Most common solar systems are made up of four major components: photovoltaic panels, a charge controller, batteries and if you are using AC appliances or selling back to the grid, an inverter. If you have more questions or would like some more in-depth info, please feel free to ask the experts at The Solar Store.

The Photovoltaic Panels

Photovoltaic panels, also known as solar panels or PV for short, are made of semiconductor materials. Within solar panels there are both a positive and a negative layer of semiconductor material. When sunlight hits the semiconductor layer in the solar panel, electrons travel across the junction of the two different layers of semiconductor materials, creating an electric current.

The Charge Controller

Any solar system that uses batteries needs a charge controller to protect the life of the batteries. A charge controller prevents the solar panels from overcharging the batteries, and stops the batteries from being drained by the solar panels at night. Many charge controllers also show information about your solar system’s performance. Some even include a function called Low Voltage Disconnect, which prevents the batteries from being discharged too heavily. To pick the right charge controller for your system, you should first determine the type of batteries you'll be using (gel or lead-acid), then the voltage of your system (Usually 12, 24, or 48VDC) and the maximum amps your system can generate at that voltage. Remember, since charge controllers are relatively inexpensive, it is a good idea to oversize the charge controller. Doing so will not hinder system performance and will allow you to easily expand your solar array in the future.

The Batteries

Batteries are an essential part of any solar system that is designed to run during day and night. The two major types of batteries used in solar systems are lead-acid batteries and gel cell batteries. Lead-acid batteries are relatively low in cost but do require regular maintenance. Sealed gel cell batteries require almost no maintenance but can cost almost twice as much as lead-acid batteries and have larger physical dimensions. To determine the size requirement for your battery bank, see our Battery Sizing worksheet.

The Inverter

An inverter takes DC electricity from the solar panels or batteries, and converts in into the AC electricity used by common household appliances. Inverters generate one of three major “wave” characteristics. They are sine wave, quasi-sine wave and square wave. Sine wave inverters are required to run some sensitive electronics, and are usually recommended for large systems. However, since sine wave inverters are more costly, you can use modified sine wave inverters for running non-sensitive loads such as lights. There are many different brands and models of inverters. It’s a good idea to consider future expansion when choosing an inverter.
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