Solar seems like new technology but mankind has used solar energy since the 7th century BC. Then sunlight was used to light fires using a magnifying glass.
The first solar cell was made in 1873 when two scientists discovered that selenium, a photoconductive material, generated electricity when exposed to sunlight. Today solar panels are mostly made from materials like silicon as they have better conductivity.
Even though they have been around for decades, there is still some confusion as to how solar panels work. For instance, can you use a solar panel without an inverter or battery?
Fortunately, you can use a solar panel without an inverter or even a battery for that matter.
Solar panels can be used to directly power an electrical appliance without an inverter. It’s important to note, however, that solar panels supply direct current or DC. This means that only appliances that take direct current can be directly powered without an inverter. Most household appliances accept alternate current or AC as their input.
On a side note! If you’re in need of a reliable and high-performance portable solar panel, We strongly recommend the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel (Amazon Link).
With a high conversion efficiency and foldable design, this solar panel is easy to transport and set up, making it perfect for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and RV trips.
The US solar cell technology used in this panel ensures that you get the most efficient and reliable solar charging possible.
There is also a 60W option that is more affordable (Amazon Link)
But how do you use a solar panel without an inverter and what is the purpose of having an inverter anyway? If you have ever wanted to know when and why you would need an inverter or a battery then keep reading.
What Are Direct Current and Alternate Current?
An electrical circuit can have either direct or alternate current flow through it.
- Direct current (DC)is a constant charge that flows in one direction. It flows from the high voltage or positive power source to the low voltage or negative power source. The electricity supplied by solar panels and batteries is direct current.
- An alternate current (AC) is a stream of charges that flows in two directions, back and forth. The current switches directions several times per second in what’s known as the frequency measured in Hertz. The electricity supplied to your home is an alternate current. Source
If solar panels produce direct current and the appliances in your home take alternate current how then do you use solar panels without an inverter? We’ll get to that question shortly but first, have you ever wondered what an inverter does in the first place?
Why Do I Need An Inverter For A Solar Panel?
An inverter converts the electricity supplied as direct current (DC) by a solar panel into the alternate current that household appliances use. Without an inverter, typical appliances like refrigerators, televisions, or computers cannot be powered.
Your inverter thus has the important function of turning the DC electricity your solar panels produce into the AC your appliances use. If you have a solar panel and AC appliances but no inverter then you will not be able to use your solar to power or charge your appliances.
There are three types of inverters used for solar panels. These are grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid. Which one should you use and why?
- Grid-tied inverters are for grid-tied solar systems. These are solar systems that are connected to the electricity grid. A grid-tied inverter is unique in that it switches off when your grid-supplied electricity switches off as in a power outage or blackout.
- Off-grid inverters are for off-grid solar systems. These are systems that are not connected to the electricity grid. An off-grid inverter does not switch off like a grid-tied inverter since it is not connected to the grid. It works continuously.
- Hybrid inverters as you might have guessed are a combination of grid-tied and off-grid. They are used in solar systems that are connected to the grid. The distinctive feature of a hybrid inverter is that they do not switch off in a power outage.
On a side note, we also highly recommend that you check out our post “Can You Short Out A Solar Panel? What Happens If You Do & How To Deal With It !“
Now you know exactly what an inverter does as part of a solar energy system. But what happens when you don’t use an inverter?
Can I Use Solar Panels Without An Inverter And Battery?
Solar panels can be used without an inverter and battery. This applies only to appliances that use direct current. As solar panels only generate direct current, this limits the use of solar panels without an inverter to direct current applications.
On the surface, this might seem like a disadvantage but it can be an advantage. The reason for this is simple and may even change the way you think about your electronics. Are you ready to have your mind blown? Then here is something to think about.
Even though our homes are supplied with alternate current, direct current is to some degree better. Why and how is it better? Direct current is more efficient since it is a constant charge. The back-and-forth charge of alternate current results in some energy loss and makes it less efficient. Source
If the alternate current is less efficient, why then do we use it when we could be using a direct current? It’s cheaper and more efficient to move electricity from its source to your home using an alternate current.
This could change in the future, however, and we may see the direct current used to transport electricity as more renewable energy sources like solar and wind power which produce direct current come online. Until then what do you do if you want to connect your solar panels at home to your appliances?
The good news is some of your appliances can use direct current. Refrigerators, televisions, laptops, coffee makers, and many other domestic appliances can be made to run on direct current. Thanks to the growth of renewable energy many manufacturers are making appliances that operate on direct current.
There is also the option of solar panels that have microinverters. These inverters are different from a central inverter in that they are small inverters fitted to an individual solar panel. The electricity is converted at the solar panel by the microinverter instead of being sent to a single central inverter.
Can Solar Panels Be Directly Connected To A Battery?
Solar panels can be connected to charge a battery directly. Solar panels produce direct current and batteries store energy as direct current. The energy stored in the battery can be used to directly power direct current appliances. An inverter is required to power alternate current devices.
Water pumps, lights, and other small low-voltage devices can be run directly without the use of an inverter. To run larger high-voltage devices you will have to add an inverter to convert the direct current from the battery into an alternate current.
Also, check out our post “What Size Solar Panel To Use For A Well Pump? All You Need to Know!