Components of a Stand Alone Solar System
Solar Panels
The panels make electricity from the sun. Panels can be fixed to the roof or be freestanding on the ground. The number of panels required depends on the energy needs of the house. A 2 bedroom house can use more than a 5 bedroom if it has energy inefficient appliances that are left on for long periods
Regulator
The regulator controls the amount of electricity coming from the panels to the batteries. This stops them overcharging. The regulator also typically gives information about the battery voltage and how much daily energy has come in from the panels and is being used by the house
Batteries
Batteries store the energy from the panels for use when the sun is not shining. In a typical 2-3KW system, 6 to 12 batteries are used. Each battery can weigh approximately 120 Kg. Batteries are normally arranged at 24 or 48 volts DC and kept in a locked
ventilated area
Inverter/ Charger
The inverter converts the battery voltage to 240V AC so that one can use normal household appliances. The charger is used with a generator in prolonged periods of cloudy weather so as to charge the batteries if they get a bit low.
Fuse Box
The output of the inverter is then wired up as a normal house
Power Points
Most normal appliances can be used. However the total appliances on at any one time should not exceed the rating of the inverter as it may shut down due to overload
Download this information and more, in the CJ Solar Understanding Solar Power and Energy PDF