My Solar Project: The Grid-Tie Inverter

I've started purchasing the components to the solar energy project I have been planning to install on the house. A SUN Model 250G grid tie inverter. This, with regard to the costly start up that often turns people away from patronizing renewable energy is but a pin prick to actual materials and installation costs solar providers charge here. But it's a pin prick straight to the heart of the endeavor. The goal after all is to reduce electricity costs and reliance to the grid (the power supply company), and use as much environment friendly means to achieve it. 

Grid tied inverters are different from the run-of the-mill power inverters we see everyday. While power inverters rely on stored DC current coming from battery banks that the solar panels or cars charge, grid tied inverters require no batteries to work, and they plug directly to the house grid with no fuss. The electronics generate the same pure sine wave current that the grid provides so there is no fear of trips or incompatibilities. The model I bought, I did so because it can work on our local 220 volt electrical system. Most models only have 110 volts, designed for the US market. 

No battery bank means the system I have planned is cheaper to set up, more environment-friendly, and safe enough for electricity dummies like me to work with. The system I have planned will not entirely replace the power coming in from the grid. But rather, will augment it and pump power into the house grid so consumption from the power company is reduced. If I generate more than I consume on a given day, it won't be surprising to see the meter run backwards at full sun and with minimum electrical loads. Say the kids are at school, and I'm alone at the house with one computer and a fan on. In the background is just the refrigerator, humming like always. Then I have an array that pumps in more power than I actually use... the meter runs backwards!

Now that will all come to fruition once I've bought all that the project needs. I've got one down now, and it won't be long till the next one has my name on it. It just depends on what's available cheap at the given time I have funds to spend.