Solar System Details, Suppliers
and Manufacturers


BP Solar is where I started my research into purchasing a
solar system. Their site has online calculators to help estimate
the cost of different size systems, and also to estimate
the performance of these systems in your area by allowing
you to enter your ZIP code. The system I eventually purchased
is one of their "BP Solar Home Solutions."



The panels themselves are from BP Solar. The 2.5 kW
system included 20 BP SX 150B 150 watt panels. One thing
I really like about these panels is the look of the bronze-anodized frame.


The BP system included a Sunny Boy 2500U inverter made by SMA.
I'm certain that there are other good inverters out there, but I have been very
happy with the Sunny Boy. Its peak efficiency is rated at 94%; it's a "true
sine wave," and it quiet. I've heard some inverters can emit quite a "buzz," and
some even interfere with AM radio reception.




One really cool component that is part of a BP Solar Home Solution is
their exclusive wireless in-home monitor. The Sunny Boy inverter included
a small display which I replaced with the RS-232 module so I could do
data-logging on my PC, and of course post live data to this website, but the
system monitor pictured above has a high "gadget factor" and is an
excellent conversation piece for talking about the benefits of solar energy.


Home power Magazine is a great source of information on many
topics related to Renewable Energy (RE).