PV System Components

You’ll need more than solar panels to create the type of photovoltaic system that can be used for many years as a primary source of power. Not only will you need to have some sort of device to store the energy produced, but it will also have to be conditioned and very often inverted.

Obviously the first of the PV system components you’ll need are the panels themselves. These come in several types, most of which are different types of silicon. Generally they differ from each other by the purity of the silicon and how it is laid down on the substrate. They may also differ by weight and efficiency.

When dealing with solar panels, it is very often one chooses between price and efficiency. It is generally best to evaluate panels by the number of watts for a given area. You will also want to find out if the efficiency of the panels is guaranteed over time and under the light conditions you expect in your environment.

From there, you may want to include a charge controller that will monitor and regulate the input to the batteries. This device will allow the current and voltage to be adjusted to optimum levels. These are very often available in one of three general types. The simplest type is only capable of shunting away power when it is in excess of normal. Other “three stage” types are able to store a bit in capacitors and deliver a conditioned power level. The most expensive type essentially does the same thing as the three-stage types but is over 95% efficient. If you have very low output from the solar panels, a conditioner may not be required.

You will of course need batteries or some capacitive device that will store energy. While some people have tried to use flywheels to store mechanical energy, they are not very commonly used. Most people use banks of deep-cycle marine batteries. These are very often “wet-cell” batteries that require regular topping off with distilled water to ensure the proper electrolyte levels. Car batteries will do in a pinch, but won’t be able to store nearly as much current.

Unless you’re exclusively using 12V appliances from recreational vehicles, you’ll need to convert the 12VDC (direct current) into 120VAC (alternating current) at 60 (or 50 in Canada) cycles per second or Hertz (Hz). This is done with an inverter that is able to produce a nice smooth sine wave.

While it will be somewhat expensive to get all the PV system components together, many states allow you to sell power back to the company. Eventually one may even make a small monthly income from the power company from their panels. Check in your state to see if this is allowed.