Inverters & Electrical Equipment

While the electricity supplied by the mains is an alternating current of high voltage, the solar electric system generates a direct current of low voltage. For any electrical equipment to be run on the mains supply from the solar system, an inverter is required to convert the direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) and step up the voltage to mains level. The market currently offers many types of inverters for this function with different qualities.

Electrical Equipment

The last piece of item on your solar system of electricity is the equipment to be powered. Low voltages of 12v or 24v are usually common on many solar electric systems. It is better to have more equipment running on DC supply than through an inverter, which decreases the system’s overall efficiency; alternatively, a pure grid tie system is used.

There are many 12v or 24v equipments that can be used with the solar electric system such as laptop computers, light bulbs, ovens, kettles, fridges, toasters, hairdryers, coffee machines, vacuum cleaners, radios, televisions and small washing machines; many of which facilitate the boating and caravanning communities. Today MP3 players, mobile phones and other portable items use 12 volts of electricity only.