A couple of decades ago, solar power plants for the home were considered as something from the realm of fantasy. Now this direction is actively developing and does not surprise anyone. Despite a decent cost, such energy carriers are in demand, since they allow saving and creating your own autonomous energy source. Consider the features of these plants, their manufacture and installation with their own hands.
Features
Solar power plants for the home are beneficial in that they do not require additional calculations. The design is provided ready-made with a certain output power, which must be correctly selected during installation. Such systems are much more expensive than similar components separately, but do not require special installation effort. In any case, you have to choose between several modifications.
It is better to do this competently, not trusting a blind seller. When choosing a solar power plant for the home, you need to consider not so many factors. In general, there are four main aspects. Below we consider these indicators in more detail.
Power and type of panels
Deciding on a power indicator is quite simple. It is calculated taking into account the most powerful consumer in the home (rarely household appliances consume more than 3 kW). A small margin is added to the selected value, the required indicator is ready. If you take a good example, then on a sunny day you can turn on the washing machine and refrigerator. As a result, a power plant with an output of about 3 kW is enough for a small house.
The second criterion for choosing a solar power station for a private house is the type of panel. Three types of modern designs are known: film, single-crystal and polycrystalline models. The film version is considered the weakest in quality; it is gradually leaving the market. The choice between mono and polycrystalline panels depends on the average cloud cover of the region. The second modification in conditions of weak sunlight works more efficiently.
Inverter and controller
The next element that you should pay attention to when choosing solar power plants for the home is the inverter. The device is designed to increase the voltage of 6, 12 or 24 volts, which is issued by standard panels. The output is the usual indicator of 220 volts. The choice of this device is influenced by two main factors:
- Power. It should be able to withstand the required load with a margin.
- Type of output signal.
To avoid damage to household appliances, it is necessary to choose panels with a clean, rather than a modified sine wave output.
Another design element is the controller. The device distributes electricity and monitors battery charging. If there is no direct distribution of electricity from the panels or all the energy is involved, the controller gives a charge to the batteries. In the event of a lack of solar energy, the device takes energy from the tanks. In fact, the device does a monotonous but important job, without which the whole system will not be able to work.
How to make a home solar power station with your own hands?
For independent manufacture of the structure, the above materials and some additional devices (special wiring with connectors and connectors, helium batteries, installation parts) will be required.
Assembling a homemade solar station begins with the installation of installation elements. They represent a rigid frame from a profile pipe. The design of this part depends on the installation location, but the general configuration has a standard layout. It represents an element in a rectangle, with special clamping devices attached to it with a rubber cushion. The structure can be assembled directly on the roof or on the ground.
Main stage
At the next stage of the construction of an autonomous solar power station for the home, it will be necessary to fasten the panels. There is nothing complicated in this. Each element is fixed with screws. The main thing is not to show excessive zeal so as not to deform the panel.
Then, the fastened parts are switched into a single circuit. For this, the panel elements are connected in series with each other. At the fixation points, tees with connectors are installed. It must be remembered that after exposure to sunlight, the structure begins to generate energy. In order to avoid injury by current discharge, the assembly sequence must be strictly observed. The connection starts from the controller, and in front of it a circuit breaker is mounted. First of all, the main highway is laid with the installation of tees in the necessary places. Only after completion of these works, short cables with connectors are mounted through which the panels are connected to the tees.
Final work
At the final stage of installing a solar power plant for the home, a battery pack is connected to the controller. The more they are in the bunch, the better (this will make a significant supply of energy). Batteries should be purchased special (automotive low-capacity counterparts are not suitable). They are electric tanks with a volume of at least 150 A / hours. The best option would be helium models that are connected together in parallel. By connecting plus with plus and minus with minus, you can save voltage, while the total capacity will increase.
Further, the inverter is connected directly to the batteries according to the same principle. Otherwise, the item will not function. An inverter output with a voltage of 220 volts is connected through a circuit breaker to the home network. This is the whole process of creating a solar power station for the home (6 kW). The main thing is to properly plan the process and delve into the principle of the design.
Interesting information
It is worth noting that, while still in the domestic space, the calculations of the profitability of the considered energy sources are not very bright. If the surplus energy is not sold to neighbors at an adequate price, the system does not fully pay off. The classical form of supplying unused energy to the city network for a penny does not bring any positive results.
The state does not prohibit the use of ready-made solar power plants for the home, although it does not encourage it at all. For this reason, the installation of such structures is optimal where network electricity is completely absent.
The described steps for installing and assembling a solar power station are enough to correctly select the appropriate modification. You can save extra money if you do the assembly yourself from individual parts. Power calculations are also not a problem. In extreme cases, you can hire a specialist who, for a moderate fee, will draw up all the drawings and diagrams.
Solar power plants for the home: reviews
As the responses of the owners indicate, solar power plants are easy to install. They can be installed not only on the roof, but also on the walls from the sunny side. In a couple of days, the whole structure can be assembled and mounted by one person. The kit includes mounting hardware that allows you to mount the panels in various positions.
If the energy supply system is mixed (network plus solar option), mark those sockets and devices that work from the panels, and after a month calculate the savings. As the owners note, despite the fact that you first have to invest decently in the project financially, the result will not take long to take into account the fact that you do not need to pay for autonomous energy. On the contrary, it can be sold.
Consumers note that if the batteries are not enough to store energy, do not rush to completely abandon the central connection. Since the resource of solar stations is at least 20 years, the payback will be substantial, albeit long-term.