I would like to set up a solar power array in my apartment, but I’d like to just bypass a storage battery. If I set up a solar power array and hook it up to an inverter that will then tie into a power socket into the grid itself, do I need a battery? I just want to save money on my electricity bill and not have a standby in case of a power failure.
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DO NOT try to tie yourself into a commercial grid– do you want to cause a fire or someone’s death?!!! Use the storage batteries– it is far safer, and easier to troubleshoot. Look at it this way, do you want the electric company to fine you, or for your landlord to hold you responsible for major damages?
No, you need a battery with a charge controller. Just a solar panel alone could produce up to 20v that could damage your inverter, or also may not be enough watts to drive the unit. With a charge controller and battery, you can run things during sunny days that would normally be using power from your home. How many watts will your panel be putting out? This will determine how much can be hooked up to your battery bank drawing power from your panels the same time. You should never hook an inverter to your home outlet, or a socket that it’s not designed for or you can fry your inverter in moments. I run cordless phones, doorbells, CFL’s, and small lighting fixtures to cut back even thou my furnace still runs on the grid sucking my wallet dry!
eBay has inexpensive charge controllers that will work for you.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=charge+controller&_sacat=See-All-Categories
You can also find good deals on 12v batteries for your charge controller unit.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=sealed+lead+acid+battery&_sacat=0&_odkw=charge+controller&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
When you have these things you can run your inverter on your battery when fully charged, or during the day while you have sun charging your battery. You can run things from your inverter according to the output from your panel.
I built my own charge controller because I needed something a bit more heavy for my system.
Depends on where you live – and who is your electricity provider. Over here (Germany), that sort of stuff is commonplace (and subsidized by the state – and paid for by all other electricity customers). Your best (and probably only) bet would be to talk to your electricity company.
Grid-tied solar system are the most common type in the USA these days. They do not require batteries. However, the inverter has to connect to the grid through the breaker panel, which may not be accessible from your apartment. You would need to coordinate with your landlord, which might be tricky at best. If they will allow it, you can look at some grid-tied systems here, http://www.altestore.com/store/Kits-Package-Deals/Grid-Tied-Systems/c569/
The best way to save money on electricity is to use less. I know, pretty obvious, but it is cheaper to save electricity than to make it. Change out all of you light bulbs from incandescent to CFL, look for phantom loads that stay on when you turn the device off, like TVs, stereos, PCs, and connect them to a power strip that you can turn completely off at night.