Solar Power-Tutorial

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Solar Power 101 — Batteries: Part 1
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago87.html

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM

Issue 87 May/Jun 2004

This article is the first in a series of what will be a beginner’s course in solar electricty. Simultaneously we have instituted a Home Energy Information (http://www.homeenergy.info) section on our website where you can ask questions of Jeff Yago, the author of this series. Yago is a licensed professional engineer and certified energy manager who has writtten many energy articles for BHM. He has extensive solar thermal and solar photovoltaic system design experience, and is author of Achieving Energy Independence — One Step At A Time, which includes many solar system wiring examples. Those interested in solar electricity will want to save these articles for future review when planning your solar system. --- continued at link, above ---

Includes:

• System types
  Batteries
  Summary

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Solar Power 101--Batteries, Part II
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago88.html

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM

Issue 88 Jul/Aug 2004

This is Part 2 of a two-part discussion on battery storage systems. Most solar or generator based backup and off-grid power systems will require a battery bank to store energy for use later when the sun is not shinning or the generator is not running. A battery bank is like the gas tank in your car. The larger the tank, the longer you can go between fill ups. However, a larger tank also means it will take longer to fill up when you do stop. Also, the larger the car’s engine (electrical load) the faster you will drain the gas tank (battery), which means you will need to stop more often for gas (recharge). --- continued at link, above ---

Includes:

• Battery life
  Battery ratings
  Battery sizing
  Battery interconnect wiring
  Battery protection

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Solar Power 101--Inverters
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago89.html

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM

Issue 89 Sep/Oct 2004

This third installment of our continuing course on solar electric power system basics will address power inverters. Since all solar photovoltaic modules generate DC electricity, unless all of the lights and appliances being powered are DC, an alternative energy power system will need to include an inverter. This device is used to convert the DC electricity from the solar modules and batteries into AC electricity. --- continued at link, above ---

Includes:

Inverter basics
Grid-tie systems
Inverter features
Inverter shopping tips

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Solar Power 101--Solar arrays
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago90.html

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM

Issue 90 Nov/Dec 2004

I am going to use Part 4, the final installment of our Solar Power 101 series of articles, to dispel some of these solar array misconceptions, and hopefully make you a more knowledgeable solar consumer. --- continued at link, above ---

Includes:

• Basic array sizing
  Expected system performance
  Solar module types