In this modern era of high energy costs and serious environmental concerns relating to the depletion of natural resources and the advent of global warming, incorporating a solar energy system into your home, office, or construction project can be a great way to save money and do your part to help save the planet at the same time.
While setting up a solar energy system may seem a bit daunting at the outset, a basic understanding of necessary components along with an attention to quality parts will make preparation and installation a breeze.
The most prominent piece of a solar energy system are the solar panels themselves, but these panels require a number of accessories to translate into energy efficiency and savings, as well as a working system.
One of the main components of a solar energy system is the controller, which acts as a liaison device between the panels and the battery bank that stores produced energy for practical use.
In times of excessive sunlight, the energy produced by the panels may exceed the storage capacity of your battery bank; with a direct connection, the batteries can become overloaded, leading to a number of safety concerns in addition to causing battery failure. A solar controller acts as a preventative device in this instance, regulating the amount of energy allowed to pass between the panels and the waiting batteries.
But a solar controller is more than a simple preventative measure in case of overcharge; it is also capable of increasing or decreasing the system voltage as needed, and can automatically reset in the event of a short circuit, improving the overall efficiency of your solar system while ensuring the integrity of your battery bank.
A solar controller carries the additional benefit of acting as an indicator of the overall health and efficiency of your solar energy system. Modern solar controllers can be purchased with an array of readouts and associated options, from digital output windows to special LED light indicators to audio options that can alert you to any problems, as well as announce fully charged batteries.
Picking a suitable solar controller for your system is largely a matter of personal preference; just make sure you purchase a device with a suitable amp rating according to the wattage of your panels. Whether simple and effective or fully loaded with options, your solar controller will play an important part in the proper functioning of your solar energy system.
Andy Bauer is a tech writer for http://www.westfloridacomponents.com, an internet based retailer of electronic parts and supplies including solar panels and solar controllers.
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