Sierra Solar Systems offers you a series of pre-packaged systems to
help you in the process of choosing your electrical independence. All
of the packages are balanced for typical residential use and serve as
a basic starting place to build your custom system. The systems are
expandable. By working with our highly trained technicians you can
add or upgrade items now or in the future.

How Can I upgrade or expand?

All of our pre-packaged systems feature either a Trace or Outback
Power Panel. Any Power Panel that is purchased as a "single" inverter
can be upgraded by purchasing another identical inverter and DC
breaker sometime in the future. Another charge controller and breaker
can also be installed at a later date if you want to expand your PV
array. PV arrays can be expanded by purchasing identical or
equivalent modules (If you are considering expanding your PV array,
you may want to oversize your PV mount when you purchase the original
system, to avoid buying two smaller mounts)

What Do These Numbers Mean?

The pre-packaged systems are created around the inverter. The
capacity of the inverter is the available output (in watts) at any
given time through the inverter. The packages are rated by the
inverter capacity. Example: the Independent Home 1500 watt System is
rated as a 1500 watt system because the inverter can produce up to
1500 watts continuously. This does not tell you anything about the
amount of power (watts) available in the batteries.

To determine the total amount of power (watts) that are in the
batteries at the end of the charging day, we have to know the number
of PV modules (solar panels) and their rated output. Example: if the
Independent Home 1500 watt System uses four 75 watt PV modules (4.4
amps @ 17 volts), and there are five hours of charging time per day
in your area, then the total amount of power put into the batteries
on that day would be around 1050 watt hours: 4.4 amps x 4 modules x 5
hours = 88 amp hours x 12 volts (battery voltage) = 1056 watt hours.