3 Types of Solar Accessories for Solar Energy

Alternative energy solutions are growing in popularity. Despite the global pandemic, solar capacity increased 25% in the US from 2019 to 2020.

If you’ve taken the leap to install solar panels on your home or business, you want to be sure that your panels are operating to their full capacity. Solar accessories can help optimize the performance of your panels.

This post will walk you through common solar panel accessories and how they can improve your solar power system. Gather your energy and read on!

1. Solar Inverters

To understand solar power, you need to understand the difference between AC and DC electricity. AC and DC describe the type of electricity flow in a circuit. Direct current (DC) charges only flow in one direction while alternating current (AC) power periodically changes direction.

Most solar panels produce DC electricity. Most homes are set up for AC electricity. This is where an inverter steps in.

The inverter converts the DC power from your panels into AC so your home can use it. To choose the correct inverter size, you need to understand your home’s electrical load. Your inverter must be able to handle the maximum wattage your house requires.

2. Battery Bank

In addition to a solar inverter, you’ll need to be sure you have the right battery set up for your building. If you are in an off-grid system, your battery should accept DC power. To ensure you have access to the power you need, the battery should have a capacity that matches or exceeds your wattage demands.

A grid-tied system doesn’t require a battery because extra power enters the electricity grid. In this case, your electricity meter runs backward as you effectively “sell” excess power. Finally, a hybrid system has a battery to store excess output and also connects to a grid so you can access more power if needed.

3. Solar Controllers

The last accessory for this list is a solar power controller. You can see an example of controllers here. As evidenced by their name, solar power controllers manage the electricity that goes into the battery.

Controllers monitor the flow of power to ensure that batteries are not overcharged. At night, they stop the power from running backward and draining the batteries. Controllers come in the form of either “pulse width modulation” (PWM) or “maximum power point tracking” (MPPT).

While MPPT systems are typically more expensive, they utilize more of the power available from your panel. A solar installation specialist can help you determine which type of solar controller is best for your system.

Shop Solar Accessories To Optimize Output

With your panels installed and your solar accessories in place, you are ready to maximize your solar output and usage. As you turn to alternative energy sources, you contribute to a cleaner, greener world!

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