My apologies for omitting the fact that this simple setup is for a grid tied system. The grid (your utility) acts as your storage device. During sunny days, when your solar modules are producing electricity, whatever is not needed to power things during the day, the surplus is sent back into the grid, i.e. your meter runs backwards.Icu4dzs said:Whereas "Chance favors the prepared mind", it would be interesting to know what latitude one would put up only one solar panel with a microinverter and not put a storage device in place to hold energy when the sun is NOT shining. Up here that is quite a large portion of the day. Where do you suggest doing this?Liamm_1 said:A good solution for reducing usage is by using solar modules coupled with (Enphase) microinverters. You can start with just 1 module and microinverter. For instance, 1 240W module and a microinverter will probably generate over 1KWH per day using a grid tied system. (rough estimate)
Module = ~$400
Microinverter = ~$300
Plus mounting, breaker, wires, conduit, etc.
Add when you want, as many as you want (up to 15 I believe)
For an off the grid system, yes of course there would need to be a battery storage system. And you would also more than likely need a substantially larger system than one module. The great thing about the microinverter technology is that a person could start small, say 1 module, and over time build it up as needed, or as is affordable.
With traditional inverter technology that is not as feasible, since the (expensive) inverters need to be sized properly for the entire system.