The main components
A solar system uses several components that must be selected to work together.
| Component | What it does |
|---|---|
| Solar panels | Convert sunlight into direct-current electricity. |
| Inverter | Converts and manages power for use by compatible household or business equipment. |
| Battery storage | Stores energy for later use in systems designed for storage. |
| Supporting equipment | Mounting, cabling, protection and switching equipment complete the installation. |
Start with your requirements
Before comparing products, gather a recent electricity bill and consider what you want the system to do. Reducing grid use and maintaining essential loads during an outage can lead to different designs.
- List the equipment you use and when it operates.
- Identify the appliances that need backup power.
- Note the roof or installation space available.
- Record the model numbers of existing solar equipment.
Understand backup power
Solar panels alone do not guarantee that a building will remain powered during an outage. Backup capability depends on the inverter, storage, switching arrangement and system design.
Battery runtime varies with usable capacity, connected loads and losses. Ask for a design that identifies the loads it can support and the assumptions used to estimate runtime.
Ask for a complete quote
A product price is only one part of the total system cost. Before you proceed, confirm:
- Exact brands, models and quantities
- Compatibility between all components
- Mounting, cables, protection and other supporting equipment
- Installation, delivery and applicable taxes
- Warranty terms and after-sales arrangements