Solar Systems

Grid-Tied-system-pic

Grid Tied Solar systems are the most popular and economical system and a good step to going green.

Grid Tied systems are ideal for saving electricity costs and reducing monthly expenses, and offers the best Return on Investment

A Grid Tied system is very simple in design and consists of the following components:

  • Solar modules that collect sunlight and convert it into DC electricity
  • Inverter which receives the DC current and converts it into AC grid power

The solar generated power is connected through the inverter to the building’s grid at the main distribution board.

The inverter facilitates a seamless, dynamic interface between Grid Power and Solar Power, ensuring that there is always power supply going to the building and prioritizing the Solar Power supply so that the solar power is used first.

For example, if the power consumption is 100kW and solar is generating 95kW, then:

  • 95kW will be supplied from Solar with the inverter ensuring that the 95kW from Solar is used first
  • Grid power will supply the balance of 5kW

If power consumption is less than Solar Power supply, then no power will be drawn from the Grid.

There is no switching between Solar Power & Grid Power, but rather a continuous supply of both Solar Power & Grid Power with Solar Power supply being the first priority. Subsequently there is no dip in power supply to the building, and therefore the Grid Tie solution is safe to use with any and all sensitive equipment, including PC’s.

Grid Tie systems are fully expandable so that more Solar PV Panels can be added to the system to generate more Solar power. Battery Systems can at later stage be incorporated with Grid Tied systems.

Grid Tie systems can be added to existing warehouses, packaging plants and manufacturing plants or can be incorporated into the design and building of new premises. Grid Tied systems are available in Single Phase and Three Phase. There is no limit to the power supply potential of Grid Tied systems and can be implemented for small buildings with low power usage or big manufacturing plants with high power consumption.

Our Grid Tied system are compatible with Generators and UPS’s and are capable of Grid Feed-In

Grid Tied System are suitable for medium to large domestic, and all commercial and industrial applications.

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Hybrid systems are the standard Solar systems which uses Solar to charge Batteries and supply power to the building, with Eskom as tertiary power supply.

This solution is ideal for the following scenarios:

  • Electricity savings in conjunction with battery back-up to ensure a steady power supply, even during power outage

Hybrid systems consists of the following components:

  • Solar modules that collect sunlight and converts it to DC power
  • Inverter (with built-in charge controller and regulator) which:
    • receives DC power from Solar modules
    • receives AC power from Eskom
    • charges batteries with either Solar power or Eskom power (based on programming)
    • discharges batteries and converts it into AC power for supply to the building
  • Deep cycle batteries which are managed by the inverter to be correctly charged by Solar or Eskom & discharged to supply power to the building

The Hybrid system is connected to specific circuits as wired in the DB, e.g. Lights, dedicated plug points, etc. All power supply (load) to these connected circuits flows through the Hybrid inverter, irrespective if the power is supplied by Solar, Batteries or Eskom.

The Hybrid inverter needs to be sized correctly to accommodate the required load.

Hybrid systems are suitable for small to medium domestic, and very small commercial applications.

Hybrid inverters are available in different sizes. Multiple Hybrid Inverters can be interconnected to increase the load capacity of the system.

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Bi-Directional System is both a Hybrid- and a Grid Tied system, combining the best of both worlds.

This is a dual Solar feed system where one channel, like the Hybrid system, uses Solar power to charge batteries and supply power to the building. A second channel, like the Grid Tied system, supplies Solar power directly to all other circuits in the building during the day, for maximum savings.

The battery system can subsequently be smaller than the Hybrid system as the battery channel can be wired to only supply dedicated critical circuits which are required to receive power during power outage.

This solution is ideal for the following scenarios:

  • Maximizing electricity savings in conjunction with battery back-up to ensure a steady power supply, even during power outage
  • Relative lower Capital layout compared to Hybrid system

Hybrid systems consists of the following components:

  • Solar modules that collect sunlight and converts it to DC power
  • Inverter (with built-in charge controller and regulator) which:
    • receives DC power from Solar modules
    • receives AC power from Eskom
    • charges batteries with either Solar power or Eskom power (based on programming)
    • discharges batteries and converts it into AC power for supply to the building
    • receives the DC current and converts it into AC grid power
  • Deep cycle batteries which are managed by the inverter to be correctly charged by Solar or Eskom & discharged to supply power to the building

Bi-Directional System are suitable for medium to large domestic and small commercial applications.

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Off Grid systems means you’re not connected to the Eskom grid.

This solution is ideal for the following scenarios:

  • You’re building on a new property and the cost of bringing in an Eskom service is too high
  • You wish to be completely independent of Eskom
  • The monthly fixed connection cost from Eskom is exuberant relative to the consumption cost

Off Grid systems consists of the following components:

  • Solar modules that collect sunlight and convert it into DC power
  • Inverter (with built-in charge controller and regulator) which:
    • receives DC current from Solar modules
    • charges batteries with DC current
    • discharges batteries and converts it into AC power for supply to the building
  • Deep cycle batteries which are managed by the inverter to be correctly charged by Solar & discharged to supply power to the building

Off Grid systems are typically over designed to include more Solar modules and more battery capacity in order to cater for days of poor weather conditions.
During poor weather, i.e. rain, there is little or no Solar power generation. The battery capacity needs to allow for this in order to ensure a continuous supply of electricity.

Likewise the Solar generation capacity is oversized so that it can accommodate recharging the extended battery capacity and simultaneously supply power to the building.

Due to the overdesign of Off Grid systems, these have typically a longer Return on Investment.

Off Grid systems can be designed to run in conjunction with generators, and even to use generators to recharge batteries. This can result in smaller battery capacity and thus reduction in initial capital cost.

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What does it cost?

The cost is relative to the size and design of the Solar System. Our aim is to provide a Solar Power solution that will pay for itself within a few years. Battery back-up adds to the cost of the system and hence increases the Return on Investment, but adds to Safety and Security as it delivers power supply during power interruptions. When determining feasibility based on cost, it is important to take into account the 25year performance guarantee on the PV Panels

Can I start with a small system and add to it later?

Yes. Our systems are modular so that you can have a small system installed and add to it in time in order to increase its capacity.

Does Solar work on cloudy & rainy days?

Solar PV panels generate power from Solar Radiation. During cloudy conditions, there are less solar radiation and thus the Solar PV panels produce less electricity. During rainy conditions there are typically no solar radiation and then no Solar PV power. In these conditions where the Solar PV generation is less, the system can use battery and / or grid power to supply the shortfall of power supply from Solar. If connected to the Grid, Grid power can be used to re-charge the batteries under these conditions. Generators can also be used to recharge the batteries.

What is the advantage of having Batteries?

With a Hybrid / Bi-directional system, the batteries can either be used to supply power when the Solar PV is not supplying power / not supplying enough power i.e. at night. During power outage (Loadshedding), the batteries will power critical components like alarms and electric fences to ensure Safety & Security, as well as entertainment equipment like TV, DSTV, etc. and essentials like Fridges / Freezers. A Grid Interactive solution will reduce risk.

Grid Tied systems requires either Grid or Generator power to supply Solar PV power. Grid Tied solutions can therefor be integrated to run with Generators.

Are Residential & Commercial Solar Systems the same?

Commercial Solar PV system are generally designed to reduce electricity costs and therefor reduce overheads, and simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. Grid Tied systems are typically implemented for businesses, as the cost per kWh installed is much lower. Subsequently the Return on Investment for Grid Tied systems are much shorter.

Residential Solar PV Systems normally includes a battery component to supply power to Safety, Security & Entertainment equipment during Loadshedding. The battery component as well as the Inverter function to manage the batteries increases the overall cost of such a system. Grid Tied systems can be implemented for Residential application to supply power demand during the day.

Are there Tax incentives for Solar PV Systems?

Companies are allowed accelerated Tax depreciation on Solar PV Systems. As per Income Tax Act 58 of 1962, Part 12B as amended, companies are allowed to do full depreciation in year 1.

Can I feed power back into the Grid?

Yes, both Grid Tied and Bi-Directional systems are as standard capable of feeding power back into the Grid. Permission should be obtained from either your local municipality or Eskom, as applicable. Contact Solar Power for more detail.

What is the Return on Investment of Solar PV system?

Solar PV systems is ideal for electricity savings and thus reducing monthly expenses, both for Residential and Commercial applications. The Return on Investment is influenced by several factors including the current electrical tariff and the design of the Solar PV System. Grid Tied systems offers the shortest Return on Investment due to the relative low cost as oppose to systems which includes batteries like Hybrid, Bi-Directional and Off-Grid Systems.

Does Solar PV Systems increase my property value?

Yes. Solar PV Systems reduces cost of electricity and therefor increases the value of your property and leads to quicker selling / leasing of your property. Solar Systems attracts potential buyers and tenants who are appreciative of reduced carbon footprint.

Are the Solar PV Panels hail and weather resistant?

Yes, the solar PV panels are designed to withstand hail and severe weather conditions.

We only use Tier 1 supplier PV Panels to always ensure best quality, reliability and efficiency.

What equipment can powered by a Solar PV System?

Any equipment which uses electricity can be powered by a Solar PV system. There is no limit to the size of Solar PV Systems.

Can Solar PV Systems supply 3 phase power?

Yes. Solar PV Systems are available in both single Phase and 3Phase.

How long will a Solar PV System last?

Solar PV Panels have a performance warranty of 25 years. The actual lifespan of the panels can be as long as 50 years.

How much roof space is required for Solar PV Panels?

The roof area required depends on the angle and orientation of the roof, as well as the design of the system. On an North facing pitched roof, 6.15m² is required for 1kWp or 5,5kWh/day