At NAZ Solar Electric, we take great pride in providing top-notch solar solutions to businesses of all sizes. Our team of highly skilled professionals is dedicated to thoroughly assessing the power and energy needs of our clients so that we can provide customized solar solutions that are specifically tailored to their needs.
Pytes USA batteries have been making waves and our engineers and our customers have been impressed by the performance of the Pytes batteries.
Pytes has now introduced the Pytes V5 and they are flying off our shelves during pre-order! Want to learn more? Watch this video from James Hall, BSE our engineering and sales manager on how this integrates with Sol-Ark and other top-brand inverters.
Top 10 Signs of Battery Degradation
Making sure that your solar energy system is working at peak efficiency is always important. A common reasons that our customer’s systems start to become inefficient is battery storage degradation. Spotting battery degradation early can save you days, weeks, and months of low system performance and can also prevent severe damage to your system and property.
Spotting battery degradation can be difficult for even the trained eye, so our solar application engineers are always available to consult – you can email us a picture of your batteries any time and we can assess along with you.
Top 10 Signs of Solar Panel Degradation
Making sure that your solar energy system is working at peak efficiency is always important. One of the most common reasons that our customer’s systems start to become inefficient is due to solar panel degradation.
Spotting panel degradation can be difficult, but catching it early can save you days, weeks, and months of low system performance and can also prevent damage to your system. Our solar application engineers are always available to consult – you can email us a picture of your panels any time and we can assess along with you.
Sol-Ark is a US-based, veteran-owned company that specializes in solar and energy storage technology. Founded in 2013 by two former military engineers, Sol-Ark aims to provide reliable and secure power solutions for homes and businesses without relying on fuel-based generators.
Yes, we design solar power systems. For free. It's what we do.
RESIDENTIAL. COMMERCIAL. INDUSTRIAL.
We work with everyone. From beginner DIYers to professional installers. Our team of Solar Application Engineers works as a team when necessary to solve the most complex design issues you can think of.
Remote Monitoring.
Yes! We can help you manage and optimize your solar system through remote monitoring, at no cost to you.
What do I need to know about batteries for solar applications?
Understanding how different batteries work, the maintenance involved, and understanding basic formulas all help you make the best decision for your specific needs. Our team of application engineers is here to make it easy, but we know some people really want to have a good understanding of their options before they decide to make this kind of investment.
What Are They?
Solar Powered EV Charging Systems are a combination of solar modules (panels), an inverter, an EV charging station, and optionally battery storage and a connection to The Grid.
These systems allow the user to collect solar energy and convert it into power that is used to charge an electric vehicle. Depending on the design and components, these systems may also be set up with battery storage or be used to draw from or “sell back” power to the Grid.
Are you looking for a reliable and affordable solution for your off-grid solar power needs?
We want to tell you about Victron Energy, a trusted partner for off-grid solar power solutions. Since 1975, they have been providing high-quality power conversion equipment for multiple applications and challenges.
Our product offerings include inverters, chargers, batteries, and charge controllers...
Looking for battery-back up for a new or existing grid-tied system? Look no further!
If you are looking for a battery back-up solution for your new or existing grid-tied solar power system, the new LG Home 8 is an excellent choice.
Do you need help with your permitting?
NAZ can help! We offer permit drafting and engineering review services for your solar power system to make the permitting process easier.
What is a solar charge controller?
Solar charge controllers are used to regulate the charging of a battery bank. Solar panels produce voltage and current that are variable in nature — meaning they’re a function of the amount and uniformity of solar irradiance (watts per meter squared from sunlight) that a solar panel receives. However, this is not what a battery can use to charge. Battery charging must be done in a highly regulated and specific manner. The amount of voltage and current a battery receives must not vary outside of a small range (too low and no charging will occur; too high and over charging, and possible damage to the battery bank, will occur). The device that regulates the output of a solar panel in order to use the variable power it produces to charge a battery is known as a charge controller. There are two kinds of charge controllers—PWM (pulse-width modulation) and MPPT (maximum power point tracking) charge controllers. Both have a distinct charge regulation method and a similar battery charging algorithm.
What are the basics to wiring?
Electrical wiring is the conductor that connects components in your system. In most cases, solar system wiring should be copper with properly rated insulation for the location the wire will be occupying.
What are the different types of solar panels?
Almost all solar panels use silicon semiconductor material that makes up the solar cells. There are two primary types of solar panels: polycrystalline and monocrystalline.
What’s the appeal of RV or boat living?
As the cost of living increases, so does the struggle to find affrdable housing. At the same time, many occupations have transitioned to a digital or remote format, or employers have realized the possibility of offing that flexibility to their workers. These factors have increased the usage of RVs, campers, buses, boats, vans and other vehicles as second or in some cases even primary homes. Rather than being saddled with a mortgage or rent with no equity, many people are packing up their lives and hitting the road or water. Of course, that life isn’t for everyone—some prefer to keep their RVs or boats as a parttime or seasonal activity rather than a residence. But whatever the application, electric power comes into play.
What are off-grid/DC-powered refrigerators and freezers?
Solar refrigerators and freezers are highly effcient units with exceptionally low energy consumption. These appliances require a small photovoltaic (PV) system. DC refrigerators are powered directly from a battery bank which can be charged via solar and a genset/gas generator. The brushless DC motor compressor operates on 12 or 24V DC.
Intro to Water Pumps.
Water pumps are used to transfer water from one point to another by converting mechanical energy into pressure (head). Electrical energy typically drives the mechanical pump, whether from the grid, solar direct, batteries or an inverter. There are various things to keep in mind when selecting a pump and designing a system. Here we’ll discuss the multiple types of pumps, the application requirements which will define suitable pumps, and the overall concepts for powering the pump in a sustainable manner.
What does it mean to be grid tied?
The term “off grid” means just that—power and energy are generated from sources other than an electrical utility or power company. Off-grid solar systems incorporate components required for a standalone electrical power system. This includes energy generation from photovoltaic solar panels, energy storage usually in battery form and power generation utilizing an inverter/charger. Off-grid systems can also incorporate secondary energy generation from a fuel-powered generator and sometimes hydro-electric and wind power generation and more rarely fuel cell electric generators.
What does it mean to be grid tied?
A grid-tied solar system is connected to the utility grid. This is the most common system type for those who already have commercial electricity at their home. Grid-tied systems offer a simple and cost-effctive way to offset electric bills with solar energy. At their core, simple grid-tied systems consist of two main components: solar panels and an inverter. The solar panels collect light from the sun, and a chemical reaction inside the panel converts the light energy into DC electricity. This DC power is then sent to the inverter, which converts it to usable AC power before sending that power to the loads in your home. If the loads in the home are satisfied, and the solar panel array is producing excess power, a typical grid-tied system will send the extra power back to the grid. Most customers will get some kind of credit or reduction in their electric bill for selling excess solar production to their utility company. Any energy used by the home (such as at night, when it’s cloudy or if there are extra power needs) is purchased from the utility company like normal.
Battery Buying Guide
Selecting batteries for your solar power system can be overwhelming. With all the different types, sizes and varying price points, it's easy to get confused. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your needs and budget. If you want to take a deep dive into battery chemistry, please check out Battery chemistry, care, and terminology.
System configuration is imperative if it’s going to do exactly what you want it to do—whether that’s properly charging your batteries, getting your hybrid system prepped for load shaving or setting your battery monitor to accurate setpoints. Most inverter manufacturers have external devices capable of setting up whole-system management, as long as all major components—like the charge controller, battery monitor and inverter—are from that same manufacturer. However, a few other manufacturers over standalone items that are capable of setting up remote system monitoring all on their own—some even without a Wi-Fi signal present.
Backup power systems are a way to keep things operating during power outages. You may already be familiar with a UPS (uninterruptable power supply), which is a specific type of backup power system that keeps your computer running long enough during a blackout to save your work before shutting down. A backup power system can be attached to essential appliances like a refrigerator so your food doesn’t spoil. Or, they can be large enough to run a whole house or even a business.
We are excited for the release of several new products from SMA.
If you aren’t familiar with SMA Solar Technology, they are a global specialist in photovoltaic system technology and have been creating solar solutions for over 40 years.
We will keep you updated on the availability of these products!
Change is on the horizon for California Grid-Tie Solar customers. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved new Net Metering rules for grid-tie solar energy systems – NEM 3.0. Effective on April 13, 2023, the new Net Metering rules will stretch out the payback period for grid-tie solar power systems in the Golden State by reducing how much customers are paid for their solar generated power.
We have big news!
Northern Arizona Wind and Sun is now officially NAZ Solar-Electric.
Nothing has changed within the company. We haven’t been bought and our operations remain the same. After more than 40 years in the business, we thought a refresh was in order.
Many people are excited by the idea of producing electricity from the sun to power their home. However, they may be discouraged when they think of all the paperwork they will need to wade through to get permission from the utility company to install a system. You don't always need to ask your Utility Company for permission to install a solar power system on your home. One could take advantage of a grid-zero configuration.
Grid-tie solar systems are appearing in more and more neighborhoods as homeowners seek to reduce their rising electricity bills, charge electric vehicles, or just “green up” their energy footprint. However, many people are surprised to learn that the grid-tie solar panels on their roofs don’t supply power to the home when there is a utility blackout. This is due to the ani-islanding safety requirements of a grid tie solar power system.
When you purchase a complete Victron system from NAWS, we support you for the life of your system. One way we can help you ensure your system is configured correctly and working at maximum efficiency is by enabling remote monitoring and configuration over the internet.
At Northern Arizona Wind and Sun, one of the most frequent conversations our sales and engineering team has with customers is the “off-grid” discussion.
There are an endless number of options when it comes to configuring your solar power system, which is excellent! But it can make decisions a bit more challenging. In this video, James, our sales manager and application engineer, talks about why he installed the Sol-Ark 12K Inverter on his home as part of his grid-tied battery backup installation as a grid-interactive system.
At Northern Arizona Wind and Sun, equipping our customers with knowledge is integral to the partner process. This is part of what makes us different. We do not just sell products; we offer turnkey solutions and ongoing support to every customer.
Bob, an electronics aficionado from California, has enjoyed the world of electronics using ham radio and being involved in computer networking software and hardware. He worked in the hospitality management industry. Given his love for electronics and knowledge obtained over the years, he designed and installed his first home solar system that paid him back in just over three years thanks to the early credit incentives available in California at the time.
Living off grid presents several challenges even for those that make pre-calculations for every possible need when you’re in a remote area. Whether it’s determining a water source, developing emergency plans or deciding on a power source - most come with their own unique problem to solve and everyone’s situation is different.
Tom and wife, Debbie live on 25 acres of alfalfa farm in Northern Utah. Joining them are four dogs and twenty-three cats. Yes, you read that correctly. Both Tom and Debbie grew up on small family farms, she in Indiana and he in New Jersey. Tom joined the US Navy in 1971 where he spent six years as a computer repairman on the USS Long Beach CGN-9 which was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser which is now decommissioned and scrapped. Tom learned invaluable skills such as programming and electrical engineering while floating around the Indian Ocean...
Mike and his wife are in their late 20s and have lived in Flagstaff for nearly 10 years. Flagstaff is the largest northern-most city in Arizona. It’s not the typical Arizona landscape you immediately envision. Full of ponderosas and aspen trees, Flagstaff is an outdoor haven for adventure seekers or those trying to get away from the rat race. It’s a short drive up from the Phoenix metro area and is popular weekend destination for those that are weary of the summer heat.
Larry is a retired US Navy aircraft mechanic. He and his wife currently own a boat transport company and have been mulling retirement in recent years. Settling down in a quiet place is the dream of many retirees. They had the same dream which prompted them to buy property in Northern California. Like many vacant properties, there are obstacles to overcome. Grid power can expensive if there isn’t a transformer nearby – in this case, it was 2000 feet from Larry’s property.
There is a growing trend of Americans wanting to down-size and sell their homes for a different lifestyle. Huge mortgages and the burden of living in substantial debt has led people to reassess their situations. With a large portion of jobs now being done remotely due to COVID-19, people can now work from anywhere if they have an internet connection. Despite the overall economic impacts of the virus, the RV market is hot and showing no signs of slowing down.
Scott and Susan have been adventurers together since 1978 when they married at age 20. Much of their adventure came in the form of sailing. Living in the Pacific Northwest for many years gave them the opportunity to sail the Pacific Ocean as far as Maui and up to Alaska. After retiring from Microsoft and spending the bulk of their time on the west coast, they found themselves wanting to explore places east of Seattle which led them to moving their adventures from sea to land. Their first step was finding a vehicle that could get the job done.
Greg was born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Engineering and Science. He’s currently an Electrical Engineer and leads a small team of engineers while mentoring and coaching young go-getters. Recently, in his spare time, he’s spent many hours researching solar power. Being involved in the electrical field automatically gives him leveraged insight into solar electric technology.
We have a variety of people that reach out to us needing a solar power system. Their applications may vary drastically, but the common denominator of needing an independent power source remains the constant when it comes to deciding on solar power. This week’s customer story is no different, but the motivating reason for needing to be off-grid is much different.
David, a business owner in the masonry industry likes to take a break from the daily grind. Getting out on the open road and piloting his RV is the best kind of therapy for the California resident. Traveling the USA in an RV is the best way to the see the country, especially if it’s energy independent.
Steven, a full-time RVer has lived on the road for 3 years now. He works as an IT consultant and has enjoyed the opportunity to work while he travels if there’s an internet connection. This trend has increased in popularity over the past few years due to the ability to work remotely. It’s as simple has having a combination of LTE and campground Wi-Fi.
Lloyd, a retired aerospace purchasing agent travels with his wife and dog in a 30 ft travel trailer. They travel part-time but usually stay on the road for months at the time. Lloyd is a DIY like many others doing his own mods and maintenance on the travel trailer. For them, traveling on the road has become a way of life that required learning how to adapt, especially when it comes to a reliable power source.
Nathan has lived in Colorado for 45 years for the simple reason of wanting snow and sun all in one day. Being a photographer, he couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful place to live. Choosing a lifestyle that thrived on renewable energy was important to Nathan because of his belief that it is a responsible way to live.
This week’s customer story features Mike, a retired software developer, that lives near Questa, New Mexico with his wife who is a retired accountant. Like many others in recent years, they have chosen the path of living in a completely off-grid home called the Q-House because of its proximity to Questa, New Mexico.
Comfortable off-grid living is achieved by many, thanks to solar electric technology. Joel and Amy who reside in Northern Arizona, not only live comfortably using solar power but they thrive by raising their own food, pumping their own water and sustaining a homestead that provides organic food to their very own customers. Without solar power, it would have been nearly impossible to realize their dreams of being self-sufficient.
This week’s customer story features Lyndon from Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Northern Saskatchewan is a sparsely populated area covering the northern half of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
Arizona is home to many attractive off-grid properties that are located in remote areas of the state. Some of the most beautiful places in Arizona are those properties that do not have access to grid power and are located down several miles of dirt roads.
Robin from Creativity RV – you may have heard of her. If not, she has a large following on YouTube that chronicles her life living on the road. Following in the footsteps of many others before her, Robin grew weary of living the corporate life to pay for a huge mortgage while life passes by. She was in the corporate world for over 20 years before deciding to take the dive into nomad living.
Tom is a retired airline pilot and enjoys doing lots of hands on activities - more specifically, solar power. In 2011 Tom installed 80 ground-based solar panels on his home. When he isn’t at home, he tows a 12’ motorcycle trailer behind his 34’ motorhome.
For most DC-coupled off-grid systems it really comes down to four main components – solar panels, charger controller, inverter and the battery bank.
Our latest customer story shifts to Colorado. Tom, who spent 4 years in the US Air Force and worked in the airline industry for 32 years, moved to Colorado in 2005 along with his wife to build their own log home.
Understanding battery types and chemistries can be confusing for those new to solar energy. It’s important to understand the basics of how they are different so you can choose the right battery type for your solar power application.
Many customers ask about the differences in purchasing a pre-wired system - for example, one of Outback’s FPR panels vs purchasing the same components individually.
When investing in a solar system, it is normal to inquire about the longevity. There are several components to a solar power system, so it is important to consider everything when evaluating the life expectancy of the overall system.
Getting away from the complexity of the traditional American Dream and trying a different approach at life is the desire of many. Trends indicate that Americans are transitioning into smaller homes or taking their life on the road. A couple from Austin TX is living their new dream traveling the USA with no regrets. James and Kelly sold their home in Austin to live on the road in their 39’ fifth wheel. Both being able to work remotely gives them the perfect opportunity to travel the country with their three border collies. Their passion is exploring nature and trail running in new locations along their travels.
A common misconception about grid-tie solar systems is that during a power outage or grid failure, the solar system will continue to provide power to loads. Due to the nature of grid-tie solar systems and how they are designed, all power output to the grid must cease during an outage unless other backups are designed into the solar system, which basically changes the nature of the system entirely.
This week’s solar system spotlight features Jessa and Dan. They have been together for 19 years but decided that settling down wasn’t the lifestyle they wanted. Owning their own business gave their family the opportunity to travel full-time. They purchased a 1972 Boles Aero Travel Trailer which they rebuilt from the frame up and hit the road.
This week’s article features Robert, a retired park ranger with 35 years of service. As a park ranger he was exposed and picked up many basic handyman skills which saved labor costs on household repairs which would come in handy for his DIY solar power system install.
This week’s customer story features Jody and Shelle who spend their life on the road as full-time RVers in their 40’ Fifth Wheel. Both Jody and Shelle have jobs that allow them to travel the country with complete freedom. Jody is self-employed Solutions Architect and Shelle is a nature / travel photographer. The couple stays active on social media and vlogs about their experiences traveling on the road which helps keep their friends and family back home informed about their whereabouts.
We are featuring a very cool project this week. Joachim is a fulltime RV’er that owns his own mobile recording studio. He bought an RV for his studio which needed a reliable power source. Once again, solar electric was the obvious choice for anything mobile. In February Joachim bought a 36’ long 2009 Fleetwood Terra with around 30k miles.
This week’s article features Ed, a full time RV’er. Ed is a retired commercial industrial HVAC service technician that worked in Denver providing service to everything related to heating and cooling. After leaving the workforce, Ed started living in his RV fulltime in June 2017. He sold his 29’ travel trailer and purchased a brand new 39’ fifth wheel as his home in January 2018.
Our solar project this week features customer Jason E., a full time RVer. Jason is a father and husband in a nomadic family of five that travels in their fifth wheel RV full time. His family has been living the nomadic lifestyle for 5+ years but most recently is in the process of putting down some roots, though they maintain traveling is still in their future.
Our solar project this week features customer David G. of Northern Arizona. David and his family purchased property in the high desert of Northern Arizona to be closer to extended family. Their intention wasn’t necessarily to go off-grid with their power needs, however, the location where they purchased their property dictated solar to be their only power option. That’s when David researched solar power and ultimately contacted our team at Northern Arizona Wind & Sun.
When looking at what is an ideal full system configuration for an RV, typically one would want to consider the expectations of a system and limitations of the RV, and then build the system around these expectations and limitations. In most cases you want to start from the roof and work your way down.
Roof space is usually the biggest limitation when considering solar power for an RV. Being that solar panels are one of the least expensive aspects of a complete system, maximizing production value for a given space is the most advantageous plan. In most cases putting as many panels on the roof as will fit is the best idea. Measure or use pieces of cardboard, targeting a sixty-cell panel format (~67”x40”). These are technically the best panels and the cheapest, due to the volume of sales these panels enjoy. Other panel sizes are available. Mixing sizes and shapes is complicated so plan wisely. We’ve never had a customer complain about having too much power (because this isn’t possible) but having too little power can result in too little energy production which may not meet your expectations. This can be frustrating and could lead to premature battery failure or other system wide issues.
Next you need to plan for an inverter if you need to run AC appliances and devices. The inverter converts power from the batteries to your basic household outlet AC power, 120VAC or 120/240VAC. You need to decide whether you want a fully integrated inverter system or a simple stand-alone inverter. In most cases, this decision will be dictated by what you want to power from the inverter. If you simply want to plug in a laptop or charge a phone from time to time, then a stand-alone inverter should work fine. Most of these smaller inverters will have an outlet on the front allowing low power devices to be connected. Anything more demanding than this requires a fully integrated inverter/charger. These inverter/chargers have a built-in transfer switch and the ability to charge the batteries at a much higher current than a typical converter. These are advanced inverter/chargers with powerful features and thus are usually the best solution for medium to large installations. The inverter/charger is typically placed between the shore power input and the main electric panel, the output from this inverter would go to the main electric panel. This essentially will power up all or most of the electrical circuits within the RV, depending on the configuration of the electrical panel. When AC input power is present from either shore power or generator, the inverter/charger will qualify the input (making sure it’s acceptable) and transfer that power through. It will pull from the AC input dynamically depending on certain limitations to charge the batteries. When shore power or the generator are not present the inverter uses energy from the batteries to power the AC loads. There are many more advanced features available from this type of inverter/charger, but in general if you power to all the outlets and appliances like the micro wave or the air conditioner then an inverter/charger is the way to go. Special care needs to be taken if you wish the inverter/charger to power air conditioners. Air conditioners consume large amounts of energy and need careful planning.
The final step in a design is sizing the battery bank. An RV is a terribly abusive environment for batteries. It’s common to have significant deficit cycling (infrequent full charges), over discharge is very likely, and temperature can vary significantly. There are two types of batteries that work for an RV system; lead acid and lithium-ion. Lead-acid batteries include flooded batteries (AGM), or Gel. However, gel lead acid batteries are not designed for the demands present in a typical RV system.
No maintenance
Lightweight
Can be placed inside the living space
Smaller size
Battery bank can be added to over time
Low chance of damage if left uncharged
Higher level of efficiency
Charges faster
Cost- Lithium batteries are more expensive, however, over the life of the system Lithium is cheaper.
Low cost
Larger and heavier than Lithium
It’s not recommended to add to a lead acid battery bank after it’s installed
Life is significantly reduced if they are left uncharged for any length of time
Cheapest battery option
Must be placed in a vented enclosure designed to handle the gas fumes they create
Extremely heavy - it’s important to make sure that the location can handle the weight
Poorly suited to handle the abuse present in an RV system
Not recommended to add to their battery bank.
It’s important to have an accurate battery monitor installed in the system, one that uses a shunt. This will allow for accurate tracking of the battery state of charge. Regardless of the type of battery bank, this accessory can really help prevent excessive discharge and confirm regular recharging.
You can do all the research you want but some of the best recommendations you’ll get are going to come from experts in the industry. Northern Arizona Wind & Sun has several engineers on site happy to consult and design a system to suit your application, no matter how unique or complicated. Feel free to give us a call to discuss your project today.
A lot of people assume they need a transfer switch for an off-grid system when they are using a generator to charge the batteries or power loads. If you are using an inverter/charger there is an internal transfer switch to select between the inverter’s output and an incoming AC source. Most inverter/chargers will remain in “Invert” mode unless they see an acceptable AC source coming through (Shore / Grid Power or Generator Power). Once the inverter/charger accepts the AC voltage, it transfers over to supply power to loads and dump excess power into the batteries. Once this AC source is disconnected, the inverter will transfer back to “invert” mode and use battery power to run the loads. Some inverter/chargers will accept two AC sources and transfer between either of those and the inverter’s output. So if this is how your system would be set up, then there is no need for an external transfer switch.
You may need an external transfer switch if you have an inverter/charger with only one AC input and you want to switch between two AC sources like a generator and shore/grid power. This is the case in most mobile/RV applications. Another scenario is when you have a generator that can deliver more power than the inverter/charger can pass through and you want to power some heavy loads. The inverter charger is limited by the rating of the internal transfer switch. For example: Let’s say we have a Schneider 3.8kW inverter/charger with an internal 30A transfer switch with a split phase 120/240VAC output. The max load we can run by passing the generator power through is 7.2kW (30A x 240VAC = 7200 W). If we had a load that exceeded this 7.2 kW, and we had a generator that was able to satisfy this load, we would want the inverter/charger to be bypassed, allowing the generator to power the load directly. In this event we could use an external transfer switch to select between the inverter’s output and the generator’s output. If the inverter/charger is properly sized, this scenario does not occur often.
For more info on this call Northern Arizona Wind and Sun 1-800-383-0195 or email sales@solar-electric.com.
