What’s a solar system?

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaics (PV). A typical solar PV system can provide enough FREE electricity from the sun to power an entire home. The electricity generated can be either stored or used directly, fed back into grid line or combined with one or more other electricity generators or more renewable energy source. Solar PV system is very reliable and clean source of electricity that can suit a wide range of applications such as residence, industry, agriculture, livestock, etc.

Type of systems

There are 2 main types of solar PV systems for residential consumers, which are grid-tie and stand-alone. The large majority of solar PV systems are grid-tie for the simple fact that they allow you to feed excess electricity back into the electric grid for credits and rebates from the utility companies. Below you will find a detailed explanation of the differences of the two system.

•  Grid tie: or grid-inter-tied photovoltaic systems, generate electricity for your home or business and route the excess power into the electric utility grid. Most utility companies will actually pay you money for the excess power you generate or allow credits for when your system is not producing as much electricity.

• Stand alone: When the utility power is unavailable or too expensive to bring in to your home or cabin, solar panels allow you to be your own utility company!  You can live in peace, with no noisy gas generator to disturb the quiet.  There are several variations of off-grid solar power, depending on your needs and budget

Major system components

Solar PV system includes different components that should be selected according to your system type, site location and applications. The major components for solar PV system are solar charge controller, inverter, battery bank, auxiliary energy sources and loads (appliances).

• PV module- converts sunlight into DC electricity.

• Solar charge controller-  regulates the voltage and current coming from the PV panels going to battery and prevents battery overcharging and prolongs the battery life.

• Inverter- converts DC output of PV panels or wind turbine into a clean AC current for AC appliances or fed back into grid line.

• Battery- stores energy for supplying to electrical appliances when there is a demand.

• Load- is electrical appliances that connected to solar PV system such as lights, radio, TV, computer, refrigerator, etc.
  

• Auxiliary energy sources - is diesel generator or other renewable energy sources.

 
What's a wind system? 

Wind power is the conversion of kinetic energy from wind into electricity. A typical wind turbine system can provide enough FREE energy to power an entire home. Small wind electric systems are one of the most cost-effective home-based renewable energy systems. These systems are also nonpolluting.  Just like solar systems, wind systems can also be grid-tied or stand alone.

A small wind turbine system can do the following:

• Lower your electricity bills by 50%–90%

• Help you avoid the high costs of having utility power lines extended to a remote location
  

• Help un-interruptible power supplies ride through extended utility outages.

• Small wind electric systems can also be used for a variety of other applications, including water pumping on farms and ranches.