Proactive solar dealers are now adding a power conditioning and protection component to the solar panels, racking, and inverter systems they are supplying to customers.   

 

By providing a more complete electrical solution which handles household dirty power such as surges, spikes, interference, and harmonic distortion to increase overall electrical efficiency in the home, solar dealers are distinguishing themselves from the competition and adding an additional profit center.

 

Since the U.S. grid uses alternating current (AC) power, the direct current (DC) created by a solar inverter is converted into AC power. This makes it compatible with the grid and usable for home electronics and appliances such as TVs, computers, and vacuums.

 

Yet residential solar inverters must accommodate a wide range of loads, everything from a single low-wattage bulb to a power tool with a big start up surge. While the battery voltage of a solar system can vary by up to 35%, depending on charge and activity, it must narrowly regulate its output.

 

In the solar inverter DC to AC conversion process, some power is lost as heat, with high heat being a sign of low-efficiency conversion. The process often creates nano-surges and spikes, causing damage to sensitive electronics, as well as higher than desired electro-magnetic fields (EMFs) and levels of harmonic distortion (THD). Electricity with high levels of EMF and THD is not clean electricity. 

 

Since AC power travels in a wave, disrupting the wave can rob it of its power and introduce interference. Appliances and equipment in the home such as vacuums, hair dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers can also disrupt AC current, creating dirty electricity which degrades the ability of solar units or other equipment to function.  

 

Solar dealers are discovering line conditioning, power quality, and phase quality increasing devices reduce the amps needed to run residential electrical appliances. Installed at the breaker panel, these devices have been proven to reduce EMFs by up to 99% and THD up to 98%, depending on the system. Reducing EMFs and THD to this degree can significantly improve the DC to AC conversion rate and reduce the energy lost as heat.

 

Using harmonic-resistant power quality and phase quality correction modules which correct the electrical phase causes the waves to move in synergy with each other. This helps homeowners optimize usable power in home electrical lines up to 95%, and increases electrical panel capacity by lowering amperage and temperature. The result saves energy and further lowers homeowners’ utility bills.

 

Normally, electronics will dissipate excess power from the electric panel as heat, which can shorten their effective lifespan. A power conditioning device turns this wasted heat energy into real working power, which prolongs the life of electronics. Some devices also deliver whole-home surge protection, extending the life of electronics and appliances even further, decreasing maintenance and replacement costs.

 

In addition to providing cleaner power, these devices can also improve audio-visual performance in TVs, stereos, and other equipment. Homeowners who experience an improvement in the performance of their electronics are more likely to act as referrals to friends and family.

 

Solar dealers have even discovered power conditioning and energy saving devices to be an effective profit center with those not able, or eligible to install a solar system due to having the wrong type of roof, excessive tree shading, condo association rules, or a lack of sufficient credit.

 

A growing number of consumers are concerned about the potential loss of privacy caused by utility companies’ introduction of smart meters into homes. Smart meters, which are replacing traditional electric, gas, and water analog meters, transmit a host of data to utility companies. For those concerned about privacy in an age of home smart meters, some power conditioning equipment can block the majority of data retrieved over the hard-wired electrical system.

 

Smart meters also emit EMF radiation to communicate with utility companies along smart meter networks. Some power conditioning equipment can significantly reduce EMF exposure, which is a particular concern among pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

 

In addition to the wire-in power conditioning devices installed at the electrical panel by a licensed electrician, easy-to-use, plug-in models are available for any residential electrical outlet. Power conditioning devices offer quick ROI, can be included in a rooftop solar installation package as a free purchase incentive, or sold with an appropriate mark up.

 

B.D. Erickson II is an Engineer and President of Satic USA based in Montana, a company that develops clean energy products. 

 

Satic USA | www.saticusa.com