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Grid Tied Solar System ( Alternating Current)
This type of system requires no storage equipment (i.e. batteries).
The crucial issue relative to the PV Systems discussed below is the technical aspects of tying into the electricity grid. In these applications, grid-tied inverters must be used that meet the requirements of the utilities. They must not emit "noise" which can interfere with the reception of equipment (e.g. televisions), switch off in the case of a grid failure and retain acceptable levels of harmonic distortion (i.e. quality of voltage and current output waveforms).
This type of system tends to be an optimum configuration from an economic viewpoint because all the electricity is utilized by the owner during the day and any surplus is exported to the grid. Meanwhile, the cost of storage to meet night-time needs is avoided, because the owner simply draws on the grid in the usual way. Also, with access to the grid, the system does not need to be sized to meet peak loads.
Stand Alone Grid Tied Solar System ( Alternating Current)
This type of solar energy system is the same as the grid-tied system above except that battery storage is added to enable power to be generated even when the electricity grid fails. The additional cost to the customer can be quantified against the value of knowing that their power supply will not be interrupted.
Stand-alone off-grid solar system without energy storage (direct current)
In this configuration (i.e. without any energy storage device), the PV system output is dependent upon the intensity of the sun. The more intense, the greater the output. In this simple system, the electricity generated is used immediately. Therefore, the application must be capable of work on both direct current (DC) and variable power output.
This type of system works well for water pumping or greenhouse ventilation. Specialized solar water pumps are designed for submersible use (in a borehole) or to float on open water. Usually, the ability to store water in a tank means that battery power storage is unnecessary. Each PV cell within a solar module generates a small amount of electricity, so the cells are normally connected together within modules, or panels, to produce a useful amount of power.
Modules are weather-proof and usually have an expected lifetime of twenty to thirty years. A module can be as big as a window or as small as your computer screen. PV modules, on their own, generate direct current (DC) electricity like that from a battery.
For any module with a defined peak power, the actual amount of electricity in kilowatt hours (kWh) that you will get from it depends mainly on how much sunlight it receives. The electrical power output of a PV module is the current that it generates (dependent on its surface area) multiplied by the voltage at which it operates (a function of the active material in the PV cell).
The bigger the module, or the solar array (an array is simply a number of modules connected together), then the more power is generated. A Linear Current Booster can be added which converts excess voltage into amperage in order to keep a pump running in low light conditions. An LCB can boost pump output by 40% or more. For safety considerations, PV arrays are normally earthed (grounded).
Stand alone off-grid solar system with energy storage (direct current)
Where a customer requires the guarantee of a certain power output at any time of the day or night, either some kind of storage device is necessary or the PV system should be combined with another energy supply (like propane, diesel generator).
The latter is known as a hybrid system (see below). Most off-grid systems use batteries to store power during periods of low or no sunlight. Rechargeable batteries are the most effective storage mechanism available. Notwithstanding this, the electrochemical conversion process of the battery utilizes about 20-25% of energy produced, so storage is only about 75% efficient. The storage capacity of batteries is rated in ampere hours, which is the current that it delivers over a set number of hours at a normal voltage at a temperature of 25ºC. Batteries must be protected from the elements.
Most PV systems use lead acid batteries, either sealed or conventional flooded batteries. Nickel cadmium batteries are usually the choice where very high reliability is required. A charge controller is needed to prevent over- and under-charging of the battery. If the peak charging rate of the solar module is more than 1.5% of the battery ampere hour capacity, a charge regulator is typically necessary.
The quality of the regulator is a key factor in the reliability of the overall system, because it will align the depth of discharge with the battery temperature and the rate of discharge. Blocking diodes perform the role of preventing reverse discharge of the battery through the modules at times of low or no sunlight. This prevents damage to the modules and reduces energy losses.
Monitoring current and voltage throughout the system is important for safety and overall system performance. A voltmeter will monitor the performance of the battery, while an ammeter monitors the output of the solar modules. For lighting applications, high quality compact fluorescent lamps are available with good lifetimes; poor quality lamps will blacken quickly and their light output will drop off.
Stand alone off-grid solar system with energy storage (alternating current)
In addition to the previously mentioned equipment, an inverter is required in this case to convert DC into AC electricity. The conversion process will cause some energy losses, depending upon the efficiency of the inverter. Inverters are not chargers.
Some inverters have a built-in charger to help compensate for what the inverter will draw out of the battery when operating an appliance. However, the benefit of AC systems is that AC components (wiring, etc.) are usually cheaper than DC components and AC products like TV's are in more common use.
Stand alone off-grid solar hybrid system
To meet the largest power requirements in an off grid location, the PV system is sometimes best configured with a small diesel generator. This means that the PV system no longer has to be sized to cope with the worst sunlight conditions available during the year.
The diesel generator can provide the back-up power, but its use is minimized during the rest of the year of the PV system, in order to minimize fuel and maintenance costs.
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Customer Service
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Just give our Customer Support Desk a call or send us an e-mail and we will be happy to phone you back.
Tel: 0871 5989 529
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