Aug 27 2007
Why You May Need a Solar Power Inverter for your Solar Power System
Most homes these days that incorporate solar power as one of its primary energy sources use photovoltaic technology. These are typically the large solar panels you see on roofs or even set up as arrays in someone’s backyard. While solar power is a great source of alternative, renewable energy, it produces DC electricity, which must be converted to AC electricity, a more viable form that is used in most homes, at least in the United States. In order to convert from DC to AC a solar power inverter is needed.
Unless all of a home’s appliances, lights and other items that need electricity are already DC powered, the solar power inverter is definitely needed. DC stands for direct current while AC stands for alternating current, which is what is most often used because voltage can be more easily controlled for maximum efficiency.
More Detail about a Solar Power Inverter
While the solar power inverter is primarily for translating DC power into AC power, there is another type that is called a grid interactive. With this type of grid interactive solar power inverter, it is utilized to send your solar power energy into your home, which uses a power solar grid and then feeds back the remaining, leftover energy back into the grid where it could be stored in batteries.
The solar power inverter may look rather innocuous at first glance, however inside, its inner workings have to handle quite a bit. An inverter for a regular suburban home has to deal with a number of fluctuations of energy, from the use of one light to a bigger surge of energy to turn on a major appliance.
Within confining limitations, the solar power inverter has to regulate the power output to ensure that there is little energy loss. Depending on the inverter you purchase, some even supply backup battery charges while feeding the leftover power back into the solar grid.
Choosing a Solar Power Inverter
There are quite a few things that you need to take into account when you choose a solar power inverter. You cannot just go and buy one because they are not a one size fits all kind of device. You need to identify your needs and decide where the inverter will be used which will help you decide how big of a model you need as well as how many volts it can handle and what you can use.
Power quality, efficiency, the ability to handle surges and idling loads of energy should all be taken into account and are often explained on the specification sheets of a solar power inverter from each manufacturer.
Campaign Urges Restaurants to Take Marlin Off the Menu
(ARA) - The next time you’re in a restaurant and see marlin on the menu, “just say no.” That’s the message of a new, nationwide campaign called “Take Marlin Off the Menu,” which is urging consumers to stop eating marlin, and restaurants to take marlin and other [...]
By Pegah Aarabi
(NC)—The holiday party season doesn’t have to be strenuous for you or the environment. Add a “green” theme to your party to liven things up and do your part. Here are six ways to turn your next holiday event into a “greeny” good time.
1. Serve organic drinks and foods. Offer organic fruits, vegetables, [...]
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The green building and remodeling movement puts great emphasis on natural lighting, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency. Moving air through our homes and distributing light can be, and usually is, accomplished by a combination of mechanical and passive means, with a fan and an open window for example. But, in today’s technical world, what’s [...]