Solar Energy Kits Guide
What is a Solar Energy Kit?
Put simply, a Solar Energy Kit is a collection of components can be used to install and run a Solar Energy System for commercial or residential houses, here are the basic components that you can expect in most Solar Energy Kits.
Solar Panels
The Solar Panels is one of the most important components of the Solar Energy Kit , without it you can not get the energy from the sun
The Photovoltaic Cell converts photons that come directly from the sun and transforms it into electricity .
- Solar Panels come in differents sizes and there are 2 Main types of panels
What is the right size?
The simple answer is how much energy do you want to produce from the sun. A lot depends on the total number of watts you’re looking to produce, here’s how to calculate:
9 times 330w panels equal 2970 watts total.
Or, you could have 10 times 275w panels equals 2750 watts total.
It all depends on the overall amount of watts you need.
Panel Types
Both do the same job but the main difference is:
Monocrystalline is more expensive, more efficient, smaller, more heat resistant and black.
In your kit you should have the following parts to go with your panels:
- Solar Panel Mounting Brackets
- Solar Panel Cable Pack
- MC4 Connector Pack
Your next question might be “How Much do I need?”, this is a good question and an important one.
To determine your home’s average energy requirements look at past utility bills. You can calculate how many solar panels you need by multiplying your household’s hourly energy requirement, More info below!
Solar Inverter
The next important component of every Solar Energy Kit is an inverter, without this piece of equipment there is no way to convert your energy coming from the Solar Panels into usable electricity for your home.
*We suggest you also read our Inverter Guide.
Inverters come in many varieties and depending on your intended application. Each kit you will see will be based on the inverter type , here are the main types of inverters:
An Off-Grid inverter has the ability to run independently and without being tied to the grid at all, commonly used on properties that don’t have any connection to the grid.
They come in various kw sizes with various features, the main feature, however, is the ability to connect to a battery or another type of power source such as a generator.
With Off-Grid inverters, the Solar Panels charges these batteries via the inverter.
More popular in the commercial sector the Grid-Tied inverter is ideal for those who use their electricity in the daytime , as the Solar Panels are producing charge it goes directly through the inverter and powers the appliances or lights.
Also in a variety of sizes, it’s recommended that you purchase a size that can handle more than you require , during the winter months there is less sunlight which in turn will produce electricity.
It’s also important to note that it’s the cheapest option to buy, therefore giving you Fantastic Value for your Money!
For example:
If the Solar Panels aren’t producing enough energy to power the appliances running, instead of switching completely to the batteries it will only use what it needs in order to make up for the missing supply .
Out of the 3 main types of inverters, the Hybrid offers the most versatility.
If the Hybrid inverter doesn’t blend the energies like this they are referred to as Self-Consumption Inverters. These inverters switch over to an energy source, they don’t blend making them less efficient .
In your kit you should have the following parts to go with your inverter:
- AC Switch Disconnector/s
- DC Switch Disconnector/s
It’s worth noting that inverter is very important so it’s worth looking at the best one you can afford.
Solar Battery
With every Solar Energy System kit you will require battery backup . Solar Power batteries work in similar ways to every other battery, the main differences being that they’re bigger and they require a controller to protect them from overcharging or over depleting and they are deep-cycle.
Most modern Lithium-ion batteries that are available have a Battery Management System (BMS), this is a fantastic feature as this prevents any over-charging, surge overloads, more cycles, longer lifespan and more.
They are sleeker, lighter and tend to be either rack mounted or wall mounted making them a more aesthetically pleasing.
In your kit you should have the following parts to go with your batteries:
- Cable Pack
- Mounting brackets or cabinet (optional)
When it comes to batteries you should consider the lifespan, Lead Acid variations don’t live as long and are prone to issues if not installed properly.
If you’re looking for the cleanest, more reliable and hassle-free option we always recommend Lithium-ion. Although more expensive it’s still a good investment.
What Are The Advantages Of A Solar Energy Kit?
More often than usual each home or residential setup is different.
For example, if you are looking for a 5kw Hybrid Solar Energy System with backup there are somewhat similarities.
Each kit will consist of:
- Solar Panels
- Hybrid Inverter
- Batteries
- Mounting
- Cabling & switches
When you choose a kit you can use it as a base to work off of. This is the main benefit of a Solar Power Kit, for example:
- You can add more batteries
- Change the Inverter for another brand
- Choose what panel type and size you want
Grid-Tied Solar Power Kits
The Grid-tied solar power kit is the simplest of all solar solutions.
If you have high usage in the day such as pool pumps, borehole, washing machine, geyser in the day etc, this solution will compensate for the energy use and offer the highest return on investment. Often paid back within 3 years.
Great for daytime businesses: