| Many home owners are concern about rising | | | | maximum sunlight exposure. The Direct Current |
| energy cost. This phenomenon was triggered by | | | | (DC) they produce is wired through a charge |
| the recent gasoline price increase. Since most | | | | controller before it goes on to the battery bank |
| utility companies use oil to generate power, it is | | | | where it is stored. |
| not surprising if electricity cost to power a home | | | | The two main functions of a charge controller are |
| were to increase in the future. How do we shield | | | | to prevent the battery from being overcharged |
| ourselves from rising energy cost? We can use | | | | and eliminate any reverse current flow from the |
| renewable energy and make solar power from | | | | batteries back to the solar modules at night. The |
| home. Making solar energy from home can be | | | | battery bank stores the energy produced by the |
| challenging if you have no idea what is involved. | | | | solar array during the day for use at anytime of |
| This article will provide some information on the | | | | the day or night. The number of batteries need |
| components needed for a homemade solar | | | | for a home solar power system will depend on |
| energy system. | | | | your load requirement. The number of battery |
| There are many components that make up a | | | | required is proportional to the number of electrical |
| complete home solar energy system. Generally, | | | | appliances connected to the system. Finally, the |
| there are 4 main items on a solar system and | | | | inverter takes the DC energy stored in the |
| they are the solar modules, charge controller, | | | | battery bank and inverts it to 120 or 240 Volt |
| battery and inverter. The solar modules are | | | | Alternate Current (AC) to run your home |
| physically mounted on a mount structure. Usually | | | | appliances. |
| the solar modules are situated on the roof for | | | | |