Solar Technology Alabama |
| E-Mail |
| 256-482-2063 |
| Alabama's Source for Renewable Energy Call or email today |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Deep Cycle Battery Bank operates a 2kW inverter and a solar water heater. |
- Off Grid homes and Cabins
- Resilient Neighborhoods
- Home Security and Independence
- Remote Industrial and Farm Sites
Battery systems are the core of solar energy. Batteries allow you to store the energy you harvest from the sun
and use it when needed - even if the sun is not shining. A carefully designed system can provide you with
reliable power to your critical loads. Solar panels maintain the battery charge so that they are ready for daily
or emergency use.
Because battery solar systems provide power to critical loads, for emergencies, or survival, "return on
investment", "break-even point" and "saving money" are not normally considerations. A single use may fully
justify the expense of the system. Government instability and economic uncertainty make a battery based
solar system part of your preparedness.
Alabama has its share of power interruptions. Hurricanes, ice and thunder storms, and tornadoes all knock
the power off. The utility company will restore the power in most cases - if you are patient. However, what will
you do if the power grid becomes unreliable or is attacked and is off for an extended period? Stop for a
moment and consider what you will do if the electric power is off for a month, two months, or longer. If you are
totally dependent on grid power, you will be without. A solar battery power system is part of the answer.
Neighborhoods are organizing into neighborhood watches to provide for their common needs in the event of a
long-lived disaster, government failure, or civil unrest. Solar power is necessary to provide for
communication, water pumping, battery charging, security lighting. Solar battery systems are an integral in
these neighborhoods to sustain critical life systems.
The smallest of these systems can charge batteries for radios, flash-lights, security lights, and other small DC
appliances. If you want to operate common appliances, an inverter is combined with the battery to provide the
AC current for these appliances. A moderately sized system can provide enough energy to operate everything
you need to live "off-grid", even if you are currently connected to the utility company.
Here is a brief explanation of the options in battery solar systems:
| Battery PV Systems |
| Solar panels supplying energy to 45 amp battery charge controller |
| 24 volt 800 amp-hour battery charged by solar charger |
| Solar Panels, Battery Chargers, and Inverter System Sells excess power to the grid |
| Grid-Tied Battery Systems |
| Stand-Alone Battery Systems |
Grid-Tied battery solar system work just like the
stand-alone systems except they have a special
inverter that sells excess energy back to the utility.
When the utility goes down, the system continues to
provide power to your critical load panel from the
battery.
Additionally, the grid can charge your batteries
when the sun is not shining, saving some generator
time and fuel. A generator is required for battery
charging when the grid is down.
Connecting to the grid requires an agreement with
the utility company. Alabama Power and most TVA
Cooperatives will permit the connection and TVA
offers an attractive incentive. If your system is 2500
watts or larger, we recommend the connection. The
initial cost of the system is higher but over time, it
will recover this cost and begin to pay down your
investment. Nice!
stand-alone systems except they have a special
inverter that sells excess energy back to the utility.
When the utility goes down, the system continues to
provide power to your critical load panel from the
battery.
Additionally, the grid can charge your batteries
when the sun is not shining, saving some generator
time and fuel. A generator is required for battery
charging when the grid is down.
Connecting to the grid requires an agreement with
the utility company. Alabama Power and most TVA
Cooperatives will permit the connection and TVA
offers an attractive incentive. If your system is 2500
watts or larger, we recommend the connection. The
initial cost of the system is higher but over time, it
will recover this cost and begin to pay down your
investment. Nice!
Stand-alone battery solar systems do not sell power
to the grid. The solar panels charge the batteries
and power your loads. During extended sunless
days, your batteries charge from the grid or from
your generator.
In an existing home, a stand-alone system can
power critical loads to sustain life and comfort in an
emergency or a crisis.
These systems can be very small and inexpensive
or they can be large enough to provide power to a
home - IF it is designed properly.
An off-grid home must be designed to be
comfortable with minimal energy requirements.
Most houses built today (or in recent history)
assume abundant and low-cost energy and would
require a very large and expensive solar system. If
you want the freedom of living off-grid, visit the
Alabama Solar Technology Center to gather ideas.
to the grid. The solar panels charge the batteries
and power your loads. During extended sunless
days, your batteries charge from the grid or from
your generator.
In an existing home, a stand-alone system can
power critical loads to sustain life and comfort in an
emergency or a crisis.
These systems can be very small and inexpensive
or they can be large enough to provide power to a
home - IF it is designed properly.
An off-grid home must be designed to be
comfortable with minimal energy requirements.
Most houses built today (or in recent history)
assume abundant and low-cost energy and would
require a very large and expensive solar system. If
you want the freedom of living off-grid, visit the
Alabama Solar Technology Center to gather ideas.
| Call Today To Get Started 256-482-2063 |
| Click here to see sample systems and pricing |
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| DC Powered Refrigeration is a critical part of a survival system. We are a SUNDanzer Dealer |
Sizing a Battery Back-Up System
Sample Systems