Do it Yourself Battery Backup

Tips for the Do It Yourself Installer When planning your back-up power system a sub-panel must be connected through the inverter in the battery back-up system. You will have an alternating current line coming from your main service panel which is connected to the "AC in" on the back-up system. The "AC out" is then sent to the sub-panel only. If you have a power outage the power must be supplied only to the backed up sub-panel, not to the main panel. You will have to relocate specific circuits that you wish to have powered when the grid is down to the new sub-panel. You will need to decide what appliances need to be powered during such and event and have them tied to your sub-panel. You should consult a licensed electrician for this procedure.

Battery Backup Power

Battery Backup Power can be added alongside an existing grid intertied solar power system. When the grid goes down, a grid-tied solar system goes down too, unless you have added a bank of batteries and planned for an additional source of electricity generation. The extra source of electricity may be a gas generator or additional solar panels. In grid-connected systems, the only additional equipment is a power-conditioning unit (inverter) that makes a turbine output electrically compatible with the utility grid. No batteries are needed. For safety, batteries should be isolated from living areas and electronics because they contain corrosive and explosive substances. Lead-acid batteries also require protection from temperature extremes.

AC/DC

In very small systems, direct current (DC) appliances operate directly off the batteries. If you want to use standard appliances that require conventional household alternating current (AC), however, you must install an inverter to convert DC electricity to AC. Although the inverter slightly lowers the overall efficiency of the system, it allows the home to be wired for AC, a definite plus with lenders, electrical code officials, and future homebuyers.

Power Storage

Battery Storage Systems A good Alternative energy system would use batteries to store excess power generated for use when the Solar or Wind systems are dormant. There are certain types of batteries that should be used for a home energy storage system. Shallow cycle batteries such as those used in automobiles should not be used because of their inability to withstand deep cycling operations. They also need a charge controller to keep the batteries from overcharging. Deep-cycle batteries, such as those used to power golf carts, can discharge and recharge 80% of their capacity hundreds of times, which makes them a good option for remote renewable energy systems.

Power Backup

Backup Systems There will be times when neither the wind generator nor the Solar panels can produce electricity such as at night or when the wind is not blowing. A good alternative energy system would be able to provide power from a backup generator that can be used to give electricity directly or through a battery storage bank. When the batteries run low an automatic switching system will start the engine-generator and can be run at full power until the batteries are charged. Battery banks are typically sized for one to three days of operation to supply electrical needs during noncharging periods.

Hybrid Systems

Hybrid Systems A stand-alone "hybrid" system that combines wind with Solar energy technologies and a backup generator offers great advantages for the homeowner. In most areas of the United States the wind speeds are low in the summer when the sun shines brightest and longest. During the winter strong winds blow out of the North and West typically when there is less sunlight available. The peak operating times for wind and Solar occur at different times of the day and year so hybrid systems are more likely to produce power when you need it.

Wind Turbine Tower

Turbines are mounted on towers because wind speeds increase with height in flat terrain. Generally speaking, the higher the tower, the more power the wind system can produce. Air turbulence can exist closer to the ground and the tower raises the turbine above it. It is a good idea to install a wind turbine on a tower with the bottom of the rotor blades at least 30 feet above any obstacle that is within 300 feet of the tower. By investing relatively small sums on in increase in tower height you can yield very high rates of return in power production. For instance, you can raise a 10-kW generator from a 60-foot tower height to a 100-foot tower with a 10% increase in overall system cost, but it can produce 25% more power. There are two basic types of towers: self-supporting or free standing and tethered. Most home wind power systems use a tethered tower which are the least expensive option. They consist of a simple, inexpensive framework of metal strips supported by cables and earth anchors. However, because the cable radius must be one-half to three-quarters of the tower height, cabled towers require enough space to accommodate them. Cabled towers can be hinged at the base so that they can be lowered to the ground for maintenance and repairs, or during hazardous weather such as heavy storms. Self-supporting or lattice-work towers are a sturdy alternative though the initial cost will be greater. Towers built with aluminum don't hold up to heat and cold conditions as well and should be avoided.