How a Hybrid Solar System Works

When it comes to reducing your energy bills and staying connected to the grid, a hybrid solar system Nerang is a great option. It allows you to store your excess power in a battery and draw it from the grid at times of peak energy use like summer months.

This means you have more flexibility to manage time-of-use electricity rates to get the most solar savings on your electric bill. It also reduces your dependence on net metering policies that often change from utility to utility.

Solar Panels

When a solar system is set up, the sun’s energy is absorbed by the panels, and it then goes through an inverter to turn into usable electricity. From there, it can either be fed into your home, sold back to the utility company through net metering or stored in a battery.

A hybrid solar system is ideal for people who want to remain connected to the grid but also have a backup source of power in case of any problems with their solar panels. This can be useful for both homes and businesses, but it is especially important for residential properties where the power needs vary widely throughout the day.

Hybrid solar panels are typically made from polycrystalline silicon-based solar cells, which are highly efficient and a popular choice for residential applications. Amorphous silicon-based solar panels are also available but are less efficient than their crystalline counterparts.

Inverters

Inverters convert direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). They’re used in conjunction with solar panels to turn the energy collected from the sun into electricity for your home.

They can also supply grid services, such as automatic generation control. This means that they respond to signals from the utility to change their power output when the system’s supply and demand fluctuate.

Modern hybrid inverters often come with a battery system to form a complete unit, called a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). They can be installed alongside existing solar panels.

In addition to providing backup power, battery systems help maximise the use of solar radiation by storing energy on sunny days and using it when there is no sunshine. This can increase self-sufficiency and improve energy efficiency.

Batteries

Batteries are a critical component of any hybrid solar system. They store excess solar power and can provide backup electricity during a system blackout or during inclement weather.

Battery systems can be installed in three different ways: AC coupled (such as the Tesla Powerwall 2), DC coupled, or an all-in-one hybrid battery energy storage system. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common, and offer high power density, long life, and superior efficiency.

The main drawback to batteries is their high cost. However, many states offer rebates for renewable energy projects including battery storage.

If you want to reduce your reliance on utility power during peak pricing, battery storage can make sense. This is because you can store extra panel production in your battery bank and pull from the grid only when prices are low at off-peak times.

Grid-Tied

Solar power systems that are grid-tied use the electricity produced by your solar panels to feed back into the local utility. This is done through a process called net metering, which differs from utility to utility.

Grid-tied systems are the most common type of solar system installed on residential homes and small businesses. They do not require battery storage and can be more cost effective than other types of solar energy systems.

However, they do not provide a backup source of power during outages. If you live in an area where a lot of outages are common, you should consider a hybrid solar system with battery backup.

Hybrid solar systems can be an economical way to reduce your electric bill and gain the benefits of a grid-tied system while adding extra battery storage as a backup. They also allow you to benefit from feeding excess energy into the grid through net metering, a benefit not available with an off-grid system.