| erter is one of the most important parts of any | | | | inverter is as close to the batteries as possible, |
| solar power system. | | | | don’t put it in the same box. The wire |
| In order to provide electricity to the home, most | | | | between the batteries and the inverter needs to |
| home solar systems operate by a sequence in | | | | be of sufficient size. Check the inverter manual |
| which solar panels transfer power to batteries, | | | | for the correct size. It’s a good idea to |
| with the batteries then providing the electricity to | | | | have a fuse on all wires to and from the inverter. |
| the home. Solar panels do not produce power at | | | | As is the case with any electrical appliance, the |
| night, so this arrangement ensures that power is | | | | inverter must not be exposed to moisture or |
| still available even after the sun has gone down. | | | | extreme temperatures. |
| Solar panels and batteries both work with Direct | | | | Solar power inverters are known to encounter a |
| Current (DC) electricity. The inside of the house, | | | | couple of common issues. The first issue is RF |
| though, uses Alternating Current (AC). Solar | | | | interference. All inverters broadcast a certain |
| power inverters are responsible for converting | | | | amount of radio noise while working. Radio |
| the DC electricity to AC. | | | | receivers should be placed as far away from the |
| Currently, there are both Modified Sine Wave | | | | inverter as possible. Using a battery powered |
| (MSW) and True Sine Wave (TSW) inverters on | | | | radio will also negate this problem, and the |
| the market. MSW inverters turn DC electricity into | | | | batteries can then be recharged through the solar |
| the most basic form of AC power. Some types | | | | power system. |
| of appliances experience problems with MSW | | | | The other problem is a lot less obvious: phantom |
| inverters. For example, audio equipment may | | | | loads. Most modern electronic devices, including |
| produce an irritating hum when used with MSW | | | | TVs, continue to use a small amount of electricity |
| inverters. TSW inverters, while more costly, are | | | | even when turned off. Since they’re |
| usually considered more appropriate for home | | | | always using energy, these devices keep |
| use, because they don’t suffer from these | | | | inverters from going to sleep. This in turn means |
| issues. | | | | that inverters themselves end up using more |
| It’s fairly easy to take care of an inverter | | | | power than they should. Usually, this problem can |
| once the system has been set up. While | | | | be solved by using a power strip with an on/off |
| it’s a good idea to make sure that the | | | | switch. |