Solar System With Battery and Inverter Battery
Solar system with battery allows for power backup in case of grid failure. Different battery chemistries and sizes are available depending on energy needs.
If your existing string inverter is nearing the end of its lifespan, a DC coupled battery solution may be the right choice for you. This option minimizes power losses by keeping the battery close to the inverter.
Inverter
The inverter is responsible for the active processes that occur with a battery system (MPPT, battery charging, grid following). It is also the most intelligent component of such systems. For example, it can be programmed to start battery charging at a certain state of charge or to sell power to the grid at a specific time of day.
Solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, while most household appliances use alternating current (AC). An inverter converts DC energy from the panels into usable AC power for your home. It is sized to handle the amount of energy you need from the solar panels and battery system.
There are two main types of inverters: string inverters and microinverters. String inverters connect a group of solar panels (a string) to one inverter, which then converts the DC power from all the solar panels into AC. This is a more cost-effective approach, but it can HHS stackable battery limit the amount of energy that can be produced if one of the solar panels is shaded or damaged.
Battery-ready inverters, also called hybrid inverters, are starting to compete with traditional solar inverters as the market for integrated storage expands. Electriq Power, for example, uses Panasonic’s battery cells in a unique battery enclosure paired with a powerful hybrid inverter. Their batteries are DC and AC coupled, allowing them to be installed with new solar or as a retrofit.
Battery
A solar battery stores excess electricity from your solar panel system for use later, enabling solar systems that don’t connect to the grid to produce round-the-clock clean energy. Solar batteries are available in a variety of sizes, but are typically deep-cycle lead-acid or lithium ion technologies that can undergo multiple recharging cycles.
An installer will size your solar power system based on the amount of sunlight it receives throughout the day. Solar cells create DC electricity, which needs to be converted into AC energy for your home’s appliances and devices. An inverter is needed to change the current from DC to AC. During this process, some electricity is lost to heat. A higher inverter efficiency can help reduce this loss.
Some companies offer solar storage solutions with their own integrated inverters based on coupling needs, such as Sol-Ark, Enphase and SolarEdge. Hawai’i-based Blue Planet Energy, a recent entrant in the space, offers battery modules built into a cabinet that integrates with various inverters, including its own hybrid storage inverter.
These inverters are designed to handle the high voltages that may be present in a solar battery system. They can also prevent overcharging of the battery by bypassing its charge when it reaches a specific voltage set by the installer. In addition, they can ensure that electricity flowing from the battery to your home will always have a frequency that is compatible with electrical equipment (typically 50-60Hz), safeguarding your appliances and other electronics.
Charger
A battery inverter works the same way as the more common solar inverters, but they also have the added ability to charge a battery bank. This makes them an essential part of a solar power system, whether or not you have a grid connection.
Solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, but most household appliances and devices use alternating current (AC). The inverter converts DC energy into AC energy for your home or business. The inverter also controls how much electricity is charged and discharged from the battery, ensuring that the battery doesn’t overcharge or overuse its capacity.
If you have an on-grid solar power system, it connects to your utility or power network and sends any excess electricity back to the grid when power-storage-brick necessary. This helps you avoid paying for expensive peak electricity during the day, and you can earn credits on your next bill if you make more than you use.
For solar systems with a battery, the inverter can bypass the battery during the night to run directly from the grid. This will help you save money on your electric bills and protect the environment. The inverter should be equipped with an AC-AC changeover switch and a DC disconnect between the battery and the inverter. Also, it is important to ensure that the inverter is a pure sine wave model because this prevents frying sensitive household circuitry.
Controls
A solar charge controller keeps track of energy flowing between PV arrays, batteries and electrical loads. It protects the battery from overcharging by reducing current flow into it when it reaches a high state of charge (SOC). Overcharging damages deep-cycle batteries by splitting the water in the electrolyte to hydrogen and oxygen gas that causes water loss and short circuiting. It also creates a fire hazard and can overheat the system components.
Most solar charge controllers use pulse width modulation or maximum power point tracking technology to regulate the voltage and current coming from the PV array. They also include electronic protections that guard against nighttime reverse current, overvoltage, high temperatures and battery reverse polarity.
There are two types of solar charge controllers: shunt and series. Shunt controllers use a switch that is opened or closed depending on the battery’s state of charge to interrupt the current from the PV array. These controllers are typically sized to 60 amps and have built-in overload protection.
Series controllers are similar to shunt controllers, but they use a series switch that is opened or closed by the state of charge to disconnect the solar panel output from the battery. This type of controller has a limited capacity for system growth and may not be as durable as other designs. Some premium solar charge controllers come with features such as remote monitoring, which is especially helpful for off-grid systems.
