A residential solar system Nerang is a set of components that turn sunlight into electricity your home can use. These components include the panels, an inverter, an electrical panel and an electric meter.
Before installing a system, it’s important to understand your electricity usage and budget. Your installer will need a copy of your utility bill to determine an appropriate system size.
The Panels
Solar panels are a key part of the residential solar system. They generate electricity by converting direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC).
The number of solar panels you need depends on the size and location of your home. You can use past utility bills and the amount of sunlight your roof receives to estimate how much energy your house needs.
Using that information, you can calculate the number of solar panels you will need to cover your home’s average power requirements. This calculation, known as the production ratio, is done by dividing the annual energy consumption of your home by the wattage of each panel.
You can choose from a variety of panel types, including monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Both offer higher efficiency rates than thin-film panels, although the latter is less efficient and not as durable.
The Inverter
The inverter is the heart of your residential solar system, changing the power produced by your solar panels into electricity that you can actually use. This electricity is a form of direct current (DC), which you cannot use in a lamp or other appliance until it's transformed into alternating current (AC).
Inverters come in various sizes, and the size you choose depends on how much electricity you use at home, and how much storage you want to have. The inverter is also used to connect the solar energy you generate back into the grid, allowing you to earn net metering credits.
Inverters are designed to be smarter than they used to be. They can respond to changes in grid frequency and other disruptions that occur during grid operations, helping to stabilize the grid against these events.
The Electrical Panel
The electrical panel is a crucial part of a residential solar system because it distributes electricity to the various circuits in your home. It’s usually a metal box with a door, and it contains breakers that channel power to different sections of your home.
Upgrading your main panel is a good idea whenever you make an electrification upgrade or add more electricity demand to your home. For example, you might use an EV charger, install a hot tub or switch from gas to electric appliances.
Your main breaker panel also functions as a protection box, shutting off electricity to your home when the electrical load overloads. This is essential for safety and to avoid power surges that can damage your home’s wiring and appliances.
If you’re going solar, it’s a good idea to upgrade your electrical panel so you can take advantage of any surplus energy your panels generate and sell it back to the grid for a rate called a feed in tariff.
The Electric Meter
The electric meter is a critical part of the residential solar system. It measures the kilowatt hours of energy produced by your solar panels and is used to determine the amount of electricity that you will export back to the grid and how much credit you can earn from your utility.
A traditional analog meter typically has two dials that spin when electrons flow past them, showing how much energy you have consumed in kilowatt-hours. A meter reader from your utility company visits and reads your meter each month, which is how you are billed for electricity.
Smart meters are becoming increasingly popular because they allow your utility company to more accurately measure your energy use. They do this by measuring in smaller intervals than a traditional meter, reducing labor and administrative costs for your utility company.