Advantages Of A Solar Electric System

There are three distinct advantages with a solar electric system. These are
(1). The system contains no moving parts and needs no maintenance;
(2). The system can be enlarged by discontinuous units;
(3). The cost of the system is a once and for all expenditure.
The system requires 4 components
(a) . solar electric panels (b) . a converter (c) . an inverter (d) . batteries
A solar electric panel resembles a hot-water panel that one sees on the roofs of many homes. But the comparison ends here. When the sun strikes a solar electric panel, it produces D.C. or direct current. I have 2 such panels. They cost US$400 each. With a length of cable obtainable locally, one connects the solar electric panel to a converter which regulates the amount of current which goes into the batteries. One can get a converter for US$200.

Next is an inverter. This component is required because every appliance in the home is on A/C current. An inverter is needed to convert the DC current into AC current. Cost of an inverter is about US$3,000
From the inverter by means of a cable, one comes to the batteries. These are like a car battery, a reservoir of energy. A solar electric system will work very well without batteries; except one would not have made any provision for the night time, when the sun is not shining.
I recommend no-maintenance batteries. These are obtainable locally. After a service of approximately 6 years, one needs to change them with no- maintenance replacements.
It should be remembered at all times that one must ground the system properly.