| We are always getting asked questions about | | | | indefinitely. |
| how solar panels are actually integrated into the | | | | The controller can also detect when no energy is |
| home to supplement your electricity usage or to | | | | coming from the solar panels and disconnect the |
| replace your energy provider. | | | | panels to stop reverse current flow. |
| Here are a few typical questions and our answers. | | | | Question: Why do I need batteries? |
| Question: Why are commercially available panels | | | | Basically, they are the storage device to store |
| so expensive? | | | | energy from your solar panel until you actually |
| There are lots of reasons but principally it's | | | | need it. As the amount of energy converted by |
| because the market is still quite small and there | | | | the solar panel varies during the day and night, |
| isn't yet a really competitive marketplace. | | | | the battery input charge varies. But the power |
| Government solar rebates help reduce costs. | | | | stored in the battery is available to be used at |
| Question: How do I connect my panel into my | | | | any time, 24 x 7. |
| home wiring? | | | | Question: Do I need special batteries? |
| Unfortunately it's not quite that simple. Never | | | | Yes. Most solar panels require 12 or 24 volt |
| attempt to connect the solar panel into your | | | | batteries similar to what you find in cars. |
| home wiring yourself unless you are a currently | | | | You need batteries which can handle the deep |
| registered electrician. The solar panel is part of a | | | | cycle from fully charge to heavily discharge |
| system consisting of a controller, batteries and an | | | | repeatedly over a short period of time. Car |
| inverter. You are generally allowed to wire up | | | | batteries are easily damaged if they discharge too |
| everything to the batteries but an electrician is | | | | deeply as they are designed to deliver a quick |
| needed for the rest. | | | | burst of power to start the engine. There are |
| Question: What do I need a controller, batteries | | | | plenty of deep cycle batteries available on the |
| and an inverter for? | | | | market AND if your eligible for a solar power |
| A solar panel generates direct current not the | | | | rebate, you may be able to include them as well. |
| alternating current used in your home. Further, the | | | | Question: Why do I need an inverter? |
| level of current generated varies in accordance | | | | Your home uses 110v (or 240v) alternating |
| with the amount of energy being converted by | | | | current. Remember this from your school days? |
| the photovoltaic cells in the panel. The controller | | | | Appliances won't run off a battery as it is direct |
| regulates the power from the solar panel to the | | | | current. The inverter does the conversion for you. |
| batteries so as to increase battery life or damage. | | | | Inverters are readily available on the web. Google |
| The batteries are the storage medium. You store | | | | solar panel inverter. |
| energy during peak periods of sun light and | | | | The inverter is powered by the battery as well |
| consume the electricity from the batteries as you | | | | but they are very efficient devices these days. |
| require 24 x 7. | | | | It is illegal for you to connect an inverter to you |
| The inverter is required to convert the direct | | | | house wiring unless you are a currently registered |
| current from the battery into alternating current | | | | electrician. And, your inverter must be an |
| at the correct voltage for use in your home. | | | | approved device so we don't recommend you |
| Question: What does the controller really do? | | | | make your own. |
| The controller's job is to control the amount of | | | | Question: Can I sell my excess electricity back to |
| energy going into your batteries so they don't | | | | the electricity company? |
| over-charge or over-discharge. It's just like the | | | | The short answer is yes. The electricity company |
| voltage regulator in your car. As the battery | | | | will change your power meter for a two way |
| approaches full charge, the controller slows down | | | | device which measures electricity being used by |
| the rate of charge and significantly increases | | | | you as well as any electricity being sent to the |
| battery life. Without one you will need to manually | | | | grid. |
| watch the voltage on your batteries and connect | | | | But, we suggest you concentrate on reducing you |
| and disconnect them from the solar panel | | | | consumption and saving yourself money that way. |
| manually. | | | | There are some issues with selling back to the |
| Controllers are reasonably cheap to buy and there | | | | electricity company. They sell to you at retail |
| are plenty of DIY panel designs on the web. Just | | | | prices but buy back at wholesale. So don't expect |
| Google solar panel controller. | | | | high prices. AND, the electricity you sell back must |
| A basic controller simply monitors the battery | | | | meet their standards which mean you may need |
| voltage and opens the circuit and stops the | | | | special inverters and switchgear. |
| charge when the battery voltage reaches a | | | | If you have any further questions check out our |
| certain level. More complex controllers control the | | | | FREE newsletter on solar panels and building your |
| power applied to the batteries as the batteries | | | | own solar panels. We've done the research and |
| get closer to full charge, so extending battery life. | | | | our information is free - no catches! |
| They can keep batteries in a fully charged state | | | | |