Solar Kits for Residential Use

Grid Tied

• Grid-tied solar power kits enable homeowners to connect their solar power system directly to the home. Grid tied system connect directly to the standard electrical utility grid and do not require a battery. Kits allow for automatically switching between the solar system and the grid apparatus, which reduces the percentage of kilowatt-hour usage from the grid. Homeowners can sell excess power back to the utility company.

Battery Backup

• A grid-tied kit with a battery backup provides power if the utility system goes down. The owner can balance the demand and production process. The system charges the batteries during time of excess power production. During periods of less production, the unit switches to battery power. It ensures a source of electricity during power interruptions.

Off Grid

• These kits have the basic components required for creating an independent power system. The system stores excess electricity in batteries and draws power as needed. Many people who select off-grid solar power kits, install wind and fuel-based electrical power generators to supplement the system during periods of low sunlight. Make an accurate evaluation of the loads, including appliances, voltages and expected daily operation, to determine the total watts to select the proper kit.

Solar Panels

• Generally, photovoltaic modules (PV), solar modules or panels constitute the most expensive component of solar energy kits. Select a kit that has panels with the desired total wattage. Generally, panels range in size from 1.5 to 300 watts. Watts describe the power output of a module. A 200-watt panel operating at an optimal level produces 200 watts of power each hour. An area with an average of five days of sunlight generates 1,000 watts a day to run appliances. The number of watts has significant bearing on cost. Select durable panels with a warranty period of 25 years or longer.

DC to AC Inverter

• The inverter converts direct current (DC), produced by panels, to alternating current or AC power for standard household use. In addition, the inverter modifies the voltage. Grid-active inverters enable solar power systems to send excess electrical power into the electrical grid. Most standard kits have 24 or 48-volt inverters. Higher voltage units reduce the current and make the wiring process less expensive and easier. Battery back-up systems require a compatible inverter. Select a kit that contains an inverter with at least a ten-year warranty.

Battery and Charge Controller

• Deep cycle batteries work best for solar systems energy. These batteries require monthly and quarterly maintenance and safely discharge energy to a low level. The batteries come in three types: flooded lead acid, gel lead acid and absorbed glass mat sealed lead acid (AGM). AGM is commonly used for grid- tied systems with battery back ups. Many off-grid systems use flood lead batteries. Cables from the panels connect to the batteries. The charge controller identifies the battery and directs excess power to a component called a heating element.