What is an Inverter?
Read our information on Inverters HERE.

What is connected to an Inverter?
Most 240 Volt AC household appliances can run from an Inverter, high wattage appliances such as Heat Pumps (Air Conditioners), Stoves and Ovens usually consume too much power for an Inverter to handle. A backup generator can be used if necessary to power these appliances when required.

Are my 12 Volt appliances connected to my Inverter?
No 12 Volt appliances are connected via your regulator which uses 12 Volt DC battery power. Only 240 Volt appliances are run from your inverter.

Do I need an Inverter to run normal household appliances?
Simply, Yes. Normal household appliances are rated at 240 Volt in Australia, therefore with a battery voltage of either 12 or 24 Volt an Inverter is needed to invert power from low voltage to high voltage.

What is Modified Sine Wave and Pure Sine Wave all about?
There are two types of outputs when referring to Inverters. Modified Sine Wave (MSW) is the cheapest of the two, the output is not as clean as that or a Pure Sine Wave (PSW) inverter. MSW Inverters are made to mimick the output of a PSW, however they fall short, that’s why MSW Inverter are typically cheaper than the same in PSW. MSW Inverter can run most appliances without trouble, however if you are interested in power fans, washing machines, stereos, digital clocks, timers or even Televisions you may run into trouble. You may find that your TV will run ok apart from interference caused by the waveform, interference may also be noticed on CB Radios which are run from MSW Inverters. MSW Inverters generate more heat than the PSW range.

How much power does my Inverter use? Will it run my batteries flat?
An inverter is sized to suit the appliances you wish to run from it. Most inverters have a low battery disconnect feature, where the Inverter will shutdown if you batteries drop below a set voltage. Most Inverters use very minimal power idle.

What is an Solar Regulator?
Read our information on Regulators HERE.

Do I need a Regulator?
In most cases the answer to this is Yes. Because a regulator stops the battery from being overcharged. Many regulators these days are more intelligent. Advanced regulators are able to perform many more tasks than just regulating power from the solar array.

Where does a Regulator fit into my system?
The regulator sits between your solar modules and battery bank.

What size Regulator will I need?
To determine the size required add up the amp ratings on each solar module, then add a bit to be sure. If you are looking at upgrading your system in the future consider buying a larger regulator to save you buying a higher capacity one later down the track.

What is the difference between AGM, Sealed and Lead Acid Batteries?
Read our information on Batteries HERE.

Can I use a Normal Car Battery for my Solar system?
You can however this is not recommended as starting batteries are designed for high amperage quick recharge and quick discharge, whereas deep cycle batteries are the opposite requiring lower amperage slow recharge rates. If you decide to use a starting battery for this application its life will be significantly reduced and therefore we do not recommend it.

I have been told that I should let my deep cycle totally discharge (ie go flat) as they have a memory, is this correct?
No, Deep cycle batteries should NEVER be discharged totally. Deep cycle batteries should not be discharged lower than 25% of their capacity, however we recommend no lower than 50% to gain maximum battery life.

What is a Solar Module?
Read our information on Solar Modules HERE.

Do Solar Modules store power?
No, Solar Modules do not store power, rather convert light into electric currents which must be used immediately or store in deep cycle batteries.

What does PV Stand for?
PV stands for Photovoltaic, this is the cell that makes up a solar module.

What is a PV Array?
A PV Array is an interconnected system of modules to provide power for a system. An Array is a number of modules connected on common support structure.

Do Solar Modules work in the shade or in cloudy conditions?
Solar Modules will produce electricity on cloudy or overcast days, however their efficiency is greatly reduced. On a slightly overcast day you would expect your solar module to produce about half the maximum rated output, but on a dark and gloomy day your efficiency can be as low as 5-15% of the rated output. Keep in mind for a solar module to provide it’s maximum output a bright and sunny day is required. Solar modules do not require heat to produce electricity but light.

What a common problems with Solar Modules?
Solar Modules are relatively problem free, this is why most manufacturers offer at least a 20-Year output warranty, some up to 25 years. However most module problems are due to water damage or electrical connections. To minimize these problems ensure your module is not mounted flat, a correctly tilted panel will allow water runoff and also be better positioned to utilize as much light as possible to produce electricity. Also when mounting your module, ensure you allow an air gap under the panel, do not mount the panel flat on a roof.

What is a blocking Diode?
This little electronic goody is designed to stop the solar module discharging the batteries in the absence of sunlight. A majority of solar modules are fitted with these in the factory.