Global Warming News

Posts Tagged ‘Solar Micro Inverter’

The purpose of this article is to explain the function of a solar power inverter in the home solar system, as well as issues pertaining to different types of inverters, and solutions to common problems associated with them.

In most cases, home solar systems involve solar panels charging batteries, with the batteries then supplying electricity to fixtures within the home.  The purpose of this setup is to ensure that power is available even at night, when the solar panels aren’t in contact with sunlight.  Of the two types of electricity, both solar panels and batteries work with Direct Current (DC).  Outlets in the home, meanwhile, use Alternating Current (AC) electricity.  The conversion from DC to AC is handled by the inverter.

Currently, there are both Modified Sine Wave (MSW) and True Sine Wave (TSW) inverters available.  MSW inverters are the more limited of the two, as they simply convert DC electricity into rough, 120v 60 cycle AC.  Some types of appliances are incompatible with MSW inverters.  For example, audio equipment may give off a noticeable hum when used with MSW inverters.  TSW inverters, on the other hand, have no problems in a home setting.

Inverters are fairly simple to maintain.  Avoid keeping the inverter in the same box as the batteries, but make sure it’s otherwise as close to them as possible.  The wire connecting the batteries to the inverter needs to be large enough.  The manual for the inverter should list the correct size.  A fuse is a must for all wires to and from the inverter.  As is the case with any electrical appliance, the inverter can not be exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.

In terms of common problems, there are just a couple which are known to occur with solar power inverters.  First, there’s RF interference.  When they’re working, all inverters produce some radio noise.  Radio receivers should be kept as far away from the inverter as possible.  Battery powered radios won’t have problems with this interference though, and the batteries can be recharged when necessary with the solar power system.

So-called “phantom loads” represent the other frequently cited issue.  Most new electronic devices, including televisions, continue to use a small amount of electricity even when turned off.  Inverters are unable to go to sleep while these devices keep on drawing power.  The inverters themselves, then, are forced to use more energy than they really ought to.  If you’re able to hook up the devices responsible for the phantom loads to a power strip with an on/off switch, you can solve this problem.  The inverter should be able to enter sleep mode when the power strip is turned off, as the connected devices will no longer be able to draw power.

For more information about the most recent technological improvement being offered in solar panel systems, go to Solar Micro Inverter.

For the finest guide to building your own solar panels, including complete instructions and step-by-step videos, go to Build Your Own Solar Panel.

The most important part of any solar power system is the solar panel, the part that actually handles the conversion of sunlight to electricity. Solar panels provide homeowners with the opportunity to produce their own energy without pollution or cost.

Solar panels are essentially collections of small solar cells, which are wired together and placed in a weatherproof case. A small electrical current is released whenever these solar cells are struck by sunlight. A great enough number of solar cells when combined can produce a tremendous amount of current. Even if one cell malfunctions, the others will continue working and the panel as a whole remains effective.

In terms of efficiency and durability, the latest solar cells are light years beyond previous units. With modern solar cells, you get equal or greater power generation even with smaller amounts of sunlight. All solar cells have a specific threshold at which the amount of sunlight with which they’ve come in contact results in electricity output. The threshold in the most recent cells is lower than it was for previous units, meaning that these solar cells provide power even in relatively low light conditions.

The increased production of the latest solar power panels means that fewer panels than before are necessary in order to produce enough power for your home. Fewer panels means less use of roof space and a lower installation cost. These advancements have brought solar power to the point that it is now a real and effective option for many homeowners.

Built-in micro-inverters have been added to recent solar panel designs. Previously, just one large inverter would be mounted near the electrical panel of the home. The Direct Current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels would be transferred to this single inverter, which would then convert it to the Alternating Current (AC) electricity used in the home.

The difficulty with this setup was that some loss of power was almost always experienced as the electricity travelled along the long wires from the panels to the inverter. Now that the panels themselves have their own micro-inverters, the DC to AC conversion can be performed with less loss of power.

These additions give solar panels the ability to independently supply electricity right to the home. The elimination of the large inverter makes the entire wiring process much easier, as well. Thanks to this, it’s now possible to establish a solar power system over time, adding panels when needed, instead of doing it as one big procedure. For more info about micro inverters, go to Solar Micro Inverter.

Advanced solar power panels are worth considering for anyone who is looking into starting up a solar power generation system. The most important thing to keep in mind is that these panels will generate more power for less money, allowing users to make use of the free power of the sun for longer than ever before. If you want to build your own solar panel, take a look at Build Your Own Solar Panel.

Here’s another guide to building a diy solar panel Green DIY Energy Review.