Category: Energy Systems

Using Solar For Remote Power Needs

by

kriss bergethon

Determining Usage

As with any electrical installation, you first need to decide just how much power is needed. This is especially critical with PV since it most likely will be the only power source. We’ll need a conservative estimate of the amperage, voltage, and the time of usage to size the system. When doing this, don’t forget that most devices have a spike in the amperage upon start-up. Some devices use five times their operating amperage briefly when starting.

AC, DC or Both?

Most electronic devices are built to take AC power since that is what our grid provides. Since solar generates DC power, we often need to use an inverter to convert DC to AC. If we can avoid this, we’ll save both the expense of the inverter and anywhere from 5-20% of the power that we would lose in inversion. Often times the expense of using DC devices is offset by the savings on an inverter and reducing the wattage of solar panels. Using AC and DC electronics increases the complexity of the install but can be accomplished with proper design.

Critical or Non-Critical?

When designing a system one of the most critical factors is what we call ‘days of autonomy’. This translates to how long the system would run if there was no sunshine. This is important because going from one day of autonomy to three days of autonomy would triple the size and expense of the system. Usually the days of autonomy depends on whether the system is critical or non critical. An example of a critical application might be a traffic warning light or a communications system.

For either case, you must take into account local weather patterns and determine what a likely scenario is for days without sunshine. For critical applications we might double or triple that time. In non-critical instances we might not add any days of autonomy depending on budget. For most part of the US, in semi-critical applications (ie lighting, security, signage) we would plan for 3-4 days of autonomy.

Mounting and Enclosures

How the system is installed is important since most of these systems will need to operate with minimal maintenance. Generally smaller systems need pole mounts and battery enclosures to keep the weather out. Sealed or AGM batteries are preferred in these systems since they don’t require maintenance or ventilation. Another design consideration is wind load, snow load, and hail damage, since the remote locations are often exposed to extreme weather. Many remote solar power kits now come with the electronics, solar panels, and enclosures in one complete unit that can be transported to the site ready and set up in very short amount of time.

Typical Applications

You can size a solar power system to match any application. That’s one of the great things about solar is that it can be scaled for any project. But for most part there are some good ways to use the sun for your remote power needs. Here are a few:

1.Electronic Monitoring. Weather stations and water monitoring stations are perfect uses for PV and usually can be powered cheaply and reliably. Oil field monitoring is another area that is perfectly suited for remote power solutions.

2.Lighting. With the advances in LED and CFL lighting fixtures nearly any lighting setup can be powered with solar now. More and more we will see traffic, parking lot, and street lights powered with PV.

3.Small Moving Parts. Smaller moving parts that have intermittent use such as gate and garage openers can be powered by the sun. It is advisable to have a manual override so in case of power failure you can still get in or out.

4.Communications. Cell phone and communications repeaters are increasingly using PV as systems they are being installed in more and more remote locations. These can often be coupled with wind generators since they tend to be installed in high places.

5.Computers and Modems. Most computers and modems now use very low wattage and can be custom made for DC systems.

6.Small Volume Pumping. A ‘direct solar’ system can be designed to pump during sunny hours and then store the water using tanks, instead of storing the electricity with batteries.

7.Security Cameras and Recording Devices. If you’ve ever though about putting a camera in a far corner of your lot to monitor those pesky prowlers, you’ve no doubt wondered how you would get power to the spot. Now with a simple pole mounted panel and battery box you can power the camera, motor, and recoding device.

8.Cabins and Cottages. Remote homes can now be powered fairly easily with solar. The system should be designed for the owners usage patterns, but its best if heating, cooling, and refrigeration can kept out of the electrical circuit. Propane refrigerators, wood stoves, and natural cooling techniques will keep power systems simple and affordable. These system almost always need a backup as well, such as a gas generator.

Kriss Bergethon is a writer and

solar power kits

designer from Colorado.Kriss Bergethon is a solar expert and writer. For more of his useful articles on solar power, please visit

Solar Panels

, supplier of solar power panels, solar power kits, and more.

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Go Green with Solar Inverter

by

Indrani Singha

Solar Inverters are one of the latest and most energy saving power protection devices in the recent time. Basically, they are the electronic device which converts direct current (AC) to alternate current (AC) using solar energy. Solar energy is environment-friendly because it does not produce toxin, and is a renewable resource. The pace at which all our energy resources are diminishing day by day, the solar inverter can prove to be a fortunate thing in the long run. Solar electric systems are composed of Solar Panels, Batteries and Inverters. Batteries play the role of storing the energy produced and are used mostly at night when there is no sunlight. The electrical device which will be connected will be getting power directly from these batteries. The inverter converts the DC energy of the batteries and into AC power that can be used at home. If the solar energy is exploited well then we would be heading to a better future positively. There are two different types of solar inverter. The first type is called a True-sine-wave inverter which is very dependable and is the best choice for household equipments. The second type is Modified-sine-wave which is less costly than the previous one. Appliance like computers immediately converts AC power into DC, and so is perfect with Modified-sine-wave inverter.

First and foremost, you need to be conscious of the course of action of the entire installing system, quality of the inverter and the total amount of voltage you need for your home. You should also check whether the solar inverter has passed all government standards and certifications. Many reliable companies are selling solar products now-a-days. It s better to buy solar inverters from a reliable and trusted brand so that you get best vale for your money. Volta group specializes in delivering uninterrupted power supply. They are one of the full products that cover a wide range of power protection products which are admired across the country.

The high quality Solar Inverter comprises of all the latest technology. The most important advantage of using solar energy is that it is eco-friendly and produces no waste or pollution. We cannot imagine a world without electricity today. It is very essential to the whole world. Light bulb, fan, televisions, air-conditioners, all of these cannot function without electricity. Don t forget to take expert opinion before buying any solar inverter. Go green with solar power and enjoy a peace of mind.

http://voltaproduct.com customer driven company, we focus our efforts on providing the highest quality products with attentive after sales service and support,that ensures total customer satisfaction.

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