How and Why a Solar Power Inverter is Used
A solar power inverter forms an important part of any home solar energy system which supplies enough electricity to get you off the grid.
The inverter converts direct current, which is produced by a solar panel, into alternating current.
There is also a charge controller, which can use excess power to charge your system's battery, and provide energy without any waste.
In some cases, solar power might be your best solution, if you want to get your home running off the grid. It is also relatively simple to install, and doesn't require a large quantity of parts and components, in order to produce electricity.
Each system is different, but generally speaking, all you need is:
- A set of solar panels
- A solar regulator or charge controller
- A battery to store electricity
- Your wiring
Solar panels usually produce 12 to 24 volts DC. Some appliances can run on this power, but most home appliances require 110 or 220 volts AC.
This is where a solar power inverter is needed. It converts the direct current into alternating current.
What is direct current? Direct current, or DC, flows continuously in one direction, while alternating current changes in its direction of flow.
Alternating current (AC) is used because it is a type of electricity which can be carried over longer distances, with minimal energy loss . Oddly enough, however, most household appliances have built in devices which convert the AC into DC, in order to operate.
Various types of solar inverters can be found on the market currently. You might come across some which are pretty cheap. But keep in mind that these might be inferior in quality. Some inverters get warmer when in use – and that heat adds up to a loss of energy.
Different solar inverters use different “loads,” as well. The “load” is the amount of current or energy that the inverter can handle. For home use, you might want to get a solar inverter that can handle a couple of hundred watts, at any given time. These aren't always cheap, but they will be worthwhile in the long run.
Possibly the best choice of solar inverter is the true sine wave. This type of inverter produces power identical to that you would receive from the main supply grid. When viewed on an oscilloscope, the waves are smooth.
If the true sine wave is beyond your budget, you might settle for a modified sine wave. This gives a lesser quality power than the true sine wave does, but is less expensive.
Getting Completely Off the Grid
If you are looking to get your home running off the grid completely, then get a “stand-alone power system inverter.” With this type of device, you plug the deep cycle batteries in - and it can be installed by virtually anyone.
You can also get a “mains grid inverter,” which draws power from your solar panels, and at the same time feeds excess energy back to the main grid. In some states, you can earn money back from the power companies when you produce excess power and feed it back to the grid.
Installing a Solar Power System in Your Home
When installing a partial or complete solar energy system into your home, there are generally two ways to go about it.
- Hire a professional installation company to install your system
- Do it yourself.
The least expensive choice is the latter – do it yourself.
Besides cost, another advantage of learning to install your own home solar power system is that you will be familiar with your system and trained in its use. In the future, if it becomes necessary to make changes in your home's energy system, you will not necessarily need to call in (and pay) and installer.
There are many high-quality and popular do-it-yourself guides available, which teach you exactly how to install your own solar power or wind power system at home.
These guides often give details on every aspect of the project - from determining the best solar/wind power system to install in your geographical area, to finding your materials inexpensively, to the actual installation of your equipment. Several of these include manuals, instructional videos, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions. More information on these guides can be found at DIY Solar Power.
Solar Power Store
You can also visit our Solar Power Store to find a wide variety of solar panels, solar battery chargers, and other solar-powered equipment.