Charging Sources

Flexibility and independence are among the most significant benefits of a battery-based electrical system. Batteries can be recharged in a number of different ways. Renewable energy sources can be harnessed to take the place of generators or utility companies. One of the world's best battery chargers is the sun. Solar electric charging systems are the essence of simplicity. Photovoltaic panels (PV modules) produce DC electricity whenever the sun is shining. Because electricity is being produced at a molecular level (photons in light cause a spare electron in the silicon atom to move and create an electrical charge), there are no moving parts to wear out in a solar electric generator. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide - from the South Seas to the High Arctic - rely on the sun to keep their batteries charged. With solar electricity your charging system can be expanded at any time simply by adding more PV modules.

The wind is another extremely viable source of electrical power for battery charging. A well-sited wind generator (windmill) can provide ample power for remote homes and other off-grid applications. Because wind is a more intermittent resource than sunlight, battery banks in wind powered systems are often larger in order to accommodate the intervals between windy periods. Wind power is often used in conjunction with PV modules. Having two sources of renewable electricity makes for a very reliable and flexible battery-charging system.