| If you were to check your monthly expenses, | | | | power system is the marine type or deep cycle |
| you will notice your power utility bill is the second | | | | battery. Deep cycle battery is more durable and |
| largest next to your home bank mortgage. | | | | can be discharged to a very low level without |
| Electricity is very important because all of our | | | | damaging its internal components. |
| home electrical equipment run on it. | | | | How many units of battery do you need for a |
| Due to high energy cost, many home owners are | | | | residential dwelling using solar energy? The actual |
| considering using a residential solar power system | | | | number will depend on the power requirement. |
| to reduce their home energy consumption. How | | | | For a small home with 2 bedrooms, 4 - 6 units of |
| does a solar power system works on a residential | | | | batteries will be sufficient to provide the power |
| unit? | | | | needed. |
| A home solar system is quite simple actually. | | | | Since all battery can only store Direct Current |
| There are only a few main components such as | | | | (DC), the power inverter will be used to convert |
| the solar panels, charge controller, battery bank | | | | the DC to Alternate Current (AC). AC will be used |
| and power inverter. There are few other smaller | | | | to run all the electrical appliances at home. |
| components such as meter gauges, AC circuit | | | | To tap into the electricity generated by the solar |
| breakers and cables. | | | | system, all you need to do is run an extension |
| Generally, the system works by using the solar | | | | cable from the power inverter around your house. |
| panels to capture the energy of the sun. This is | | | | Connect multiple power outlets to the cable for |
| done by using Photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cell is a | | | | easy access. |
| semi-conductor material which will generate an | | | | Building a home solar power system is a simple |
| electric current when exposed to sun light. | | | | process if you know how to read electrical wiring |
| A solar cell is capable of producing only a small | | | | diagrams. If you have no idea how electricity |
| amount of current. Nonetheless, when you join | | | | works, it is best you outsource the whole project |
| multiple cells together in series, the power output | | | | to a professional solar contractor. |
| will be sufficient to charge a battery unit. | | | | When outsourcing, be prepared to pay a premium |
| Charging of the battery is managed by the | | | | for the system. A custom designed home solar |
| charge controller. The charge controller will take | | | | power setup can cost upwards of $40,000. For a |
| the current from the solar panels and store it into | | | | cheaper alternative, you can always opt for a Do |
| the battery. | | | | It Yourself (DIY) solar system. |
| The type of battery used for a home solar | | | | |