Putting The Pieces Together: Components Of A Home Solar System
A home solar system is designed to help your home's electricity flow more smoothly. There are many components that are part of a home solar system. It can seem overwhelming, especially if you are considering one yourself.
This article offers a description of the components that make up a typical home solar system. Understanding these components will help you decide if you are interested in investing in solar energy.
Solar panels
Solar panels are the main component of a home solar system. They are often installed on the roof of a home, but can also be mounted on an adjacent structure or nearby pole.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that can be used to power your home. The amount of power generated by your solar system depends on the number and size of the panels you have installed.
A solar panel is made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells contain semiconductor material that’s sensitive to light and converts it into an electric current. A typical PV cell generates 0.5-2 watts per square foot, depending on its efficiency and orientation to the sun’s path across the sky (source).
Racking system
Racking systems are the structures that support solar panels. They come in a variety of configurations, depending on the types of equipment you need to mount and how much space you have available. Racking systems also support batteries and other electrical components.
Racking systems are typically made from steel, aluminum or concrete.
The main purpose of a racking system is to provide an appropriate surface for mounting your solar panels, which can be either flat or angled. Flat-mount racking is often less expensive than angled-mount racking because it requires fewer parts and labor hours to install. However, if you want to position your panels at an angle to maximize sunlight exposure, then angled-mount racking may be the better choice for your home solar system.
Inverter
An inverter is a device that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverters are used in solar panels, wind turbines, and other forms of alternative energy.
Inverters are typically used with photovoltaic panels. The PV panel produces DC electricity, which must be converted to AC before it can be used in homes or businesses.
Inverters have many different applications but all convert a direct current into an alternating current. The most common use for inverters is in the solar industry where they are used to convert the direct current from photovoltaic panels into usable 120 volt AC electricity for homes and businesses.
An inverter can be internal or external to the solar panels. An internal inverter is installed inside each panel and connected directly to it. External inverters are connected in series with multiple panels and then again in parallel with each other. This makes them more efficient than internal inverters because they can handle larger amounts of power.
Inverters are rated by their maximum wattage output at a given voltage level. For example, an 800VA inverter will produce 800 watts at 12 volts DC input voltage and 600 watts at 24 volts DC input voltage.
Metering device
A metering device is a small box that is installed at the point where electricity enters the home. The metering device measures how much electricity is being consumed and sends information about that consumption to your utility company.
The purpose of the metering device is to allow you to track your energy usage and to compare it with what other people are paying for electricity. It also allows utilities to bill you accurately.
Metering devices generally have an internal battery that allows them to operate even if there is no power going into your home. This is important because it means that if there's a blackout, your solar panels won't stop working right away because they're generating their own power.
Battery backup
A battery backup is a device that stores power during the day and releases it at night. It is important to have one if you are going to have solar energy in your home.
The purpose of a battery backup is to provide power when there is no sun, such as during cloudy days or at night.
The battery is charged by the solar panels during the day through an inverter and then can be used at night when needed. There are two types of batteries: deep cycle and starter.
The difference is that a deep cycle battery can provide continuous power for longer periods, while a starter battery only provides short bursts. These batteries can be charged by both panels and traditional electricity sources.
If you are going to be using your solar panels for just a few hours each day, then a starter battery will do the trick. However, if you hope to use solar energy for most of your electricity needs then it is important to invest in a deep cycle battery. It is also important to know how much power your home uses each day so that you can determine how many batteries are needed.
Electrical disconnects
Electrical disconnects are a very important component of a solar power system. This is the portion of the system that separates the live wires from the neutral wires. They are used to disconnect the system from the main electrical panel of your home or business.
The main purpose for this is to provide safety for anyone who may be working on or near your system. If there was ever a problem with your home solar power system, this would keep you and your family safe by preventing electricity from flowing through it.
Takeaway: Understanding the pieces of your solar system will help you better understand the installation process.
Takeaways
In this article, we went over 6 different components of a home solar system, which are the solar panels, inverter, racking system, metering device, battery backup, and electrical disconnects. By understanding these components and how they work together, you can better understand the installation process.
Need a solar installation expert in the Bay Area or Northern California?
When you’re ready to install your own solar system, contact Sunroof Roofing Inc. today for a free estimate! We’ll walk you through the process and make sure that everything is installed properly. Our goal is to make everything as simple and straightforward as possible and to provide you with excellent service from start to finish.
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