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 The photovoltaic array is the collection of all of the solar panels hooked up to the battery. While it is aesthetically pleasing to have all one type of panel in the array, this is not necessary, and as long as the charge control devices are properly matched, the array can be expanded with different types and sizes of panels as the system grows. Shown to the right is an array of polycrystalline Solarex panels wired series-parallel to produce approximately 1.5 kilowatts of electricity in full sun conditions.
This array consists of three sub-arrays of eight panels, and each sub-array has it's own fused disconnect and individual wiring underground to the main junction box on the outside of the garage. Another fused disconnect is located at the point of entrance to the garage, and large copper cables connect this last disconnect to the DC disconnect for the charge controller located in the equipment room inside of the garage.
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Within the detached garage are located the solar electric charge controllers, the batteries, and the inverters. Safety disconnect switches and circuit breakers are also located within a secure mechanical room. The photovoltaic solar panels are divided into three separate arrays, located on free-standing mounts, with approximately 125 to 175 feet of underground copper cable connecting them to the charge controllers within the garage. All garage electrical circuits are AC, and therefore there are no DC circuits utilized in this installation. Both the house and the garage (with the solar array) have been inspected and approved by the Colorado State Electrical Inspector. 
In the photograph to the left, notice the presence of an electric refrigerator/freezer, an electric dishwasher and a range/oven. There is also a garbage disposal and microwave not featured. The refrigerator/freezer is made by SunFrost, and is a very efficient model, using less than 1 kilowatt-hr (kwh) per day. The dishwasher is by ASKO, and has switches for disabling the pre-heater on the wash cycle, and the electric drying element on the dry cycle. By removing the electric heating features of the dishwasher, the total consumption of electricity is limited to about 0.5 kwh per wash cycle. The range/oven is propane powered and uses a piezoelectric lighting element for the oven, rather than an electric glow plug which would consume electricity when using the oven-- even though the main source of heat is propane.
Shown to the left are a pair of Trace SW 4024 inverters stacked for 220 VAC service, and this combination produces 8000 watts continuously. As with the modified sine wave inverters, these can also surge to 16,000 watts or so for starting motors. Also featured in the photograph are the DC disconnect switches and the main AC disconnect from the output side of the inverter pair. This system runs the 4000 sq. ft. farmhouse and also controls the back-up propane generator. 
