Solar Power System Components

Mounting Structures
There are many different ways to mount solar modules, each with its own pros and cons. Examples include ground mounts, side-of-pole mounts, top-of-pole mounts, and trackers. Standard mounting structures are manufactured from high-quality anodized aluminum, providing excellent strength, light weight and corrosion resistance.

Controllers
The main function of a controller or regulator is to fully charge a battery without permitting overcharge or reverse current flow at night. If a solar array is connected to lead-acid batteries with no overcharge protection, battery life will be compromised. Simple controllers contain a relay that opens the charging circuit, terminating the charge at a pre-set high voltage and, once a pre-set low voltage is reached, closes the circuit again, allowing charging to continue. More sophisticated controllers utilize pulse-width modulation (PWM) or maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) to assure the battery is being fully charged in the most efficient manner.

Batteries
Batteries are a key component in a grid-tie with backup or a stand alone renewable energy system -- one that all other components rely on. With simple monthly and quarterly maintenance procedures, your batteries should last a long time. We offer gel, AGM, nicad, and flooded lead-acid batteries.

Inverters
Today's inverters are very efficient and reliable.

Some PV systems are designed to run DC loads exclusively and so not need an inverter, however an inverter is necessary in any PV system in which you want to run AC applications and tools, or if you are intending to interface your PV system with the Utility.

Most grid-tie inverters are simple machines that are dedicated to converting the DC current from a solar array into AC current and feeding it into the utility grid.

Where you begin to see a huge variety of inverter types is when you start to shop for grid-tie with battery back-up or stand-alone inverters. At this point inverters tend to be made to address specific markets and tasks. A good place to start your research on inverters would be the Inverter section of our catalog.

Power Panels
Power Panels are a factory-assembled power conditioning center. These include but are not limited to, inverters, controllers and safety disconnect equipment. The advantages of buying a Power Panel are many and include the following:

• Easy electrical inspections: Power Panels are ETL listed as a package.
• No hours wasted on the job site assembling separate components and running to the electrical supply for that one part that you forgot.
• No flexible conduit, your jobs have that professional look.
• Factory tested and quality assured.

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is an ETL listed assembly center. If you can imagine it, we can build it for you.