PV Gap

Eileen Said:

I need some insight on solar heating for a house?

We Answered:

Sounds like it may have two solar systems. One for electricity and one for solar hot water heat. The electric system sounds like it may have the capability for stand-alone (no grid hooked up) because it has battery storage and it sounds like a diesel or gas back-up generator.

If it has solar hot water storage, it must also have solar hot water collectors with water lines and probably a small pump somewhere.

First the stand alone solar electric system. It must have an array of photo voltaic panels for collecting, a charge controller that controls the current to the batteries, a main controller/rectifier that changes DC to AC and controls current flow from/to generator / battery bank / loads, and a generator backup for cloudy weather days and dead battery reasons.If the system has the capability of grid connected usage, it also requires a power controller installed and approved by your power company.

If it has a hot water heating system with storage tank, it may only have electric heating coils in the tank, or could have boiler as well. It may or may not have another furnace for back up.

Be very careful. Get someone that really knows solar systems. Solar systems are great, but a stand alone system that will supply an average size home is very large (probably around 12 panels or more, and a very large battery bank of 12-24 Golf Cart size batteries). Even this system will not supply heat or air conditioning. Forget running water pumps, frost free refrigerators, and large lighting systems. People that have these systems are normally very frugal with power usage because if you have to run a generator, it is very expensive power.