When it comes to solar power, energy storage is critical. Remember, the sun is not shining 24 hours a day. Even when the sun is shining, there is only a small slice of time where it will be shining its brightest, bringing your solar panels to peak output. For the majority of a 24 hour period, a solar array will not be producing power.
This makes energy storage a crucial component of any solar setup. The type of batteries used for solar storage are generally 12 to 24, or 48 volts. A solar panel on its own has a voltage curve that is too unstable and usually out of range to charge a battery. This is why a solar charge controller is always needed with these setups.
Articles in this category will focus on solar panels, MPPT charge controllers, voltage regulation, and various system voltages.
How To Build A DIY Solar System
Going DIY to build your solar system can save a lot on costs. However, there are lots of variables to figure out in terms of planning and setup. We put together this guide to help make the planning and set up processes easier.
How To Clean Solar Panels Dust, Dirt And Snow
When dust dirt and snow build up on your solar panels you can loose 5-25% of possible output. Check out our guide on how to clean solar panels to make this maintenance job quick, easy, and safe!
PWM Vs. MPPT Solar Charge Controller
If you are choosing a solar charge controller, some consideration is needed to decide whether MPPT or PWM charge controller is right for your application. We have laid out the two available options to help you make a clear and easy choice.
How To Connect Solar Panels To Battery
If you want to explore the realm of off-grid living, then you are going to need to know how to connect solar panels to a battery. Solar panels and batteries both come in a range of voltages and those voltages generally never match. So you need some sort of converter, regulator, or controller between the solar panel and battery.
How To Size An Inverter
As the cost of solar panels continues to plummet, solar systems and their associated chargers and inverters have dramatically increased. This means there are many solar inverters available on the market to choose from. In this article, we will discuss the top 5 solar inverters. We will consider cost, size options, warranty, and efficiency when making this list.