Solar Panels...?

[dead_sled]

Well, that settles it. Worst avatar ever. Pfizer is working on a new line of products for flashing avatar induced neurological disorder. Until those have been aproved by the FDA, I will use a less obnoxious avatar.

[JCO]

Yah....well I'm sure this one is politically correct....he's still in office

[Billy Boy]

Sounds like a very nice system you have there Oliver.

Also a nice system you have Apollo.

As Oliver correctly notes, what you have there is an "Inverter". An inverter is a device that turns DC electricity into mains AC. In the US that is 60hz. In most other places that is 50hz. The to world of power electronics the word "Converter" is actually an umbrella term that encompasses a ton of different devices. For the most part these are all based on some combination of the fundamental buck and boost converters... usually in some variant of the H-bridge layout.

Usually if you are charging batteries, the device that you use is called a "charge controller". The charge controller is definitely a converter, but a converter is not necessarily a charge controller./

Basically, if you are looking to run off-grid you will need to integrate batteries some how. The most economical options on the market today are Tubular Gel Lead Acid and Absorbed Glass Mat. These are not the same as car batteries which are designed to provide deep draw for short durations. Rather these are called "Deep Cycle" batteries.

Oliver is right. In order to incorporate batteries, you will need to make some upgrades to your electronics. The Outback Grid/Hybrid line seems to keep people pretty happy.

http://www.outbackpower.com/outback-pro ... s-chargers

Another good system that I am familiar with is the SMA-Sunny Island.

http://www.sma-america.com/en_US/produc ... 48-us.html

I don't think that SunPower sells a inverter/charger. I could be wrong.

Best,

Bill