Basic
Grid-tie Solar (PV) Electric Systems
A
typical grid-tie PV system
consists of a series of solar modules, connected together to
form an
array. The array can installed on a roof or on ground or pole top
mounts.When
sunlight strikes the surface of the array, it produces
direct current (dc) electricity. A UL
listed, utility-grade inverter
converts the direct current (dc) power from the PV array into
alternating current (ac) power that exactly matches the voltage and
frequency of the
electricity flowing in the utility line.
The
electricity generated by these systems flows into the home's
electric service panel and
merges with the utility power. If the PV
system is producing more energy than the home is
using, the excess
flows out into the utility grid, turning the utility meter backwards
and
generating a credit. If the home is consuming more energy than the
PV system is producing,
the meter turns in the forward direction. This
is known as net
metering.
All modern systems
must conform to UL and utility safety and power-quality requirements.
In
the event of a power outage, safety switches in the inverter
automatically disconnect the
PV system from the line. This safety
disconnect protects utility repair personnel from being
shocked by
electricity flowing from the PV array into what they would expect to be
a "dead"
utility line.
There
are no storage batteries in this type of system. They are
designed to turn off during a
power outage and can not function as a
backup power system.
Grid-tie
Solar Electric Systems with Battery Backup
These
systems are
essentially the same as the non-battery versions, with one important
difference. Instead of the energy from the solar array being processed
and sent directly to
the utility grid, it's used to charge a bank of
storage batteries. A special battery based grid-tie
inverter is
connected to these batteries. When the batteries are fully charged, the
inverter
sends the excess energy to the utility grid.
During
a power outage, this inverter disconnects the grid-tie function
(as required by UL and
the utility) but continues to provide backup
power to critical loads in the home. The amount
of backup power
available is determined by the size of the battery bank, the amount of
power
being consumed by the critical loads and by the amount of solar
energy available for battery charging.
Once
the utility power returns and the inverter and solar array
recharge the batteries, the
system goes back into grid-tie mode.
NOTE: The cost of adding
batteries to these systems is NOT covered by the New York PV
incentive
program.
Off-grid
PV
Also known as independent or
stand alone power, these systems are typically used to power
remote
homes and cabins. In most cases, if the power lines are more than 1/3
of a mile away,
a stand alone renewable energy system can be
cost-effective. Solar electric modules charge a
bank of batteries, an
off-grid inverter converts the DC battery current to standard 120/ 240
volt AC power and the home can be wired normally.
These systems can easily accept other
battery charging sources such as
wind turbines, hydro
electric turbines and AC generators. When 2 or
more charging sources are used, it's known as
a hybrid power system.
Our most popular off-grid option is a solar and wind electric hybrid
system. This combination works together to even out the seasonal
variations of either power
source alone.
Solar
Water Pumping
These pumps are very high
efficiency, making the most of every watt of solar energy.
Most of the
pumping systems we install in NY and PA are for remote livestock
watering
applications. There are systems available to pump from ponds,
springs, shallow and deep
wells and produce up to 18,000 gallons per
day. A great alternative to fuel fired pumps,
generators or running
miles of wire.
And
so much more!
We also use solar PV for:
Remote communications for emergency
services and amateur radio repeaters
Remote monitoring equipment and data
acquisition
To provide our own power for installing
those remote power systems!
Trickle charging start batteries in
vehicles, seasonal equipment, etc.
Electric fence chargers
And........
The list of cost-effective uses for solar
power grows every day.
Thanks
for dropping by!
This
website was created with solar and wind power!
