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Solar Power Systems: The basics (Page 2 of 3)
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Another essential element of your solar power system is the array of solar panels that you will be using. Often mounted on your roof, they can take various forms, and are usually dark blue or black, covered with glass, and measure about five feet long by just over two feet wide. You will have several of these, side-by-side, connected together electrically. You need to coordinate the voltage from these with the rest of the equipment. Each panel may be a nominal 12 volts or 24 volts, and they can be wired together to make a multiple of these, such as 48 volts, to suit the rest of your system.
The other components of the system may or may not be needed, depending on your actual arrangement.
If you want to store power at your house, you will need batteries. Most people are familiar with lead-acid batteries, such as you have in your car, and this is one type that is used with a solar power system. The actual batteries you use will be a little different, as they need to be deep cycle batteries, which work better for the conditions. Deep cycle batteries are used in RVs and boats, and can take a steady discharge better than an auto battery, which is built more for the large starting current of a car. They will need maintenance every few months, but the sealed type of battery which is also available doesn’t. It is, however, more expensive. Depending on your power storage requirements, you will need several batteries.
Along with the batteries, you need a way to charge them. You can’t just connect them to a power supply, as they will overcharge and be ruined. For this purpose, you need a charge controller, which senses how the batteries are doing, and sends the right amount of power their way.
Your system will have some ancillary items, such as switches or disconnects, and some metering. The items described above are the pieces of equipment that are necessary for the basic function of the solar power system, and they can be arranged in various ways, as shown in the following diagrams.
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