Day 25 of #100daysofsolarnuggets
Inverter
Over the course of the program, we’ve discussed on the basic
components of a solar system, we have talked about Solar panels, batteries, and
charge controllers.
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Today we would be introducing Inverters.
Inverters are like the brains of the solar
energy system. Their main function is to take D.C. current from the Solar
panels or the batteries and convert them to AC current that can be used by our
appliance, this is to say that we can’t use our solar system without an Inverter.
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Things to note.
1.
Inverter does not supply Electric Energy (Power)
on it’s own, it merely converts from one form to another (From D.C. to A.C.). The Inverter must be connected to an energy source (Battery) for it to function. If
it is not connected to a battery bank it simply cannot be used.
2.
There are inverters and there are
Inverter/chargers.
i.
Inverters: All they can do is to convert D.C.
energy from the batteries to A.C. Energy that can be used by our appliances and
devices, they do not have inbuilt charges in them to charge the battery bank
from an A.C power source.
ii.
Inverters/charges: They convert D.C. Energy from
the batteries to A.C. Energy that can be used by our appliances and devices,
they also come with in-built chargers. The chargers enable them to charge the
batteries from an A.C. power source (Utility power supply or maybe Generators).
Inverter/chargers are particularly very
useful for solar systems that are also connected to the grid. What this means
is that you have the option of charging your batteries with your solar panels
and you also have the option of charging your panels with either the utility or
your generators.
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3. Inverter ratings
Inverters are rated in this format 1.5kw
12V, 2.5kw 24V , 6kw 24V,48v and so on
Let me explain in terms of power and voltage..
i.
Power(Kw)
1.5kw 12V. This means that the maximum power that your system can take is
1.5kw (Please note 1.5Kw is equal to 1500 watts, 1kw =1000watts; kw=Kilo
watts).If your system supplies a higher power than yourIinverter capacity, let’s
assume 2kw, not only would the extra 500watts of energy be wasted, the higher
power could damage your inverter if care is not taken.
ii.
Voltage(V)
2.5KW 24V.This mean your Inverter works with a 24 Volt system. The voltage
rating of the Inverter you buy is depended on the system voltage of your solar
system. It is very important that you do not purchase an Inverter with a
different voltage rating from your system.
You determine your system voltage from the voltage of your batteries and
Solar panels in your solar system.
Some
modern Inverters can work with two or more voltage systems for example 7KW 24V,
48V
Now there are three different types of Inverters used in
solar installation..
(To be continued).
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is day 25 and we
are through with the first quarter of our online solar class, It has been an
interesting journey so far as we have covered the basic of solar energy systems
and a few other things.
Solar Nuggets would be going on a 3 days
break, this is to enable everyone that has followed me so far properly revise
and understand what we have learnt so far.
We would resume officially on Tuesday morning
as we continue in the second quarter of the online solar class.
Feel free to ask
questions concerning any area you do not understand, I would be available to
answer any of your questions.
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