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:
1. A solar panel, 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.