Components of the Solar Electric System

Typically, a solar-electric system comprises the following parts interconnected by wires:

1. Solar panel (photovoltaic modules)

2. Charge controller (may be part of the inverter)

3. Inverter

4. Battery bank

Electricity is generated by the solar panel from sunlight. The batteries are used for storing energy from the photovoltaic modules. The electricity stored in the battery is available in the form of direct current (DC). There are some appliances that can run on DC, but most appliances are designed to run on alternating current (AC). The inverter changes DC from the batteries into AC for use by these appliances.