Renewable energy systems are a great way to help the environment and lower energy bills. But setting them up is not easy. It takes careful planning. You need to think about how much energy you use, what resources you have, and what you want to achieve.

Ready to take control of your energy and go green? This complete guide shows you how to build your renewable energy system. It's a journey that will help you power your home and help the planet. We'll cover everything you need to know to get started, including:

• The basics of renewable energy systems: How they work and the benefits they offer.
• Different types of inverters: Their pros and cons, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
• Managing power surges: Protect your system from unexpected energy spikes.
• Choosing the right components: We help you choose the right parts. This includes batteries and solar panels. By the end, you'll be better equipped to pick the correct parts for your system.

Power Generation, Storage, and Supply Components

First, find out how much power you use. This is an essential step before choosing parts for a renewable energy system. This means measuring how much electricity you use daily, a week, or a month and what kind of appliances you use. You can use a power meter or an online calculator to estimate your power consumption.

Your energy usage determines the components of your renewable energy system. You need three main components: power generation, storage, and supply.

• Power generation is the source of electricity for your system. It can be a grid, solar, generator, wind, hydro, or a combination of these sources. The choice of power generation depends on your location, budget, and preferences. Solar power might be a good choice if you live in a sunny area and want to be independent of the electricity grid. You might also want a backup generator if the electricity grid is unreliable.
• A storage system saves extra electricity from your power source for later use. It is usually a battery or a battery bank that can store direct current (DC) electricity. The size of your storage system is based on these three things:
• How much power do you use
• How much power you can make
• How independent do you want to be from the electricity grid? For example, if you use a lot of power but can't make much, you will need a large battery to store enough electricity. You will need a large battery if you want your home to be independent of the electricity grid for several days.

An inverter changes the electric current from  DC to AC. Which is what most appliances use. The inverter would convert the AC from the solar panel to DC so your battery can be charged. 

Types and Sizes of Inverters

Inverters are the heart of the system. They convert power from a battery (or another source) into usable power.

. They vary in capacity, quality and features.

There are three major types of inverters: sine wave, modified sine wave, and square wave. The list is arranged in order of quality and capability.

• Sine wave inverters produce AC electricity similar to the grid supply. They are the best inverters because they work well and can power anything safely. However, they are also the most expensive type of inverters.
• Modified sine wave inverters produce AC power close to, but not the same as, sine wave power. They are less efficient and less reliable than sine wave inverters. They can run most appliances but may cause some problems or reduce their lifespan. They cost less than sine wave inverters but more than square wave inverters.
• Square wave inverters produce AC electricity that is very different from sine wave. They are the least efficient and least reliable type of inverters. They can power some essential appliances but may harm or break other equipment. They are the cheapest type of inverters but not worth buying.

You can read up on their differences, but the only ones worth buying are the pure sine wave inverters. They produce the cleanest power, similar to the grid.

Inverters are sized according to their output capacity: 1,000W, 2,000W, 3,500W, 5,000W, 10,000W etc.

What these numbers mean is that they can produce/invert power up to that number capacity.

Determining the appropriate inverter size to suit your requirements is an easy process. You need to add up the wattages of the devices you intend to power. It's the same one you got from your audit. So, if your audit reveals you have a total load of 3,025W, you need an inverter to produce more than that number ideally.

But again, it's more complicated, as are most things in life. When you did your audit, there were two numbers from your appliances: watts and current (amps).

Appliances use power in two ways: their usual amount and an extra surge when they start. You may have seen some appliances, like freezers or irons, cause a brief power drop when they turn on. This is because they need more power (amps) to start than they do to run.

These appliances need a lot of power to start, which is called surge consumption. Some appliances only need this extra power for a few seconds, while others need it for longer. Appliances that heat or cool or have compressors or large coils are the main ones that do this

But what does this have to do with your inverter? It would help if you considered these appliances when choosing an inverter spec.

Remember that the total power usage you calculate doesn't show your average use. Even though you usually use 1,300 watts or less, a 2,000-watt inverter might not be enough. Your total power usage of 3,025 watts indicates that some appliances need more power to start up. You may be correct, but this needs to be advised by us or a professional. Remember to factor in the extra power devices needed with a surge when starting. Choose an inverter with enough capacity to handle these surges.

The rule of thumb is to get an inverter that almost doubles your load (and can take your total current amps). For example, your appliances use 3,025 watts and 150 amps. So, your inverter must handle at least 5,000 watts and more than 150 amps. This ensures your inverter can handle the extra power needed when appliances start.

Getting an inverter that can handle your appliances' maximum power is best. Otherwise, it won't always run at total capacity and will surely lead to damage to the inverter.

Some Tips and Warnings

Let's review some key tips for choosing and buying parts for your renewable energy system.

• Always request and see a spec sheet for any inverter you intend to buy. A spec sheet is a document that lists a product's technical details and features. A spec sheet helps you compare different products and make an informed decision. If there is no spec sheet, it isn't worth buying.
• Beware of overestimations. Spec sheets are not gospel. Inexpensive electrical or electronic appliances rarely perform at their maximum stated capacity. Appliances usually work at about 80%-90% of their maximum power. This is normal. This especially applies to inverters and solar panels. Only the absolute top tier can perform at any rate near those levels.
• Renewable energy systems are complicated. If you have any doubts about your design or how to install it, ask an expert for help. They can do the complex calculations and wiring for you. This will keep your system working well and keep you safe. It is better to be safe than sorry.