it over time, as and when your experience and knowledge increases.
PV Solar Panels
Solar cells are placed in direct sunlight, and they transform daylight into electricity. Unfortunately, they produce DC power, so we have to change this to AC power. It doesn’t matter how many solar cells or solar panels you connect together. Really, you want to connect as many as possible. Follow this link find out more about how to build a solar panel.
You connect all the panels together so they are inline. A bit like having a string of fairy lights, and the light bulbs are the solar panels. That is why you can have as many panels as you like and the more you have the electricity you generate.
DC Disconnect
As the electricity flows from your panels, the first component it hits is the DC disconnect. It is important if you want to do some maintenance on your system as it switches on and off the flow of electricity to your solar powered system.
Charge Controller
If you are using a battery bank to store any unused electricity then I strongly suggest you fit a charge controller to your system. If a battery gets over charged it can become damaged. A charge controller is designed to protect your batteries.
Battery Bank
Read up on the different types of batteries and get familiar with them. The type you need is deep cycle. These batteries are often used in forklift vehicles. Do not use car batteries.
Batteries also perform better when they are warm. Do not expose them to the elements; keep them in a garage or some sheltered building. A battery box is also a good investment, they keep your batteries at a good temperature and also protect them from accidental damage.
System Metering
The way to know how much power you are producing, how much you are using and how much is left in your batteries, is to use a system meter. You don’t want to work blind, they don’t cost very much are really worth their weight in gold.
DC Disconnect to the Main Supply
The main DC disconnect is used to turn off the power from your battery. It is placed in-between your battery bank and your inverter. Again it is very handy if you want to do any systems maintenance.
AC DC Inverter
Batteries and solar panels output a direct current. However, all your appliances in your home use AC current. We convert DC to AC using the inverter and so all your electrical home appliances work without any problems.
Petrol Generator
You can get petrol and diesel powered generators. If you live in a house that does not have an electric utility supplier then this is a good option to add to your system. A backup generator does not only secure your energy supply should something go wrong, it can also recharge your batteries during cloudy days or at night.
Alternating Current Breaker Panel
The AC breaker panel is where you feed the electricity you produced back to the national grid. Every house has one of these; however, you are not allowed to touch it. You have to get the electric company to come along and wire it up for you.
Whatever you do, do not wire it up yourself. You can get into a lot of trouble, and it isn’t worth the hassle. The utility company will find out in the end..
Home Kilowatt per Hour Meter
As with the breaker panel, you will also have a KWH meter. The meter measures your electric usage and your bill is calculated based on the figures from this meter. So if you send power back to the grid, this will go in reverse.
Video on Different Aspects Of Building Your Own Solar Panel
Learning to build a solar panel is the first step. The second step is to design a system that will work in your home. Check out build a solar panel and learn all you need to know about building the right system for your house.
