Parts of Solar System:

1. What is a solar cable?

Solar cable is the interconnection cable used in photovoltaic power generation.

A solar cable interconnects solar panels and other electrical components of a
photovoltaic system. Solar cables are designed to be UV resistant and weather
resistant.

2. What is a charge controller?

A charge controller, charge regulator or battery regulator limits the rate at which
electric current is added to or drawn from electric batteries. It prevents overcharging and
may protect against overvoltage, which can reduce battery performance or lifespan, and
may pose a safety risk.

How does solar panel charge battery?

Like batteries, solar cells can be connected in series and parallel to get higher
voltages and currents. ... The charge controller takes the energy from the solar
panels or wind turbine and converts the voltage so it's suitable for battery charging.
The supply voltage for a 12V battery bank is about 16V.

How much does it cost to install a solar panel?

The average family home needs a solar PV panel that provides about 3kW of
electricity. This will cost between £4,000 and £6,000 and cover about 21 sq m of roof
space. Solar panel prices have reduced by over 70% in the last few years.
What is a combiner box?

The combiner box is a device that combines the output of multiple strings of PV
modules for connection to the inverter. It is typically used in the larger commercial and
utility scale PV power plants (greater than 500kW)

What is a mc4 connector?

MC4 connectors are single-contact electrical connectors commonly used for

connecting solar panels. MC4 stands for the manufacturer Multi-Contact and a Ø4 mm
contact assembly pin

What does MPPT mean?

A MPPT, or maximum power point tracker is an electronic DC to DC converter that
optimizes the match between the solar array (PV panels), and the battery bank or utility
grid.

How would you measure the open circuit voltage for a solar cell?

Measure Open Circuit Voltage – The black lead should be connected to COM and
the red lead should be connected to V or VDC. Set the dial to 20 which means the
Multimeter can measure up to 20 Volts. Touch and hold the black lead to the
“sleeve” of the solar panel connector or the black wire.

How much can you save with solar panels?

If you installed a 3kW system, you can approximate that, based on an average
amount of sunlight, the system would create 450 kWh per month—about half of your
monthly electric bill. Estimating that bill at $100, your initial investment will save you
approximately $50 a month for the life of your solar panel system.
How Solar Works
We can change sunlight directly to electricity using solar cells. Every day, light hits your roof's solar
panels with photons (particles of sunlight). The solar panel converts those photons into electrons of
direct current ("DC") electricity. The electrons flow out of the solar panel and into an inverter and
other electrical safety devices. The inverter converts that "DC" power (commonly used in batteries)
into alternating current or "AC" power. AC power is the kind of electrical that your television,
computer, and toasters use when plugged into the wall outlet.

A net energy meter keeps track of the all the power your solar system produces. Any solar energy that
you do not use simultaneous with production will go back into the electrical grid through the meter. At
night or on cloudy days, when your system is not producing more than your building needs, you will
consume electricity from the grid as normal. Your utility will bill you for the "net" consumption for any
given billing period and provide you with a dollar credit for any excess during a given period. You can
carry your bill credit forward for up to a year.

Solar Cells
Solar cells are small, square-shaped panel semiconductors made from silicon and other conductive
materials, manufactured in thin film layers. When sunlight strikes a solar cell, chemical reactions
release electrons, generating electric current. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells or "PV cells"
and can be found on many small appliances such as calculators.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Components

A PV system components include PV modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV
panels; one or more batteries; a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system; an inverter
to covert solar power from direct current (DC) to the alternating current (AC) of the utility grid-
connected system; wiring; and mounting hardware or a framework. A PV module arranges individual
PV cells, and the modules are grouped together in an array. Some of the arrays are set on special
tracking devices to follow sunlight all day long and improve system efficiency.

PV System Installation, Maintenance, and Longevity

You could install a photovoltaic (PV) or solar electric system yourself. But to avoid complications or
injury, you will probably want to hire a reputable professional contractor with experience installing
solar systems. While they are sophisticated electric systems, PV systems have few moving parts, so
they require little maintenance. The basic PV module (an interconnected, enclosed panel of PV cells)
has no moving parts and can last more than 30 years while requiring little maintenance. The
components are designed to meet strict dependability and durability standards to withstand the
elements. The best way to ensure and extend the life and effectiveness of your PV system is by having
it installed and maintained properly. Most PV system problems occur because of poor or sloppy system
installation. Solar systems that receive rebates through California utilities are required to have a 10-
year system warranty.

Incorporating PV Systems into Your Home and Business

PV systems today can be blended easily into both traditional and nontraditional homes, powering
appliances and electric systems. PV cells can be installed as a stand-alone module that is attached to
your roof or on a separate system, or using integrated roofing materials with dual functions - that as a
regular roofing shingle and as a solar cell making electricity. The most common practice is to mount
modules onto a south-facing roof or wall. PV systems likewise can be blended into virtually every
conceivable structure for commercial buildings. You will find PV used outdoors for security lighting as
well as in structures that serve as covers for parking lots and bus shelters.

Sunlight Requirements for PV Systems

A photovoltaic (PV) system needs unobstructed access to the sun's rays for most or all of the day to
be effective. Shading on the system can significantly reduce energy output. Climate is not a major
concern because PV systems are relatively unaffected by air temperatures, and snow cover typically
melts quickly because panels are positioned directly into the sunlight. Abundant year-round sunshine
makes solar energy systems useful and effective nearly everywhere in California.

The Size of Your Solar PV System

The size of your solar system depends on several factors such as how much electricity or hot water or
space heat you use, the size of your roof, how much you're willing to invest, and how much energy
you want to generate. Contact a system designer/installer to determine what type of system fits your
needs or use one of the Go Solar California online calculators to determine what system size will offer
you the best financial payback.

Other Solar Technologies

 Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems concentrate the sun's energy using reflective devices
such as troughs or mirror panels to produce heat that is then used to generate electricity.
 Solar water heating systems contain a solar collector that faces the sun and either heats water
directly or heats a "working fluid" that, in turn, is used to heat water. For more information on
installing a solar water heating system, please see the CSI Solar Thermal section of the Go
Solar California website.
 Transpired solar collectors, or "solar walls," use solar energy to preheat ventilation air for a
building.
 Knowing your power requirements and the time of year you want to use the system is vital to this step. We
will use the example above with a power requirement of 196w per day.

 If this is the requirements for late spring to early Autumn use we could use this equation

 Watts required / time of year sunshine hours = panel size → 196 / 6 = 32.6W panel

 As we don’t make a 32.6w solar panel we would recommend looking at a 30w or 40w solar panel for
this application.

 However if this was an all year requirement i.e. also needed in the UK’s winter the numbers would
change

 Watts required / time of year sunshine hours = panel size → 196 / 1 = 196W panel

 As we don’t make a 196w solar panel we would recommend looking at two 100w solar panels for this
application.

 2 : How much energy will your appliance(s) use over a period of time?
 The power consumption of appliances is generally given in Watts (e.g. A small portable TV is around
20W this information can be found on the data sticker that most electrical items have). To calculate
the energy you will use over time, just multiply the power consumption by the hours of intended use.
 The 20W TV in this example, on for 2 hours, will take 20 x 2 = 40WH from the battery.
 Repeat this for all the appliances you wish to use, then add the results to establish total
consumption like below.
 TV 20w on for 2 hours per day = 40w per day
 Radio 10w on for 5 hours per day = 50w per day
 Water pump (20w) on for 20mins per day = 6.66w per day
 Main Light 30w on for 3h per day = 90w per day
 Spot lights 10w on for 1h per day = 10w per day
 Total = 196w per day

The final Piece

The final Piece to complete your solar system is the Charge Controller or Voltage Regulator. It’s basically
the same thing just a different name. This essential piece of your solar system controls the Charge put into
your battery, stops over charging and prevents the solar panel pulling power from the battery at night.

Contents:
 Types of Solar
 How Solar Work
 Parts of Solar Panel
 Question and Answer about Solar System
 Panel Size Calculations
 Battery Size Calculations
 Types of Cables and Selection of Cables.
 Bill Calculations with and Without Solar panels
 Initial investment and recovery time.
 Calculation of Charge Controller
 Direction of Solar Panel (Angle)
 Solar
  Inverter UPS
 Charge Controller
 UPS Wiring
 Solar Wiring
 Battery Sizing
 Panel Size Cal
 No OF panels
 Wattage Calc
 Types of Cables and Selection of Cables

Charge Controller Calculations:

Take the number of panels x watts to get the total watts of the solar array. You then
divide it by the voltage of your battery bank to get amps, add 25% to allow for cold
temperatures and as always, round up. Example: 2 - 140 watt solar panels in series = 280
watts / 12 VDC battery bank + 25% = 29.18 amps.