System Voltage Help
It is best to stay with 12 volts for small systems. There are many more choices for 12 volt DC lights and appliances. Larger systems that will use large AC appliances should be 24 or 48 volts. The wire size that you use between the PV modules and batteries and the inverter will be smaller with larger system voltages. If you require an inverter larger than 2400 watts, you need to have at least a 24 volt system because there are no larger inverters available that run on 12 volts. You should consider 48 volt systems only when planning on having an inverter of 4000 watts or larger or two or more inverters. The wire sizes between the inverter and batteries can be quite large at smaller voltages. You should always plan to have the inverter within five feet of the batteries if possible.