Home Solar Explained In Less Than 3 Minutes

To put it simply, a home solar solution creates DC power when exposed to sunlight. This power then gets converted to AC power through the use of an inverter component. So what are your options? Well there's three solar systems to choose from:

• Traditional string system
• Micro inverter system 
• Optimiser system 

Let's walk you through these options......

Traditional String System:

This is the most common system used in the vast majority of installations, the main feature is all panels in this system are wired together. This could be a drawback if your property suffers from shading issues as if one panel becomes affected by shading then this will affect all panels.

Secondly, all panels have to be installed at the same angle towards the sun with the same string length. This means if you have shading issues or a unique shaped roof you may want to consider an optimiser system to make use of roof space and efficiency of panels. If you have none of these issues then a string system may be your best cost effective solution!  

Microinverter System:

This system takes away the one inverter and breaks it down to multiple micro inverters to be installed underneath each solar panel. Because of this, each solar panel can function as an individual and is not affected if one panel's performance drops or is affected by shading issues.

This could be a more costly solution if installed when there really is no need to do so. Another point to keep in mind is maintenance. Inverter life warranty is rarely equal to a solar panel warranty, so you need to ask yourself or question your installer 'Is the potential maintenance costs worth the energy savings?'.

Optimiser System:

This solution was designed to optimise the power generation of each solar panel, also turning each solar panel into a smart panel where performance can be monitored through an app. This system can have similar downfalls to the microinverter system in terms of maintenance, also with the solar being at the height of technology, would your solar solution benefit from being optimised? 

You may want your installer to look at your current energy consumption to see whether you would benefit from an optimiser system. Your installer may suggest not and alternately whether multiple lower powered panels or fewer high powered panels would meet your energy needs. A second alternative could also be solar battery storage; we will walk you through this later in solar system components.  

Components of a Home Solar System:

• Solar Panels - When considering what panels to use on your home, some installers may only work with selective brands. Other installers such as Yeames Solar consider multiple brands to meet your energy requirements; but what does this actually mean? 
  
  As shown below, option A is a higher wattage brand with larger size dimensions but can only fit 5 panels on the roof; whereas option B is a lower wattage brand that can fit 6 panels. The results show the most efficient in terms of energy efficiency and maximising roof space. 

• Inverters - This device simply converts DC electricity from your solar panels into AC electricity; which is the same current used from the grid. Although the function of this device is simple, when considering what inverter to use, a key detail that can be skipped is 'is my inverter compatible with my solar panels?'
  
  To avoid this it's recommended to stick with the same brand that is usd for your solar panels. However, there may be other inverters that better meet the needs of your energy requirements. To help figure this out Yeames Solar uses a compatibility software that suggests your best inverter options.  
  
• Batteries - This optional extra stores energy that can be used when the sun isn't around. On Average, a home will use 35% of energy generated from solar panels, a battery solution can boost this up to 70% with battery storage reaching 10 kWh per battery.  
  
  Unfortunately this can be the priciest component to introduce to your home solar system; although there are ways to combat this! Modular battery systems can be used  to introduce batteries to your home solar system over time, this is also a good way to determine what size batteries and how many you may need to meet your energy requirements.   

• Solar EV - If you have an electric vehicle or are soon to get one, then you may consider powering your car on sunlight. By using smart scheduling you can charge your electric vehicle cheaper with solar or from the grid during off peak hours!

And there you have it, your beginners guide to your home solar system. I hope this gives you a little more insight into home solar systems! If you would like to see what Yeames Solar can do for your home then you can register your interest at Yeames Solar Enquiries!