"How To Install Solar System At Home" Do you want to learn how to solar system at home, do you want to learn the complete step by step guide of how to install solar system for yourself at home. Are you searching for how to install solar system at home, how to install solar energy at home, how to install solar power in your home, how to install solar power or how to install solar energy. If yes, Infoguide Ng has brought a complete step by step guide of how to install solar system at home. This article cover tthe DIY solar setup and step-by-step assembly guide. This article focused on constructing a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) solar power system, aimed at beginners. It begins with an overview of the four primary components—solar panels, charge controller, battery, and inverter—and the necessary tools. The article explain the three main connection steps: linking the charge controller to the battery, connecting the solar panel to the charge controller, and finally, hooking the battery up to the inverter, emphasizing critical safety and polarity precautions. This guide concludes with instructions on reconnecting the system for use and a note on the importance of monitoring battery discharge to prevent damage.
The goal of this instructional guide is to introduce the assembly of a DIY solar setup for beginners, providing a high-level overview and step-by-step process that anyone can perform. Learning this skill allows for easy customization and modification of the setup as future needs change.
Overview of the System Components and Tools.
The solar system operates using four primary components:
- Solar Panels: These collect energy from the sun and transfer it via cables.
- Charge Controller: This device regulates the energy received from the solar panels.
- Batteries: These store the energy passed from the charge controller.
- Inverter: This device converts the stored energy from the battery into usable electricity (like that used in a wall socket) to power items such as phones, laptops, or refrigerators.
The system requires three primary sets of cables that are typically purchased with proper connectors already attached: cables connecting the charge controller to the battery, cables connecting the battery to the inverter, and cables connecting the solar panel to the charge controller.
Tools needed for assembly include: A Phillips screwdriver (large and small), a crescent wrench or socket wrenches, and needle-nose pliers.
Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions.
The DIY solar setup is assembled in three main steps.
Step 1: Connecting the Charge Controller to the Battery.
Safety Precaution: This step must be completed before connecting the solar panels to the charge controller, as failing to do so will damage the charge controller.
1. Identify Charge Controller Terminals: Most charge controllers have six cable insertion points.
- PV Plus and PV Minus (Photovoltaic): Where the solar panel cables connect later.
- Bat Plus and Bat Minus: Where the battery cables connect (used in this step).
- Load: The final two holes, which are not covered in the instructions.
2. Prepare Cables: The cables connecting the charge controller to the battery have lugs on one end (for the battery connection) and are stripped on the other end (for the charge controller connection). If both cables are black, special attention must be paid to tracking positive and negative connections.
3. Connect to Charge Controller: Insert the stripped ends of the cables into the Bat Plus and Bat Minus terminals. Use a Phillips screwdriver and turn counterclockwise to open the connector. Slide the stripped cable ends into the terminals one at a time. Turn the screwdriver clockwise to tighten the screw firmly to prevent the cables from coming out; test the connection by lightly pulling on the cables.
4. Connect to Battery: Unscrew the bolts on the battery.
- Double-check that the negative cable is connected to the Bat Minus connector on the charge controller.
- Place the negative cable lug onto the negative battery post and insert the bolt, tightening it down finger tight initially, as the inverter cable will be added later.
- Connect the positive cable to the positive battery post using the same approach, tightening the nut finger tight.
5. Configure Settings: Once the charge controller is connected, its screen will turn on. Configure the battery settings, including defining the battery type (e.g., lithium battery) and the voltage (e.g., 12 or 24 volt, 12 volt in this case). Configuration may be done using the charge controller's interface or an accompanying app.
6. Optional Monitoring: A temperature sensor is highly recommended (if not included) to monitor the storage temperature of the batteries. Some models also feature an optional Bluetooth module to observe charge controller information via an app.
Step 2: Connecting the Charge Controller to a Solar Panel.
1. Gather Materials: This step requires the solar panel (e.g., 100 watt) and extension cables that have MC4 connectors on one end and are stripped on the other.
2. Manage Polarity: It is important to observe the plus and minus signs on the solar panel cables. If the cables are the same color (like two black cables), use tape or writing to keep track of positive and negative connections.
3. Connect Extension Cables: Keep the solar panel out of the sun while connecting the extension cables to the cables coming off the solar panels.
4. Connect to Charge Controller: Insert the stripped end of the negative cable into the pv minus connection and tighten it. Next, insert the stripped end of the positive cable into the pv plus connection and tighten it down.
5. Test Charging: Place the solar panel into the sun. The charge controller should show a charge coming in, indicating the battery is officially charging. This confirms the solar panel, charge controller, and battery setup are working.
Step 3: Connecting the Battery to an Inverter
Safety Disconnection: Before starting, disconnect all active power sources.
1. Disconnect the cables from the solar panels at the PV plus and PV minus connections on the charge controller.
2. Disconnect the charge controller from the battery: unscrew the positive bolt first and remove the positive charge controller cable, then unscrew the negative bolt and remove the negative charge controller cable.
3. Connect to Inverter: Connect the positive inverter cable to the positive post and the negative inverter cable to the negative post on the inverter first (not the battery first).
4. Install Fuse: It is recommended to install a fuse on the positive inverter cable. A 175 to 200 amp fuse is appropriate for a 2000 watt inverter.
- Ensure the fuse is flush with the lug on the positive inverter cable, and there is no washer placed between the inverter cable and the fuse.
5. Connect to Battery (Inverter Test): Connect the negative cable from the inverter to the battery. Place the bolt connecting the fuse to the positive inverter cable onto the positive battery terminal; a spark is expected. Finger tighten these bolts to test the connection.
Reconnecting the Charge Controller and Inverter (Final Assembly):
The final step is to reconnect the charge controller along with the inverter cables to the battery, essentially repeating Step 1 while integrating the inverter.
1. Bring the negative cable from the charge controller and connect it to the negative post of the battery, along with the lug connecting the negative cable to the inverter. Tighten this bolt with a wrench.
2. Bring the positive cable from the charge controller and connect it to the positive post on the battery, along with the lug from the cable connecting to the inverter. Tighten this bolt down with a wrench.
3. Crucial Lugs and Washers Detail: When tightening the lugs on cables to the batteries, there should be no washer in between the battery posts and the lugs on the cables; the lugs must be flush on the battery post. The washers should be placed on top of the lugs to push them down to the battery post.
4. Reconnect the solar panel to the charge controller (negative cable first, then positive cable).
Step 4: Testing the Setup.
With the solar panel charging the battery, turn on the inverter. If everything is operating as expected, the setup should be producing a pure sine wave off the inverter, which allows for safely powering electronics and appliances that would typically plug into a standard wall socket, such as a TV or refrigerator.
Battery Discharge Warning
An important detail regarding battery management involves discharging the battery. You can safely discharge the battery down to 20% of its capacity while it is under load and powering devices via the inverter. If the battery capacity drops below 20% while under load, it can damage the battery. A battery monitor can be added to track this information.
I believe this step by step guide will help in learning how to install solar system at home.
Here's a video that explain How To Install Solar System At Home (DIY Setup For Beginners)
