is a power inverter necessary?
i want to install solar cell panels in my house and i need to store some energy for the night. im storing my energy in about 5 car 12v batteries but i have another 10 or so more in my yard. my friend is telling me i dont need the power inverter. with one battery. he said i can hook up 10 12v car batteries together to store power and get 120 v and i can then hook up home appliances. if this is possible would my home appliances like my air conditioner, TV, computer, and lights work long or would they die pretty fast at night when my solar panels cant recharge them. i am looking for a 100% electricity free bill. any ideas as well.
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You need an inverter. home appliances work on AC. Batteries provide DC. you will fry your appliances and probably your batteries.
A power inverter will convert your 120 volt direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) that is used by most household appliances. If you lived off the grid you might exchange all your appliances for ones that run on DC current.
But you might also find that your power requirements will be more substantial than you expect. Some will try to move some of their energy needs away from electricity when cheaper alternatives are possible. Thermal solar is usually cheaper than solar photovoltaic. Thermal solar is often used to heat hot water and houses, but it can be used for air conditioning and electrical generation as well. Storing solar thermal power often involves some kind of thermal mass like water or masonry or a phase change materials.
“Discovering energy” by being conservative is initially much more cost effective than in developing new sources of power.
If your appliances are AC (as well as any HVAC equipment you might have) then you need an inverter.
If you want to go grid free, the first step is minimizing your electric dependence.
Try supplementing your hot water heating with a solar hot water system separate from your electrical system.
You need an inverter to change the DC power you generate and store into AC power for most household items.
However, you can also buy appliances made specifically for boats and campers that run off of DC – a bit less luxurious, but liveable.
The main problem with being 100% “off the grid” as it’s called is that your daily electricity use can vary greatly, so you need to be able to store & generate during those demand times.
The solution is actually not to get off the grid,but to be more than on the grid and BE the grid. Be the “bad guy” buy generating your own energy to sell back to the utilities – there are incentive programs that give you money to do so. Then any power you give back above what you use will be converted into a credit on your electric bill at going rates. That’s better than FREE – the utilities pay YOU!
Just remember that you need to then get off of natural gas service (consolidate your energy sources) and move completely on the grid.
Good luck!
You would need an inverter. That said to power the kind of things you have listed 5 car battery’s are going to hold enough power to supply your needs for 10 min. max.