Top 10 Signs of Battery Degradation

Making sure that your solar energy system is working at peak efficiency is always important. A common reasons that our customer’s systems start to become inefficient is battery storage degradation. Spotting battery degradation early can save you days, weeks, and months of low system performance and can also prevent severe damage to your system and property.

Spotting battery degradation can be difficult for even the trained eye, so our solar application engineers are always available to consult – you can email us a picture of your batteries any time and we can assess along with you.

Top 10 Signs of Solar Panel Degradation

Making sure that your solar energy system is working at peak efficiency is always important. One of the most common reasons that our customer’s systems start to become inefficient is due to solar panel degradation.

Spotting panel degradation can be difficult, but catching it early can save you days, weeks, and months of low system performance and can also prevent damage to your system. Our solar application engineers are always available to consult – you can email us a picture of your panels any time and we can assess along with you.

Yes, we design solar power systems. For free. It's what we do.

RESIDENTIAL. COMMERCIAL. INDUSTRIAL.

We work with everyone. From beginner DIYers to professional installers. Our team of Solar Application Engineers works as a team when necessary to solve the most complex design issues you can think of.

Remote Monitoring.

Yes! We can help you manage and optimize your solar system through remote monitoring, at no cost to you.

What do I need to know about batteries for solar applications?

Understanding how different batteries work, the maintenance involved, and understanding basic formulas all help you make the best decision for your specific needs. Our team of application engineers is here to make it easy, but we know some people really want to have a good understanding of their options before they decide to make this kind of investment.

What Are They?

Solar Powered EV Charging Systems are a combination of solar modules (panels), an inverter, an EV charging station, and optionally battery storage and a connection to The Grid.

These systems allow the user to collect solar energy and convert it into power that is used to charge an electric vehicle. Depending on the design and components, these systems may also be set up with battery storage or be used to draw from or “sell back” power to the Grid.

Looking for battery-back up for a new or existing grid-tied system? Look no further!

If you are looking for a battery back-up solution for your new or existing grid-tied solar power system, the new LG Home 8 is an excellent choice.

Do you need help with your permitting?

NAZ can help! We offer permit drafting and engineering review services for your solar power system to make the permitting process easier.

What is a solar charge controller?

Solar charge controllers are used to regulate the charging of a battery bank. Solar panels produce voltage and current that are variable in nature — meaning they’re a function of the amount and uniformity of solar irradiance (watts per meter squared from sunlight) that a solar panel receives. However, this is not what a battery can use to charge. Battery charging must be done in a highly regulated and specific manner. The amount of voltage and current a battery receives must not vary outside of a small range (too low and no charging will occur; too high and over charging, and possible damage to the battery bank, will occur). The device that regulates the output of a solar panel in order to use the variable power it produces to charge a battery is known as a charge controller. There are two kinds of charge controllers—PWM (pulse-width modulation) and MPPT (maximum power point tracking) charge controllers. Both have a distinct charge regulation method and a similar battery charging algorithm.

What are the basics to wiring?

Electrical wiring is the conductor that connects components in your system. In most cases, solar system wiring should be copper with properly rated insulation for the location the wire will be occupying.

What are the different types of solar panels?

Almost all solar panels use silicon semiconductor material that makes up the solar cells. There are two primary types of solar panels: polycrystalline and monocrystalline.

What’s the appeal of RV or boat living?

As the cost of living increases, so does the struggle to find affrdable housing. At the same time, many occupations have transitioned to a digital or remote format, or employers have realized the possibility of offing that flexibility to their workers. These factors have increased the usage of RVs, campers, buses, boats, vans and other vehicles as second or in some cases even primary homes. Rather than being saddled with a mortgage or rent with no equity, many people are packing up their lives and hitting the road or water. Of course, that life isn’t for everyone—some prefer to keep their RVs or boats as a parttime or seasonal activity rather than a residence. But whatever the application, electric power comes into play.

What are off-grid/DC-powered refrigerators and freezers?

Solar refrigerators and freezers are highly effcient units with exceptionally low energy consumption. These appliances require a small photovoltaic (PV) system. DC refrigerators are powered directly from a battery bank which can be charged via solar and a genset/gas generator. The brushless DC motor compressor operates on 12 or 24V DC.

Intro to Water Pumps.

Water pumps are used to transfer water from one point to another by converting mechanical energy into pressure (head). Electrical energy typically drives the mechanical pump, whether from the grid, solar direct, batteries or an inverter. There are various things to keep in mind when selecting a pump and designing a system. Here we’ll discuss the multiple types of pumps, the application requirements which will define suitable pumps, and the overall concepts for powering the pump in a sustainable manner.

What does it mean to be grid tied?

The term “off grid” means just that—power and energy are generated from sources other than an electrical utility or power company. Off-grid solar systems incorporate components required for a standalone electrical power system. This includes energy generation from photovoltaic solar panels, energy storage usually in battery form and power generation utilizing an inverter/charger. Off-grid systems can also incorporate secondary energy generation from a fuel-powered generator and sometimes hydro-electric and wind power generation and more rarely fuel cell electric generators.

What does it mean to be grid tied?

A grid-tied solar system is connected to the utility grid. This is the most common system type for those who already have commercial electricity at their home. Grid-tied systems offer a simple and cost-effctive way to offset electric bills with solar energy. At their core, simple grid-tied systems consist of two main components: solar panels and an inverter. The solar panels collect light from the sun, and a chemical reaction inside the panel converts the light energy into DC electricity. This DC power is then sent to the inverter, which converts it to usable AC power before sending that power to the loads in your home. If the loads in the home are satisfied, and the solar panel array is producing excess power, a typical grid-tied system will send the extra power back to the grid. Most customers will get some kind of credit or reduction in their electric bill for selling excess solar production to their utility company. Any energy used by the home (such as at night, when it’s cloudy or if there are extra power needs) is purchased from the utility company like normal.

Battery Buying Guide

Selecting batteries for your solar power system can be overwhelming. With all the different types, sizes and varying price points, it's easy to get confused. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your needs and budget. If you want to take a deep dive into battery chemistry, please check out Battery chemistry, care, and terminology.

System configuration is imperative if it’s going to do exactly what you want it to do—whether that’s properly charging your batteries, getting your hybrid system prepped for load shaving or setting your battery monitor to accurate setpoints. Most inverter manufacturers have external devices capable of setting up whole-system management, as long as all major components—like the charge controller, battery monitor and inverter—are from that same manufacturer. However, a few other manufacturers over standalone items that are capable of setting up remote system monitoring all on their own—some even without a Wi-Fi signal present.

Backup power systems are a way to keep things operating during power outages. You may already be familiar with a UPS (uninterruptable power supply), which is a specific type of backup power system that keeps your computer running long enough during a blackout to save your work before shutting down. A backup power system can be attached to essential appliances like a refrigerator so your food doesn’t spoil. Or, they can be large enough to run a whole house or even a business.

We are excited for the release of several new products from SMA. 

If you aren’t familiar with SMA Solar Technology, they are a global specialist in photovoltaic system technology and have been creating solar solutions for over 40 years. 

We will keep you updated on the availability of these products!

Change is on the horizon for California Grid-Tie Solar customers. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved new Net Metering rules for grid-tie solar energy systems – NEM 3.0. Effective on April 13, 2023, the new Net Metering rules will stretch out the payback period for grid-tie solar power systems in the Golden State by reducing how much customers are paid for their solar generated power.

We have big news!

Northern Arizona Wind and Sun is now officially NAZ Solar-Electric.

Nothing has changed within the company. We haven’t been bought and our operations remain the same. After more than 40 years in the business, we thought a refresh was in order.

Many people are excited by the idea of producing electricity from the sun to power their home. However, they may be discouraged when they think of all the paperwork they will need to wade through to get permission from the utility company to install a system. You don't always need to ask your Utility Company for permission to install a solar power system on your home. One could take advantage of a grid-zero configuration.

Grid-tie solar systems are appearing in more and more neighborhoods as homeowners seek to reduce their rising electricity bills, charge electric vehicles, or just “green up” their energy footprint. However, many people are surprised to learn that the grid-tie solar panels on their roofs don’t supply power to the home when there is a utility blackout. This is due to the ani-islanding safety requirements of a grid tie solar power system.

When you purchase a complete Victron system from NAZ, we support you for the life of your system. One way we can help you ensure your system is configured correctly and working at maximum efficiency is by enabling remote monitoring and configuration over the internet.

At NAZ Solar Electric, one of the most frequent conversations our sales and engineering team has with customers is the “off-grid” discussion.

There are an endless number of options when it comes to configuring your solar power system, which is excellent! But it can make decisions a bit more challenging. In this video, James, our sales manager and application engineer, talks about why he installed the Sol-Ark 12K Inverter on his home as part of his grid-tied battery backup installation as a grid-interactive system.

At NAZ Solar Electric, equipping our customers with knowledge is integral to the partner process. This is part of what makes us different. We do not just sell products; we offer turnkey solutions and ongoing support to every customer.

Bob, an electronics aficionado from California, has enjoyed the world of electronics using ham radio and being involved in computer networking software and hardware. He worked in the hospitality management industry. Given his love for electronics and knowledge obtained over the years, he designed and installed his first home solar system that paid him back in just over three years thanks to the early credit incentives available in California at the time.

Living off grid presents several challenges even for those that make pre-calculations for every possible need when you’re in a remote area. Whether it’s determining a water source, developing emergency plans or deciding on a power source - most come with their own unique problem to solve and everyone’s situation is different.

Tom and wife, Debbie live on 25 acres of alfalfa farm in Northern Utah. Joining them are four dogs and twenty-three cats. Yes, you read that correctly. Both Tom and Debbie grew up on small family farms, she in Indiana and he in New Jersey. Tom joined the US Navy in 1971 where he spent six years as a computer repairman on the USS Long Beach CGN-9 which was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser which is now decommissioned and scrapped. Tom learned invaluable skills such as programming and electrical engineering while floating around the Indian Ocean...

Mike and his wife are in their late 20s and have lived in Flagstaff for nearly 10 years. Flagstaff is the largest northern-most city in Arizona. It’s not the typical Arizona landscape you immediately envision. Full of ponderosas and aspen trees, Flagstaff is an outdoor haven for adventure seekers or those trying to get away from the rat race. It’s a short drive up from the Phoenix metro area and is popular weekend destination for those that are weary of the summer heat. 

Larry is a retired US Navy aircraft mechanic. He and his wife currently own a boat transport company and have been mulling retirement in recent years. Settling down in a quiet place is the dream of many retirees. They had the same dream which prompted them to buy property in Northern California. Like many vacant properties, there are obstacles to overcome. Grid power can expensive if there isn’t a transformer nearby – in this case, it was 2000 feet from Larry’s property. 

There is a growing trend of Americans wanting to down-size and sell their homes for a different lifestyle. Huge mortgages and the burden of living in substantial debt has led people to reassess their situations. With a large portion of jobs now being done remotely due to COVID-19, people can now work from anywhere if they have an internet connection. Despite the overall economic impacts of the virus, the RV market is hot and showing no signs of slowing down.

Scott and Susan have been adventurers together since 1978 when they married at age 20. Much of their adventure came in the form of sailing. Living in the Pacific Northwest for many years gave them the opportunity to sail the Pacific Ocean as far as Maui and up to Alaska. After retiring from Microsoft and spending the bulk of their time on the west coast, they found themselves wanting to explore places east of Seattle which led them to moving their adventures from sea to land. Their first step was finding a vehicle that could get the job done.

Greg was born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Engineering and Science. He’s currently an Electrical Engineer and leads a small team of engineers while mentoring and coaching young go-getters. Recently, in his spare time, he’s spent many hours researching solar power. Being involved in the electrical field automatically gives him leveraged insight into solar electric technology.

We have a variety of people that reach out to us needing a solar power system. Their applications may vary drastically, but the common denominator of needing an independent power source remains the constant when it comes to deciding on solar power. This week’s customer story is no different, but the motivating reason for needing to be off-grid is much different. 

David, a business owner in the masonry industry likes to take a break from the daily grind. Getting out on the open road and piloting his RV is the best kind of therapy for the California resident. Traveling the USA in an RV is the best way to the see the country, especially if it’s energy independent.

Steven, a full-time RVer has lived on the road for 3 years now. He works as an IT consultant and has enjoyed the opportunity to work while he travels if there’s an internet connection. This trend has increased in popularity over the past few years due to the ability to work remotely. It’s as simple has having a combination of LTE and campground Wi-Fi.

Lloyd, a retired aerospace purchasing agent travels with his wife and dog in a 30 ft travel trailer. They travel part-time but usually stay on the road for months at the time. Lloyd is a DIY like many others doing his own mods and maintenance on the travel trailer. For them, traveling on the road has become a way of life that required learning how to adapt, especially when it comes to a reliable power source.

Nathan has lived in Colorado for 45 years for the simple reason of wanting snow and sun all in one day. Being a photographer, he couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful place to live. Choosing a lifestyle that thrived on renewable energy was important to Nathan because of his belief that it is a responsible way to live.

This week’s customer story features Mike, a retired software developer, that lives near Questa, New Mexico with his wife who is a retired accountant. Like many others in recent years, they have chosen the path of living in a completely off-grid home called the Q-House because of its proximity to Questa, New Mexico.

Comfortable off-grid living is achieved by many, thanks to solar electric technology. Joel and Amy who reside in Northern Arizona, not only live comfortably using solar power but they thrive by raising their own food, pumping their own water and sustaining a homestead that provides organic food to their very own customers. Without solar power, it would have been nearly impossible to realize their dreams of being self-sufficient.

This week’s customer story features Lyndon from Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Northern Saskatchewan is a sparsely populated area covering the northern half of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

Arizona is home to many attractive off-grid properties that are located in remote areas of the state. Some of the most beautiful places in Arizona are those properties that do not have access to grid power and are located down several miles of dirt roads. 

Robin from Creativity RV – you may have heard of her. If not, she has a large following on YouTube that chronicles her life living on the road. Following in the footsteps of many others before her, Robin grew weary of living the corporate life to pay for a huge mortgage while life passes by. She was in the corporate world for over 20 years before deciding to take the dive into nomad living.

Tom is a retired airline pilot and enjoys doing lots of hands on activities - more specifically, solar power. In 2011 Tom installed 80 ground-based solar panels on his home. When he isn’t at home, he tows a 12’ motorcycle trailer behind his 34’ motorhome.

For most DC-coupled off-grid systems it really comes down to four main components – solar panels, charger controller, inverter and the battery bank.

Our latest customer story shifts to Colorado. Tom, who spent 4 years in the US Air Force and worked in the airline industry for 32 years, moved to Colorado in 2005 along with his wife to build their own log home.

Understanding battery types and chemistries can be confusing for those new to solar energy. It’s important to understand the basics of how they are different so you can choose the right battery type for your solar power application.

Many customers ask about the differences in purchasing a pre-wired system - for example, one of Outback’s FPR panels vs purchasing the same components individually.

When investing in a solar system, it is normal to inquire about the longevity. There are several components to a solar power system, so it is important to consider everything when evaluating the life expectancy of the overall system.

Getting away from the complexity of the traditional American Dream and trying a different approach at life is the desire of many. Trends indicate that Americans are transitioning into smaller homes or taking their life on the road. A couple from Austin TX is living their new dream traveling the USA with no regrets. James and Kelly sold their home in Austin to live on the road in their 39’ fifth wheel. Both being able to work remotely gives them the perfect opportunity to travel the country with their three border collies. Their passion is exploring nature and trail running in new locations along their travels.

A common misconception about grid-tie solar systems is that during a power outage or grid failure, the solar system will continue to provide power to loads. Due to the nature of grid-tie solar systems and how they are designed, all power output to the grid must cease during an outage unless other backups are designed into the solar system, which basically changes the nature of the system entirely.

Lithium batteries cost more up front, but in the long run they are superior to lead acid batteries for several reasons. They are maintenance free, extremely efficient, safe, can be recharged very quickly.