Topic: Photovoltaic systems component selection

PV systems Integration powerpoint
Solar Decathlon (College solar contest) article from Home Power-Solar Decathlon.pdf file

Single crystal PV
Polycrystalline PV
Thin-film PV panels
PV Panel comparison
PV-PN Junctions
Charge Controllers
Solar Trackers
Solar Batteries
Inverters
Backup Generators
Amp-Hour meter

Inverter Size: Peak KW determines the inverter size. Keep in mind you will never run everything at once. Use a good guess, and often it comes down to what you can afford. Off the grid you will need a bigger inverter to handle all the loads. Grid-tie inverter can be smaller, since the grid will back up excess loads.

System voltage: Depends on wattage of your inverter.
1000-2500W = 12V
2500-4000W = 24V or 48V
4000W+ = 48V

PV Panels: Average KWH/day = PV panel array size x hours/day of sunlight (Use 4 hrs.)
or Average KWH/day / 4 = PV array size
example:
10KWH/day /4hrs = 2.5KW
2.5 KW of PV panels would be 25 100watt panels. (about $12,500)

Controller Amp rating:
Take PV panel output in Watts. Divide by system voltage (determined above) to calculate PV panel amps.
Controller must be rated at least this amount or higher.

Batteries: AVE KWH/day x days of storage = size of battery bank
10KWH/day x 3days of storage = 30KWH storage needed
Example: using 12V 105AH batteries = 1260 WH or 1.26KWH
30/1.26 = 24 batteries
or 30KWH = 30,000 WH
30,000WH/12V = 2500amp-hours
2500/105AH = 24 batteries

After doing this you can see the benefit of reducing your needs. Electric driers aren't recommended unless you have stock in electric utility.

HOMEWORK
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Pick your PV system and components, based on your load calculations.