Accessories for Your Residential Solar System
The solar panels get most of the attention and glory, but they are just the most visible piece of a residential solar power system. Other invaluable components are the wiring, charge controller, inverter, and even the smart meter that measures the electricity the system produces. In addition to these essential components there are a number of solar system accessories which you may find beneficial. The most well known being…
Batteries
Batteries are often an essential part of a solar power system, just ask anyone living off the grid. But many more urban homeowner with grid-tied systems may choose to accessorize with a battery backup system. It provides protection against grid malfunctions and blackouts (even with a solar system, if it is grid-tied and the grid goes down, your solar system will too).
Battery Enclosures
Say you have several batteries in your battery bank. Wouldn’t it be nice (and safe) to have somewhere to put them? Somewhere to protect them from the elements, from damage and accidents. Check out these examples from Midnite Solar.
Lightning Arrestor
You can protect your solar system from a massive power surge resulting from a lightning strike with a lightning arrestor. This little gadget is like a forcefield for your solar electric system, and only runs around $60. Perhaps not a bad idea if you live in a storm-prone area.
Combiner Boxes
These boxes will be installed with your PV array but are nonetheless an accessory that requires mention. For one, there is always the chance it may need to be replaced (check your warranty if so), and two, it is essential for meeting electrical codes. A combiner box connects several single panels in an array so that electrical current is consolidated into one wire. Think of it like several highways merging into one interstate freeway.
Stop Switch
Just as the name implies, this switch allows you, for whatever reason, to stop your solar power system should you choose. It is to your solar array what a valve is to your water supply. Here is one example.
Tester
Last but certainly not least is an electrical tester for your solar system. Just like every electrician has a volt meter, so every solar homeowner could do with a tester. It’s just like the kind you might use to test an outlet at home only upgraded for use with a solar electric system. This 7-function multi-tester, available through DiscoverPower, allows you to test DC voltage, DC current, AC voltage, resistance, transistor test, diode test, and battery test.
These are a few accessories. Have you purchased accessories for your residential solar power system not mentioned here? Please share. Click here if you are looking to install a solar electric system.
Posted on July 16th in Solar Products by Dan.