So you want to try solar energy?

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Seems everyone is looking to go solar, but there are some terms you need to learn to help you along if you're thinking about solar systems (also known as solar kits).

There are different types of solar systems. Grid-tied solar systems mean you still use the Jamaica Public Service Company, but you can generate electricity for your home. You can then route the excess power into the electric utility grid for compensation from the utility company, that is, they pay you for the energy you don't use. If there's not enough sunlight, you simply use the regular public electricity supply.

Off-grid systems have no connection to the national grid. They usually incorporate either a battery (to store energy you produced during the day), a backup source of energy (like a generator), or both.

Items You Will Need

Panels - These are the flat, rectangular objects that resemble windows you see on roofs. They capture the sunlight's energy (regardless of which system you use).

Inverters - Solar inverters convert the electricity from your solar panels (DC, or direct current) into power that can be used by the plugs in your house (AC, or alternating current). Again, this is regardless of which system you use.

For off-grid systems you will also need:

Charge controller - The brighter the sunlight, the more voltage the solar cells produce, so the excessive voltage could damage the batteries. A charge controller maintains the proper charging voltage on the batteries. As the input voltage from the solar array rises, the charge controller regulates the charge to the batteries, preventing any overcharging.

Batteries - Not your penlight, or triple A like you pick up at the pharmacy. These batteries store the energy collected to keep giving you power throughout the night or during periods where there's not much sunlight (like during days of rain or overcast skies).

Terms You Are Likely To Hear

Kilowatts - A unit of electrical power.

Kilowatt-hour - Most commonly known as a billing unit for energy delivered to consumers by electric utilities.

Ampere - A unit of measurement for an electrical current.

Amp Hour or Ampere-Hour - A unit of measurement of a battery's electrical storage capacity. You calculate it by multiplying the amount of current by the hours.

Solar Water Heater

These come in a wide variety of designs, all including a collector and storage tank, and all using the sun's thermal energy to heat water.

Solar water heaters store heated water you haven't used yet.

Just like with solar systems, you can revert to the public power supply if the energy you saved is exhausted.