| Here is a list of components you will need and some | | | | multistage charging and delivers more power to the |
| options available. | | | | battery bank by matching the bank voltage to the |
| Once you complete your solar panels you will need to | | | | voltage of the solar panels. Because of different levels |
| connect them to an AC inverter, unless you want to | | | | of sunshine MPPT charge controllers are more |
| change your lighting fixtures and appliances to the | | | | efficient. |
| ones the run on direct current. There are different | | | | Battery Banks |
| types of inverters for use with your solar generator. 12 | | | | You will store the power that your energy generator |
| 24/48 volt inverters are most common with solar | | | | produces in batteries. Battery banks should have the |
| energy systems used in home applications. | | | | same voltage as your solar panels. Common types of |
| Power Inverters | | | | batteries used to store solar energy are: |
| | | | |
| 1. Square wave: Is not used much anymore because | | | | 1. Flooded Batteries- Flooded batteries are the ones |
| they are very limited devices they can power. | | | | with removable service caps that you use to replace |
| 2. Modified sine wave: Can run most of your household | | | | the water that is boiled off during the charging process. |
| appliances and lights, but some that have digital timers | | | | These battery banks should not be used indoors or |
| may not work correctly. | | | | near any sparks or flames, because the water that |
| 3. True Sine Wave also called Pure Sine Wave: Is as | | | | boils off is in the form of hydrogen gas |
| close to the power provided by your utility company. It | | | | 2. Sealed Batteries- These type batteries do not have |
| is the best type of power inverter to use. It does cost | | | | the removable service caps, so no water is added. |
| more, but it is more efficient than the other types of | | | | The hydrogen gas that is produced by flooded |
| inverters. You will recover the extra expense quickly | | | | batteries is not an issue with sealed batteries, so they |
| and not be bothered by the noise or uneven current | | | | are considered safer for indoor use. Because of their |
| the other types produce. | | | | indoor location the temperature will be more constant, |
| Charge Controllers | | | | thereby making them more efficient. |
| Charge controllers prevent your batteries being | | | | I recommend a True Sine Wave inverter that matches |
| overcharged and will not allow any reverse current | | | | whatever battery bank voltage you will be using along |
| flowing back from your battery bank to the solar | | | | with a MPPT charge controller. These are the best |
| panels when panels are not producing current, like night | | | | options and do cost more but, you will recover your |
| time hours or long periods of very overcast days. | | | | expenses faster and have far fewer headaches if |
| | | | you start with the right game plan. Which ever |
| 1. PWM charge controllers: Pulse Width Modulation is a | | | | components you decide to use for your solar energy |
| three stage charging type controller | | | | system, you can use the battery bank that best suits |
| 2. MPPT charge controller: Maximum Power Point | | | | your location and price range. Put them all together to |
| Tracking is the newer type controller that provides | | | | form your own solar generator system! |