Backup Power Systems
Back-up power refers to smaller solar- or grid-powered systems which are used in times when utility or grid power is unavailable..
Without an auxiliary source of power (like solar panels, a wind turbine or a gasoline engine), you can charge your Back-up Power System's batteries if you are connected to utility company power lines. Deep cycle batteries are kept charged by grid power when it is available. If the grid goes down, you draw power out of the batteries to run your essential appliances.
You may have an electrician re-wire some house circuits so that certain loads are permanently backed up, or you may simply plug appliances in with an extension cord.
Look at complete back-up power systems.
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Call Wholesale Solar for pricing and spec's on back-up power systems.
1 (800) 472-1142 |
 Solar electric panels—a.k.a. solar modules, photovoltaic (PV) panels
Pointed towards the sun, solar panels capture the energy in sunlight and convert it directly to DC electricity. There are three general families of solar panels on the market today—single crystal silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and thin film. More on the different types.....
PV modules are very durable and, because there are no moving parts, long-lasting. Most carry 25 year warranties. Solar panels are assigned a rating in watts based on the maximum power they can produce under ideal sun and temperature conditions per hour. You can use the rated output to help determine how many panels you need. Multiple modules mounted together are called an array.
 Array Mounting Rack—a.k.a mount, racks, trackers
Mounting racks provide a secure platform to keep your panels fixed in place and oriented correctly. Panels can be mounted on your roof, atop a steel pole set in concrete, or at ground level. The type of rack you choose will vary considerably depending on your budget, climate, building codes, and personal preferences. In areas where it snows a lot, you may want to be able to sweep the snow off periodically.
 Array Combiner/DC Disconnect
The DC disconnect is used to safely interrupt the flow of electricity from the array of solar panels. It is an essential component when system maintenance or troubleshooting is necessary. The disconnect enclosure houses an electrical switch rated for use in DC circuits. It also may integrate either circuit breakers or fuses, to combine the electricity of multiple sub arrays of solar panels.
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 Charge Controller
The Charge Controller operates the array at its maximum efficiency and feeds the electricity into the inverter after the battery bank is filled to capacity. A charge controller also protects the battery bank from overcharging. When the battery bank is fully charged, the controller interrupts the flow of electricity from the PV panels. Batteries are expensive and lose potency when under or over-charged, so the controller extends the life of the batteries. A charge controller built into a grid-tie inverter uses maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to optimize the array's output, increasing the energy it produces.
 Battery Bank
The battery bank is where the electricity is stored from the solar panels and sometimes from the power company electric lines. This is the power supply center and determines how long you have power if there was little sunlight for consecutive days or if the utility grid power goes out. Batteries are large part of the cost of a solar powered system so it is important to choose the rest of the solar powered system to optimize battery life. Batteries last the longest when they are properly maintained and not under- or over-charged.
 Inverter
The inverter transforms the solar-produced DC electricity into the AC electricity commonly used in most homes for powering lights and appliances. Grid-tie inverters synchronize the electricity they produce with the grid's "utility grade" AC electricity, allowing the system to feed solar-made electricity to your home and to the utility grid.
Battery-based inverters for off-grid or grid-tie use often include a battery charger, which is capable of charging a battery bank from either the grid or a backup generator during cloudy weather.
 Meter
Bidirectional KWH Meter, a.k.a. your electric meter. Most homes with grid-tied system will have AC electricity both coming from and going to the electric utility grid. A bidirectional KWH meter can simultaneously keep track of how much electricity flows in each of these two directions. This is information you need to monitor how much electricity you are using AND how much your solar electric system is producing. The utility company will probably supply this meter, but you may have to pay for it. |
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