By zhanqun1 
Recently, I have been asked by people: “Old Zhang, I also wish to install a home solar power station, but the look of those technical terms gives me a headache.” Don’t worry. I will tell you step by step today how to install a home solar power station in the manner of repairing bicycles.
The first step: Mastering the principle is like mastering the chain drive of a bicycle
A solar power station only has four parts, actually: solar panels that generate electricity (the pedals), batteries that store electricity (the car baskets), controllers that manage current (the brakes), and inverters that convert voltage (the transmissions). During the day, the solar panels generate electricity and charge the battery. At night, an inverter converts the direct current from the battery to alternating current for consumption in the house.
Step Two: Purchasing parts is like going shopping and putting together a bicycle
Panels are made of monocrystalline silicon, around 300 100-watt panels. They generate electricity even on a cloudy day. For three people, buy two as a start. There is hardly enough space on the balcony.
The storage gel battery has a longer life than regular batteries. The 12V100Ah one costs around 400 yuan and can store 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity, which can guarantee the use of the air conditioner for 3 hours at night.
The controller should be equipped with a USB interface. The 30A one available on Taobao is just 80 yuan and can also charge mobile phones.
Choose a pure sine wave inverter. A 500-watt one is around 200 yuan and can be powered by an induction cooker.
Step 3: Assembly is even simpler than putting together a bookshelf
Prop the solar panels at an angle against the balcony railing facing south and secure them with cable ties. It is optimal to place them at an Angle 15 degrees less than the midday sun. The stand that I rigged up from the clothes drying rack last time cost me nothing.
Red to red and black to black. Wire the two boards in parallel to the controller, the same as wiring two flashlight batteries.
While wiring the battery to the controller, don’t forget to switch off first. Last time, my neighbor Lao Li didn’t do that, and the controller was burning and smoking.
Finally, insert the inverter into the battery. Just plug the mobile phone charger straight into the inverter and it is good to use.
Precautions are more important than turning off the heat when cooking
It rained last month. My junction box was not properly sealed and short-circuited. Now it is all wrapped up tight with waterproof glue. Do not put a battery in the bedroom, just like you would not put a gas cylinder beside the bed. Wiping the solar panels with a wet old toothbrush once a month will increase the power output by 15%. Do not be overambitious in the beginning. First, build a small system to check it out. Once you get the feel of it, then gradually install it.
I installed this system last weekend to run a fan and saved 8 kilowatt-hours of electricity in three days. I’m now saving money to install a second set of batteries and prepare to connect the refrigerator as well. By doing it myself, I spent less than 1,200 yuan in total, which is half the price of buying finished products. In fact, playing with solar energy is the same as growing vegetables. Watching the electricity meter spin backwards every day gives a much greater sense of achievement than playing games to level up!