Solar in a Box
Building Green.com has reported a new idea for residential solar voltaic panels that combine the inverter with the solar panel in a single, pre-assembled engineered unit. This low profile unit should ease the installation costs and labor associated with standard solar power residential units considerably, as it eliminates the need for a central inverter. Each solar panel has its own inverter.
The inverter is needed to convert the low-voltage DC power produced by the solar panel to AC power that is then used by the homeowner, or sent out to the power grid.
Another major advance here, is the unique patented mounting frame that contains the system and brackets, which means no need to measure and cut racking, and the modules are pre-wired and NEC code compliant. As a result, they are ready to connect to the load center.
The company, Ready Solar calls the product Solar in a Box, and has teamed with the inverter manufacturer, KACO Solar and Sharp Electronics to produce this system.
One major benefit aside from the self-contained system, is that if one panel fails, the others can operate individually, and thus continue to produce power. In addition, if part of the system becomes shaded during a portion of the day, the remaining panels that are receiving sunlight will produce power. Another benefit is the self-monitoring of the panels functionality, which is web-based, and can send an alert to the homeowner of an operational failure or other issue.
The system monitoring is provided at no additional cost to the homeowner for a five year period, while the system has a 25 year warranty on the solar panels and a 15 year warranty on the individual inverters in the panels.
After a search through Ready Solar's Web Site, I was unable to determine the power output of the individual panels; thus this would need to be obtained prior to planning a project. If the wattage output is comparable to that of the standard Sharp panels, this really will be a terrific alternative for design and appearance.
Ready Solar claims much better aesthetics as a result of a lower profile; the patented framing sits within one inch of the roof, versus the standard three to six inch distance of traditional solar. As a result, the system blends into the roof like a skylight does, while still allowing for airflow that is needed for cooling. The design also means as much as 70 percent fewer roof penetrations.
The micro inverters used also provide for further safety, as low voltage DC power is converted to AC power at each panel, which means no high voltage on the roof and no DC disconnect is needed.
This new innovative product now provides an additional alternative to earning LEED credits for on-site renewable energy. As we all heard in President Obama's speech to the nation, solar power is expected to play a MAJOR role in our recovery package, as well as our future plans to reduce the use of imported oil and other fossil fuels.
The inverter is needed to convert the low-voltage DC power produced by the solar panel to AC power that is then used by the homeowner, or sent out to the power grid.
Another major advance here, is the unique patented mounting frame that contains the system and brackets, which means no need to measure and cut racking, and the modules are pre-wired and NEC code compliant. As a result, they are ready to connect to the load center.
The company, Ready Solar calls the product Solar in a Box, and has teamed with the inverter manufacturer, KACO Solar and Sharp Electronics to produce this system.
One major benefit aside from the self-contained system, is that if one panel fails, the others can operate individually, and thus continue to produce power. In addition, if part of the system becomes shaded during a portion of the day, the remaining panels that are receiving sunlight will produce power. Another benefit is the self-monitoring of the panels functionality, which is web-based, and can send an alert to the homeowner of an operational failure or other issue.
The system monitoring is provided at no additional cost to the homeowner for a five year period, while the system has a 25 year warranty on the solar panels and a 15 year warranty on the individual inverters in the panels.
After a search through Ready Solar's Web Site, I was unable to determine the power output of the individual panels; thus this would need to be obtained prior to planning a project. If the wattage output is comparable to that of the standard Sharp panels, this really will be a terrific alternative for design and appearance.
Ready Solar claims much better aesthetics as a result of a lower profile; the patented framing sits within one inch of the roof, versus the standard three to six inch distance of traditional solar. As a result, the system blends into the roof like a skylight does, while still allowing for airflow that is needed for cooling. The design also means as much as 70 percent fewer roof penetrations.
The micro inverters used also provide for further safety, as low voltage DC power is converted to AC power at each panel, which means no high voltage on the roof and no DC disconnect is needed.
This new innovative product now provides an additional alternative to earning LEED credits for on-site renewable energy. As we all heard in President Obama's speech to the nation, solar power is expected to play a MAJOR role in our recovery package, as well as our future plans to reduce the use of imported oil and other fossil fuels.
Posted by Alan L. Englander at 2/24/2009 11:00 PM 
Categories: Onsite Renewable Energy, Residential Solar Voltaic Panels
Categories: Onsite Renewable Energy, Residential Solar Voltaic Panels
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