Powering House Appliances With the Sun

Any house prone to getting frequent or sometimes even sparse power cuts is bound to own a UPS device or an inverter. An inverter is a device that uses switching circuits, control circuits, and transformers to convert DC or direct current to AC or alternating current. It is made up of batteries charged until complete when the grid is supplying power. When the inverter senses that the administration has been cut, but the appliances are still on and trying to work, the inverter gets to work. It converts the DC stored within the batteries to the AC used by the home appliances and supplies the power to them until the power comes back or the battery runs out of charge.

Switching to Solar Powered Homes

Switching from your regular inverter to a solar inverter is a wise choice for several valid reasons. One of the reasons includes reducing one’s carbon footprint as solar inverters do not produce greenhouse gases. It is a cost-effective option if one considers the inverter’s initial cost can be viewed as a down payment as the low maintenance and reduced electricity bills make up for it in the long run.

While making the switch, be sure to consider the life expectancy of the solar inverter of your choice. String inverters and central inverters through common only last for about 5 to 10 years, while microinverters last anywhere between 20 and 25 years. Battery-based inverters, on the other hand, last for only 2 to 5 years in total.

Types of Solar Inverter Systems

There are three types of solar systems available in the market: the on grid solar power system, the off-grid solar power system, and the hybrid solar power system. A hybrid solar power system is a newer variety of solar inverter that is a blend of the features of a PV inverter and a battery inverter. More homeowners have started opting for this type of system, especially when they want better energy backup options.

On-grid solar power system: The on-grid solar power system is one of the more common varieties. It results in the homeowner not spending a penny on electricity consumption unless his demand is greater than the supply. In an on-grid solar power system, the power is produced and supplied to the appliances in use only when it is available for use or when the grid is available. In the case of a grid outage, the power supply is cut off and requires a backup emergency power supply option to have the appliances at home continue working. The system’s main benefits include zero bills, low maintenance, income generation for the surplus electricity produced and supplied back to the grid, and convenience in the installation process.

Off-grid solar power system: An off-grid solar power system gets the current to charge its batteries from the energy provided by the sun. This solar energy is collected using solar panels. A home UPS or inverter is similar to this variety of a solar inverter in that they both store current in their batteries and then convert said DC to AC which is then supplied to the home appliances in use. During the day, the solar energy is directly taken from the off-grid solar power system and provided to the devices and apparatus using the power. When the solar energy supplied by the sun now is no longer enough to control the home, the solar inverter’s sensor alerts the system to make a switch to the batteries that have been storing current throughout the day.

Choosing the Right Solar Powered Inverter

There are several things to keep in mind while looking for the best solar inverter for your home, including sizes, brands, prices, models, and more. Here are a few of the essential things to consider before settling on a choice:

• Check whether or not the solar-powered inverter is lab certified and has a safety certification for the same.
• Consider selecting a solar inverter through a solar company that can help you decide the best solar inverter option according to your requirements.
• Determine whether the inverter you plan to purchase can provide the needed number of watts for your home appliances. Calculate the watts used by multiplying the volts with the amps.
• Although it is tough to attain a hundred percent efficiency rate, ensure that the inverter you plan to choose has a higher efficiency than others in the market
• Make sure to check reviews and feedback from rating and review websites that display the comments and suggestions provided by the solar inverter’s previous customers to help you make your choice.
• See whether or not the inverter falls within the average price range of 1000$ to 1500$

Conclusion

As the energy requirement is rising exponentially with time, there is a need to find solutions other than fossil fuels for energy generation. Thus, using solar energy for powering appliances is a way forward for a clean and green future.