One of the key components of a residential solar power system is the battery bank. The function of the batteries is to store the electric current generated by the Photovoltaic (PV) panels during the day so it can be used to power your home electrical appliances when the sun is out.

However, charging the deep cycle batteries used on a home solar system can be quite tricky. Too much power from the solar panels going into the battery will damage its internal plates. Therefore, what you’ll need is a battery charging regulating device, or a charge controller.

The main role of the charge controller is to fully charge the deep cycle batteries by drawing power from the solar panels and automatic stop charging when the battery is full.

Another function of the charge controller is to prevent any backflow of current. During the day when the sun is shining, electric current will flow from the solar panel into the battery.

However, during night time, the solar panels will actually act as a load and draws power from the battery bank. This is known as current backflow.

If you do not take step to stop current backflowing, all the stored power in the battery will be consumed by the PV panels. Other than acting as a charging limiter, a charge controller also has a feature to prevent reverse current flow at night.

How does a solar charge controller works?

Inside the controller, there is a transistor that shunts the charging circuit at a preset level. When the preset voltage level is reached, the shunt opens therefore stopping the current flow.

It is the same in the reversed process. When the voltage drops below a preset level, the shunt will close and completing the charging circuit. So, when the power stored in the battery bank has been used, the charge controller reconnects the circuit and initiates the charging process.

The entire process is automated therefore freeing you from having to look at the battery voltage level constantly.

DIY Home Solar Power Guide

Do you want to know more on Do It Yourself (DIY) home solar power system? If you do, feel free to download a free copy of the 30 Solar and Wind Power For Homes Videos e-book.

The e-book consists of videos showing you all the parts and components needed for a homemade solar and wind power system. Click on the link below to download the e-book.

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All of us know how it’ll be like if we leave our car for too long under the sun. It will pretty much turn the inside of our car into an oven. Sunlight can actually raise the temperature inside our car to as high as 160 Fahrenheit in the summer! That’s hot folks, it is hot enough to crack the plastic dashboard.

Why does this happens? Glass, being a transparent material allows light in but it traps the heat. This is commonly known as the greenhouse effect.

How do we make use of this free, passive, clean and abundantly available solar energy for our home?

By utilizing the concept of greenhouse effect, we can use it to heat up air and circulate it around our house to warm the rooms in the winter months.

Commercially available solar air heater is quite expensive. If you are looking for one, be prepared to invest as much as $1000 for a unit.

A cheaper alternative is to make the solar air heater yourself. How do we do this? Check out the video below to see how it is done.

Do you want to know how to make your own solar air heater similar the one shown my Jim Meaney? If you do, click on the link below to see a step by step guide on how to make your own DIY solar air heater with minimal cost.

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If you are planning to power your home with solar energy, the simplest way to get started is to purchase solar integrated components such as solar panel, solar gazebo lights, solar air ventilation fan etc.

To install the solar components are quite simple. Taking the solar panel as an example, the entire unit can be installed on the deck of your roof quite easily. Some solar panel manufacturers also include accessories or attachment which fits your roof tiles or frame.

Installing the solar panel is straight forward, but it does require some strength. Although the entire solar module is quite light, but carrying it to the top of your roof can be a challenge. You will need a sturdy ladder and safety gear when you are doing the installation process.

Personally, I will do the installation myself for smaller solar component. However, if I need a complete solar system which will generate power for my house, most probably I will engage the service of a professional solar contractor.

How safe is it when we engage a solar contractor? What if they make a mistake and our house burns down?

If you are in the process of choosing a contractor to install the solar system, it is best to look at their history and precious track records.

There are not a lot of barriers for anyone to start a solar system installation business. The only thing we can use to judge the contractor’s capability is from their previous work.

It is a pain to go through all the list of contractors to find the one you like. Nonetheless, it is a necessity which will save you a lot of time, money and headache later.

To get started on using solar energy for your home, download a free copy of the 30 Solar and Wind Power For Homes Videos e-book. Just fill in the form on the top right for instant download.