What kind of panel and inverter is needed?

yrtrnc

Hello Guys

I want to setup a mini system at home to power at least the fridge during the day.

Let say a 300 W grid tie system. CAn you suggest an inveter and solar panel to use?

Thanks

BB.

Re: What kind of panel and inverter is needed?

Are you in Cyprus?

For a small system, you would use a "micro" inverter set up for 230 VAC at 50 Hz... I am not sure what micro GT inverters are available in your area--But some of the popular ones in our region are around 200 Watt output--So, you would install one or two of them.

The other question is the legality of installing GT solar in your country/with your power company... In North America, we have to pull building permits and get approval from the power company--And may have to change to a different type of power meter to support the billing plan. In our area, the newer meters will not run backwards and can actually charge us for generating power to the grid (meter always turns forwards to prevent billing fraud).

In the US, the costs for permits and the required separate branch circuit for such a small system is generally not worth the costs/efforts (you are supposed to run a separate branch circuit to wire into your solar GT inverter to prevent problems with over loading outlets and safety issues).

A 300 watt system will generate around 1.2 kWH per day or so (depending on your average "hours of noon time equivalent sun" per day). So--you have to figure out how much the avoided cost of electricity would be for you vs the overall costs of installing the system (plus permits, etc.).

In general, if you have not done a lot of conservation yet (insulation, fix drafty windows, find energy efficient appliances/heaters/air conditioners, replaced a desktop computer with a laptop computer, turn off unused appliances like DVRs/satellite-digital receivers, etc.), then you will generally find that doing conservation around your home will have a bigger payback than installing a small GT solar system.

See if you can find a Kill-a-Watt type meter. Plug in your various appliances (a few day each) and figure out what ones use "too much electricity" and get rid of them/replace them with more efficient units. Also, many modern electronics these days (digital receivers, appliances with digital controls, and such) will draw significant power even when off--and turning them off when not used can save a fair amount of power (some items like Satellite Receivers may need a few minutes to restart--And in some cases may need a phone call back to the support desk as they become "unregistered" if power is removed for days/weeks at a time).

-Bill

stephendv

Re: What kind of panel and inverter is needed?

Enecsys micro-inverters are available in 240W and 480W sizes, you could use most 72 or 60 cell poli or mono panels with them, I'd go for a 250W or 260W panel on a 240W inverter. Yingli, Suntech and Canadian Solar panels are currently available at very good prices.