Understanding Solar Power System on Your Home

In previous PowerHome educational articles, we covered the respective advantages and disadvantages of rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels, and also learned how to read a digital inverter panel and what all those numbers mean. In this blog, we'll walk you through your home's solar panel system step-by-step.

Key Components for Solar Power Systems

A common off-grid solar power system consists of solar panels, racking and mounting equipment, an off-grid inverter, and disconnect switches. The solar panel is the heart of the system and is responsible for converting sunlight into direct current (DC). The racking and mounting equipment ensures that the solar panels can be stably mounted on the roof or elsewhere and maintained at the optimal angle to receive sunlight. The inverter then converts the DC power generated by the solar panels into the alternating current (AC) needed to power the home.

Racking and Mounting Equipment

The fixed mount system is the best way to securely mount solar panels on any type of roof. This system maximizes exposure to sunlight while ensuring that the panels remain secure and stable in adverse weather conditions. Here are some of the key features of a fixed mount system:

• Fixed Angle: Fixed solar panel systems are typically mounted at a fixed angle that is determined by the local latitude and optimal solar absorption angle. This helps maximize the energy output of the solar panels.
• Types: The fixed mounting systems typically include rails, clamps, and support bars. These brackets can be made of aluminum as aluminum is corrosion resistant and suitable for outdoor installation. The brackets are designed to ensure that the panels can withstand strong winds and other external forces.
• Adaptability: Mounting equipment is often designed to be compatible with different types of roofs, including pitched and near-plane roofs. For pitched roofs, the brackets can be mounted underneath roof tiles or roof panels, while for near-planar roofs, special brackets and foundations may need to be used.
• Durability: The materials and design of the system must be able to withstand extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, rain, snow and temperature changes.
• Easy Maintenance: Fixed systems should be designed with future maintenance and cleaning in mind. Ensure that the panels can be easily accessed for necessary inspections and cleaning.

Inverter

Inverters are essential components in solar power systems. In previous articles, we've described what an off-grid inverter is. They convert DC power to AC power, but they also monitor system performance and optimize energy output. Depending on the design, inverters can output different waveforms, such as pure sine waves and modified sine waves. Selecting the right inverter is crucial for efficient system operation.

If you are installing solar panels on your roof, electrical conduit will be run from the roof down the side of your house, which will then deliver the power to the inverter. The rating of the inverter panels is directly related to the size of the system, so the more panels you have, the larger inverter you will need to handle all the power generated by the panels.

Inverters are not one-size-fits-all devices. If you need to manage and distribute the current and voltage generated by your solar panels, or if you want to control the charging of your batteries, then a PV combiner box and a PV charge controller will be the right choice for you.

AC and DC Disconnect Switch

AC and DC disconnect switches are critical safety features of solar panel systems. They allow for quick disconnection of power in emergency situations, such as fire, severe weather, flooding, etc. In addition, disconnect switches ensure the safety of electric utility workers when they are working nearby. Proper selection and installation of disconnect switches is an important part of ensuring system safety.

• AC Disconnect Switch: The AC disconnect switch is used to disconnect an alternating current circuit. In solar power systems, it is usually installed between the inverter and the home power grid.
• DC Disconnect Switch: This switch disconnects a direct current circuit. In PV systems, it is installed between the solar panel array and the inverter.

Note: These switches can be manually operated or remotely controlled.

When you're putting in a solar panel system, there are a few things to think about. Things like voltage, circuit loading, and disconnect switch size. If you do it right, it'll keep working well for a long time. Also, you need to follow the local building and safety codes when you're installing it.

Solar panel systems require very little maintenance because they don't have any moving parts. As long as the solar panels get sunlight and there are no product failures, they'll reliably produce electricity for at least 25 to 30 years. It's important to regularly check the performance of your system and keep your solar panels clean to ensure that it will operate reliably for a long time. If you want to start your off-grid life by going solar, visit PowerHome for quality products and information.

Knowing how your home's solar panel equipment works will not only help ensure a safe and efficient system, but will also let your family enjoy the benefits of renewable energy. By choosing the right components, installing them correctly, and maintaining them, a solar panel system will provide your home with clean, renewable electricity while reducing the burden on the environment.