For most of the smallish systems meant for lighting, there is no inverter.
The inverter is usually in the larger systems meant for powering
heavier-draw devices that require AC.
GP
On 6/22/12, Philip Musyoki <
pmusyoki@gmail.com> wrote:
> Peter,
>
> Those solar powered lights, in the most basic configuration, have 3
> components:
>
> 2. A solar charge controller,
> 3. A battery,
> 4. An inverter.
>
>
> The panal charges the battery during the day, and solar charge controller
> controls the charge rate to the battery to make sure it is not
> over-charged.
>
> During the night, the inverter converts the battery charge to either AC/DC
> power that then power the lights.
>
> The lighting units must have a casing somewhere,probably high up in the
> pole to deter thieves to house these systems.
>
> About charging you laptop, I guess it is possible. Most inverters can
> handle loads of upwards of 750 W, which should be sufficient for your
> laptops.
>
> Right now the most costly part of a solar system is the panels. Good,
> quality panels of around 150 W would costs around USD 1000. And fully
> charge a battery system to power your laptops or office all day and night,
> you will need to do a load calculation and see how large of a solar system
> you need,considering the amount of hours of charge and so on
>
> Suffice is to say Kenya Power may end up being cheaper, albeit unreliable
> in the short term. But costs for solar systems are coming down, owing to
> Eastern manufactures, so maybe in a couple of years you will be able to
> bypass Kenya Power altogether.
>