Balance of System or BOS as it is commonly called are small yet critical components of a solar system. These ensure that every other component is well connected to each other and functioning efficiently. They typically include electrical accessories like circuit breakers, wires, charge controllers, safety equipment, switches, etc.
Primary Components
Balancing of System Price
The cost of BOS includes the cost of the hardware, software, any labor, fees, etc. In India, it typically costs near Rs. 10 per watt. Many people classify all other components of a solar system except solar panels in the Balance of System. As such BOS for a stand-alone system (including batteries) could account for half of the total system cost.
How to decide on the best quality installation kit?
Both on-grid and off-grid home renewable energy systems require BoS equipment. The best BOS kit should safely allow the transmission of electricity or flow of current in the system. It is important to make sure that all individual components function well so that the overall performance of the solar system is not impaired.
For instance, the function of the charge controller is to keep the battery fully charged but prevent over-charging. Another important BOS component is Safety equipment (surge protector, grounding equipment, etc.) that protects solar systems and people from potential damage during events like lightning, power surges, or malfunction. Make sure that the meters are not faulty as they monitor the system's performance, the amount of power you are consuming, etc. Also, ensure to use the wire and switches of good quality. Many times customers want to save a few bucks on these small components but forget their relevance. Please remember these are crucial elements in the overall functioning of the system.
What is a Solar Connector?
MC4 Solar connectors for solar panels are used for connecting solar panels in simple ways. What is an MC4 connector (male connector & female connector) and an MC4 extension cable (8ft, 15ft, 30ft, 50ft, 100ft)?
Wiring MC4 Equipped Modules in Series:
If you have two or more solar modules to wire in series, the MC4 connectors make it very simple.
Wiring MC4 Equipped Modules in Parallel:
Parallel wiring requires the positive leads to be connected together and the negative leads to be connected together. This method will increase the current at max power (Imp) while keeping the voltage constant.
What is a Solar Installation Kit?
Solar installation kit is available for 1 kW solar panels.
Components included
- Pre-galvanized structure with corrosion proof
- DC wire
- Cable Connectors
- Manpower hours
