Solar and Photovoltaic Power Supplies

Find the right solar and photovoltaic power supplies for your solar power system needs
By Jennifer Gordon Solar and photovoltaic power supplies are comprised of solar panels that collect solar energy, a deep cycle battery or bank of batteries to store the energy for measured use in both light and dark, a charge controller to allow a charge to the batteries and to prevent overcharging and a back-up generator or connection to the local electrical grid for emergency and back-up power.

The solar and photovoltaic power supply associated with a solar power system are the batteries, battery banks, the back-up generators that provide power storage and emergency power for when the solar energy is depleted. Determine your needs based on solid criteria:

1. Get a needs assessment from a reputable contractor in the photovoltaic and solar electric specialties.

2. Tap into local, state and federal solar power equipment incentives to cut costs.

3. Locate reputable distributors of photovoltaic power supplies.

Get a specialist to tell you what solar power supplies work for the system at your site

The benefits to using solar power are two-fold: help the environment with clean, "green" energy and save yourself money on electricity. Be clear about these goals with the contractor you choose to perform an assessment so he recommends only power supplies that contribute to both of these goals in the most cost-effective way.
Try:  Intota is an expert consulting organization whose solar supply experts have scientific, engineering and technical expertise. Green Collar is a database of sustainability professionals and consultants in every solar electric specialty dedicated to green energy. Consultants are listed by geographic location.

Research available photovoltaic power government incentives and subsidies

Local, state and federal government often offer incentives and subsidies for installing and using solar power supplies. Sometimes the benefits are for the solar supplies and solar power equipment itself. Research what price and tax breaks are available to make the cost of installing solar power equipment at your business more affordable.
Try:  The Solar Energy Industries Association provides information about federal tax credits for installation and use of solar energy. The Tax Incentives Assistance Project is an information resource geared toward helping businesses take advantage of the tax incentives provided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Locate reputable distributors of photovoltaic power supplies

Once you have your business outfitted with a solar energy system, it's time to order the solar power supply and integrate it into the system. Look for reputable distributors who know their business, know their product, and offer warranties and service after the sale.
Try:  The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) maintains a member database of professionals in the solar electric specialties dealing in both electricity and heat storage. Plug in a city and state, select "Distributor/Dealer" and select "Category" to find ASES member distributors of solar supplies in an area who supply batteries and electrical energy storage, electrical power inverters, battery chargers, charge controllers and back-up generators. Find Solar, a collaborative effort of the American Solar Energy Society, Energy Matters and the federal Department of Energy, provides a database of pre-screened distributors and other photovoltaic suppliers in the solar electric specialties.

• Deep cycle batteries for solar and photovoltaic power supplies need enough amp-per-hour capacity to supply power during the longest possible "no sun" period. Lead-acid batteries need to have 20% more amps even than this. Battery bank size is calculated based on storage capacity required, max discharge rate, max charge rate and minimum temperature for battery usage. If the system includes a back-up generator, or is connected to a grid, these requirements are relaxed.