Part 4 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. The following briefly describes renewable energy technologies that might be offered in green pricing programs or competitive markets in your area. If you do not currently have the option to choose your electricity supplier, contact your utility to find out what their plans are regarding […]
Balance-of-System Equipment In addition to the PV modules, you must purchase balance-of-system (BOS) equipment. This includes battery charge controllers, batteries, inverters (for loads requiring alternating current), wires, conduit, a grounding circuit, fuses, safety disconnects, outlets, metal structures for supporting the modules, and any additional components that are part of the PV system. Below, we’ll discuss […]
After you have assessed the appropriateness of your site, you need to determine how much electricity your PV system must generate. This depends on how much electricity your loads require. Again, your dealer can help you with sizing a system that will meet your needs. The sidebar illustrates the steps involved in sizing a PV […]
This diagram illustrates the annual average daily peak sun hours for the United States. Is My Site Adequate for PV? APV system designer can conduct a detailed site assessment for you. To save the dealer time (and possibly save yourself some money), you can conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether your site has potential […]
Choosing a PV professional will be one of your most important decisions. If you choose a competent dealer, you won’t need to know all the details of designing, purchasing, and installing your PV system. Instead, you can rely on the dealer’s expertise to design and install a system that meets your needs. However, just like […]
Many people are familiar with PV-powered calculators and watches, the most common small-scale applications of PV. However, there are numerous large-scale, cost-effective PV applications, including: Water pumping for small-scale remote irrigation, stock watering, residential uses, remote villages, and marine sump pumps; Lighting for residential needs, billboards, security, highway signs, streets and parking lots, pathways, recreational […]
If you are thinking of generating your own electricity, you should consider a photovoltaic (PV) system—a way to generate electricity by using energy from the sun. These systems have several advantages: they are cost-effective alternatives in areas where extending a utility power line is very expensive; they have no moving parts and require little maintenance; […]