A solar generator can technically refer loosely to a solar power system that combines solar photovoltaic cells into a single power plant that generates electricity. It converts sunlight captured by solar cells into solar electricity and stores it as a low voltage, long-term power source for use at night or other remote periods when sunlight is not present. Generators are of many different types and are the most effective way of creating electricity from renewable resources such as wind and solar energy. Depending on your level of knowledge you can build a solar generator yourself, or you can pay someone else to do it.
The components of a solar generator consists mainly of a set of solar cells that are wired together in series. This also includes a battery bank to store the surplus energy during the day and a controller to maintain the battery’s charge. You will need to determine how many of each type of components you need. Typically a set of four to six solar panel panels is adequate.
Another important component is a storage unit for the surplus power. Some solar generators can be quite large and need a lot of space. In order to store this surplus energy the battery has to be big enough and have good capacity. Other times storage is not necessary because the solar generator itself creates the electricity needed. It is often the case that small appliances like coffee makers and cell phones run solely off of stored power rather than relying on a battery.
For most people the set up of a solar generator is fairly straight forward. You will need to locate a location where there is sufficient unobstructed open space and preferably a good amount of sunlight. Next you will need to make sure that whatever you build is placed so that it receives the maximum amount of sunlight possible. You should try to place it as far from any buildings, trees, or other objects that will block the sun’s rays from penetrating. Finally, you should make sure that the site you select has the best available power lines. All of these factors are important in determining the final configuration of your portable solar generator.
As you may have guessed, there are two main types of solar generator systems. The first type is known as the single solar panel system. This is usually the more popular system and is the most efficient when it comes to providing backup power. These types of generators utilize one large solar panel in order to collect and store the power for use by the backup power generator.
The second type of system is the multi-solar system. Multi-solar systems use a series of smaller solar panels in order to collect and store the power for use by the backup generator. These types of generators tend to be larger in size and are best suited for remote locations. The drawback with these generators is that they tend to be more expensive than their single panel counterparts.
One factor that many people do not consider before purchasing a solar generator is the size of their solar panel battery. Although the size of the solar generator is important, it is just as important to purchase a large enough solar panel battery as well. Although it may seem that a larger battery will make the solar generator itself bigger, in the long run this can actually cost more money because it requires more maintenance and is more difficult to repair. Therefore you should try to find a battery that is large enough to store enough energy for your needs but not so big that it becomes an issue.
You also need to choose between DC and AC voltage systems when looking to purchase a solar generator. Although solar generators designed for DC power use small amounts of batteries, AC systems work best with larger batteries. AC batteries are able to store a greater amount of energy and are more reliable when charging quickly. AC batteries are also better able to work with large DC power supplies that provide longer lasting and powerful supplies.