Page 61 - The Homeowner's Handbook 2017
P. 61
Exteriors / Roofing / Structure / Insulation / IAQ / Windows & Doors / Heating & Cooling / Lighting / Appliances / Plumbing / Finishes / Cabinets & Tops / Alternative Energy
Ways to go SOLAR PRO TIP:
Make Ready. Even if you don’t
plan to install solar electric panels
or solar hot water now, if you pre-
Lease or Own? The rise of solar wire and pre-plumb, you can save
leasing programs is putting solar thousands on a later installation.
arrays on more rooftops. A leased
system must be grid-tied; if you
own your system, you will have to
weigh the pros and cons of being
tied to the grid or not.
Meter
Photovoltaic Wind Controller Grid-Tie
SMA Sunny Boy Storage panel Turbine Inverter
Battery Inverter Different Approaches to Solar at Home
The Sunny Boy Storage transformerless Creating electricity with either photovoltaic panels or wind turbines typically
battery inverter converts electricity from begins with production of direct current (DC) electricity. That current then
high-voltage battery to the grid, and vice passes through a transformer to become the typical alternating current (AC)
versa. The inverter, which was first introduced used in almost all homes (aside from some RVs and boats). Most modern
in Europe, is lightweight, affordable and systems do not include battery storage, simply because battery technology
efficient, and it is compatible with high- has not matured enough to warrant the expense and environmental impacts.
voltage batteries from several manufacturers. That may change in the next few years, but for now, the best bet is a grid-
The SMA Sunny Boy Storage battery inverter connected system that can later be reconfigured for advanced batteries.
can be used in both retrofits and new PV
installations. It will be available in 3.8- and 6.0-kW models.
www.sma-america.com RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ARRAY BY NRG HOME SOLAR
WWW.NRGHOMESOLAR.COM
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