How to Design a Solar Electric System

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (1 Ratings)

Solar power can be used to decrease or eliminate energy costs, reducing our impact on the environment and saving people money in the process. If you wish to design your own solar electric system, it pays to be prepared.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Step1

Determine whether you will need to tie your solar electric system into the existing power grid or you wish to design it for use off the grid. This will depend on your precise location and how near you are to a power line.

Step2

Calculate how much sun your area gets, and whether there are any obstructions which may cast shadows on your solar panels.

Step3

Perform a power load analysis to determine what your electric needs will be. The table provided at SolarSense.com can help you calculate your requirements (see Resources below).

Step4

Determine the output of the panels you wish to use (based on their capacity and how much sun they will receive), the battery you have in mind and the inverter your home will require.

Step5

Compare your expected panel output with the amount of space your solar panels will require, and then compare that to the amount of space you have available. This will determine how much energy you can reasonably produce with your solar electric system, and it should be incorporated into your design.

Step6

Prepare a contingency for those times when the sun does not shine enough to produce adequate power. If you are on the grid, it will mean paying for electricity through the power company. If you are off the grid, it will mean using alternate forms of electric power such as generators.

Step7

Choose your components based on what you require. These will vary widely depending upon your circumstances, but it will include the solar panels themselves, mountings and means of securing the panels, conduits and wiring, an appropriate battery or generator, and an inverter to convert the panel's DC power to AC use.

Tips & Warnings

When sizing your solar panel array, be sure to analyze how much of a power load it can take. This includes electrical surges as well as the average use.
Most household appliances run on an AC current. Solar electric panels and the batteries required to store them are usually only DC. You may need an inverter or similar piece of equipment in order to plug your devices into the system.
Unlicensed modifications to your home could cause considerable difficulties with your insurance company. Be sure to contact them with details of your plans before you install a solar electric system yourself.
A solar electric system can be complicated. If you have any questions or are not sure of anything, consult a professional installer for advice and support.