Solar

The light from the sun, made up of packets of energy called photons, falls onto a solar panel and creates an electric current through a process called the photovoltaic effect. Each panel produces a relatively small amount of energy, but can be linked together with other panels to produce higher amounts of energy as a solar array. The electricity produced from a solar panel (or array) is in the form of direct current (DC). Although many electronic devices use DC electricity, including your phone or laptop, they are designed to operate using the electrical utility grid which provides (and requires) alternating current (AC). Therefore, in order for the solar electricity to be useful it must first be converted from DC to AC using an inverter. This AC electricity from the inverter can then be used to power electronics locally, or be sent on to the electrical grid for use elsewhere.

What is the difference between on-grid and off-grid solar power? On-grid means your solar system is tied to your local utility’s GRID. This is what most residential homes will use because you are covered if your solar system under or over-produces in regard to your varying energy needs. All this means for you is that your utility system acts as your battery space. If you are producing more energy with your solar panels or system than you are using, the excess energy is sent to your grid’s power company, allowing you to build credit that you can cash out with at the end of the year, in a process called “net metering”.

Being grid-tied is beneficial because you don’t have to buy an expensive battery back-up system to store any excess energy. Being off-grid means you are not connected in any way to your grid’s power system or utility company. This is appealing because you are 100% self-sustaining your energy use. However, there are disadvantages because off-grid systems require you to purchase back-up battery, which can be expensive, bulky, and not very environmentally friendly, which defeats the purpose of going solar (save money and live greener).

NET METERING Provision of net metering arrangement to the consumer, who intends to install grid Hybrid Solar System generate power using ,solar power generated from photovoltaic system combine with another power generating energy source. These systems generate power in the same way as a common grid-tie solar system but it use batteries to store energy for later use. This ability to store energy makes most hybrid systems to operate as a backup power supply similar to a UPS system.

The term hybrid referred to two power generation sources such as wind and solar. However, here the term hybrid solar refers to a combination of solar and battery storage which unlike off-grid systems is connected to the electricity grid. Also some hybrid inverters have the option of connecting the essential loads (as any other inverter) but the grid tie connection will automatically send the excess solar power into the grid loads if necessary.

Why store solar energy in a battery?

A solar hybrid system stores excess solar energy and provide back-up power during power off. This is useful for homeowners as well as the majority of businesses, which operate during the daylight hours; a common grid-feed solar system is still the most economical choice. Hybrid solar systems store solar energy and is able to use the solar energy at home during the evening even if the cost of electricity is at the peak rate.

The ability to store and use solar energy when desired is referred to as self-use or self-consumption. Solar hybrid system works in the same way as an off-grid power system but the battery capacity required is less.