The solar home system

2.3 A typical solar home system includes a 20- to 100-Wp photovoltaic array'; a rechargeable battery for energy storage; a battery charge controller; one or more lights (generally fluorescent); an outlet for a television, radio/cassette player, or other low-power-consuming appliance; switches; interconnecting wires; and mounting hardware (see Figure 2-1). Both the array size and the sunlight availability will determine the amount of electricity available for daily use. In a country such as Indonesia, a 50-Wp system can provide enough energy to operate four small (6- to 10-W) fluorescent lights and a small 1 5-inch black-and-white television for up to five hours. In areas with longer hours of sunlight, a similar level of service can be obtained from a smaller system. Solar home systems can also help households generate income from business activities.

Figure 2-1. Typical System Components