Once you have built your solar panel array. You now need to connect them to a system that will allow you to either use, store or feed to the grid the electricity you have generated. You probably have a rough idea of what you want your finished system to look like, but plan very carefully. Know exactly how many watts of energy you need and how many watts of energy your solar panels are capable of producing.
Transportable Solar Powered Generators
This is the simplest of all the systems. It only consists of four components – a battery or batteries, inverter, solar panel and the charge controller.
Remember that as you make or purchase additional solar panels, these can be added to the system at a later date. Solar panels supply electricity as Direct Current. Your appliances use an Alternating Current, so the inverter converts DC to AC.
You can store excess electricity in batteries, because once electricity is produced it has to be used, so use it or lose it! Do not use standard auto battery, use a deep cycle battery.
Grid-Tied Solar Generator
If you are connected to the national electricity grid then you should definitely consider this system. Instead of storing the excess electricity in batteries, you feed it to the national grid. This has the effect of reversing your meter and so your electric utility supplier will credit you on your bill.
After you build a solar panel, you will appreciate how easy they are to make. Let’s say you build a solar panel a week and over a year you built 40 of them. You will be sending so much electricity back to the grid, that you can make a nice little income on-the-side to supplement all your other household bills.
On-Grid Solar Power Generator with a Battery Store
To cover all basis you may want a battery backup system integrated with you grid tied solar system. For example, if it is a cloudy day and you are using some DIY tools which demand a lot of electricity. The battery system will store any previously unused electricity and so instead of tapping power from the grid you use your batteries.
Off-Grid Solar Power Generator
If you are not connected to the grid then you will want to have a battery bank of some considerable size. By doing so you will not waste any of the electricity you have generated.
Batteries perform better when they are warm so it is wise to invest in a battery box and keep them in your garage. Not only does the battery box keep your batteries warm they also prevent them from being tampered by children or animals. If a dog weed on a battery it would do a lot of damage let alone what it might do to the dog!
You may already have a generator to power your home. If you do, I suggest you connect this to your system as well, it can charge your batteries should they start to go flat.
Different Types of Solar Powered Systems For the Home
- Off grid setup + generator + battery bank
- Grid tied setup + battery bank
- Solar panel with a battery backup
- Off grid system
- Off grid with just a battery backup
Understand more about how to build a solar panel as well as uncovering tips to optimize producing power for your appliances visit build a solar panel.