|
Further
Information & Video Tutorials
|
A Grid Connect Solar System acts
as a mini power station on your roof, feeds power to your home, and
surplus power back to the Grid.
Below we delve into further detail to help you better understand the
technology and it's benefits. Each section is accompanied by a short
Video.
|
-
Watch the Video |
How does a
Grid Connect Solar system work ? A Grid
Connect system consists of solar panels
connected
to the main electricity grid through power inverters.
Solar
cells (photovoltaic cells) are made of thin wafers of silicon
covered by a strong glass coating which protects these cells from the
elements.
When light falls on the panels it knocks electrons about and
electricity is produced. A group of these cells make up a module, which
make up a panel. |
Basically
solar panels absorb light (or photons) and
produce electricity. Sort of like how photosynthesis works in leaves
and trees, they absorb light to make it grow. A solar electricity panel
is similar to this, as the solar panels on the roof of your home absorb
light to produce electricity.
Generating Power
The solar panels create DC
electricity, like electricity in car batteries, which is not used in
households. A small box called an inverter converts the DC electricity
into the AC 240vac for your home to be used straight away. No changes
to your power outlets are required for solar power to be used in your
household.
It doesn't have to be sunny day to be able to
generate power from your panels, they don't work on heat absorption,
they just need light, so even an overcast day will produce electricity.
However, when you aren't generating solar power (i.e. at night) you can
supplement your power with electricity off the main power grid.
Installation
The
normal grid and solar panels are installed as two separate isolated
systems, for safety reasons. So if the main grid goes down then your
power system will automatically shut off, to stop any back feed.
A
non-interruptible solar power system can be created, by connecting a
back-up battery bank, so if there is a blackout your house will
continue
to have power. You can get maintenance free sealed battery backed
systems from Solarshop.
Benefit from
Surplus Power
If you have a surplus of solar
power, then any unused electricity will be fed back into the main
electricity grid. Electricity companies will meter the power they
receive and provide you with credit on your next bill! So in summer you
can store up your excess credits for winter, like a smart squirrel
stores up some juicy nuts.
At night time you can get any
additional power from the electricity grid as per normal and use the
credits that you have stored up. So you can sell your power during the
day, and buy it back at night. |
Watch the Video |
Introduction
to Solar Panels. Solar
panels absorb light (or photons) from the sun and produce
electricity.
Sort of like how photosynthesis works in leaves and trees, they absorb
light to grow. Solar panels on the roof of your home absorb light to
produce electricity. New developments in solar panels have meant that
solar energy is now more efficient, they now create more kilowatts of
power per inch and per panel than before. They harness more energy per
size of panels than ever before. |
Performance
Also
like trees, solar
panels do not like too much heat. In fact the hotter the solar panels
get the less power they are able to generate. Which means heat
tolerance is important aspect to consider, especially in Australia,
where we have long summers and hot days. Advances in solar panel
technology mean we are increasingly able to generate power in extreme
heat and shades. Photovoltaic technology has transformed over the
decades from groups of silicon cells wired together under glass panes,
to make a photovoltaic module (PV Solar panels), to various thin film
materials fixed onto glass, metal and plastics, which use newer
nanotechnology photovoltaic.
Orientation
When installing solar panels
consider the position of your house in relation to the sun. The angle
and position of your panels are crucial to getting the most out of your
solar panels; the optimal position is north facing at a 30 degree
angel. Solar panel experts like those at Solar Shop will help you work
out the best place to put the panels to make the most efficient use of
the sun i.e. if you don't have a sufficient roof slope, they can design
a special mounting frame.
Energy Usage
Having an accurate idea of what
your energy consumption is will help ensure that you get the best
matching sized solar array, battery and inverter for your home. Get an
inverter that matches the largest amount of energy that your panels can
collect. Also look at your old energy bills to see where most of your
energy comes from and at what times. The amount of solar panels,
invertors and batteries needed also depends on the location of the site
and how long the batteries are going to be required to go without
charging.
Solar panels can cost between $6,000 and
$60,000. The cost depends on the technology you choose, the size of
your roof and your energy usage. A system between 1,500 - 2,000 watts
will be able to run an entire energy efficient home. |
-
Watch the Video |
Which
system is right for me ?.
When
selecting a solar system, it is useful to understand what the key
features of
different solar panels are, how much roof space you have, and the
orientation of your home. This will help you in making an informed
decision that will be best suited for your home. |
Mono Crystalline
Panels
made from mono crystalline cells have been widely used for many years.
Although in higher temperatures the power generated is significantly
reduced - a reduction of between 12% and 15% is typical for these
panels. These panels are more efficient than amorphous counterparts and
under standard conditions they have conversion efficiency of sunlight
to electricity that is similar to Poly Crystalline panels. Mono
Crystalline panels are usually used for large scale solar applications.
Poly Crystalline
(Multi Crystalline)
Panels
made from Poly Crystalline cells are the most commonly installed and
generally found to be a cheaper cost. Under standard conditions the
conversion efficiency of sunlight to electricity is 12% - 12.5%, which
means that 1 sq. metre of panels exposed to the full sun will generate
120W - 125W of electricity. Although at higher temperatures the output
of the panels is significantly reduced. These are generally a smaller
size than their mono-crystalline equivalent, and some may argue
slightly less efficient. Poly Crystalline panels are generally used in
small-medium scale solar applications.
Hybrid Sanyo
These
panels utilize a combination of mono-crystalline PV cells, surrounded
by amorphous silicon PV cells. These have excellent sensitivity to
lower light levels and indirect light. These panels have the world's
highest power generation per installation area, for their conversion
efficiency for sunlight to electricity. It can be as high as to 22%.
These Hybrid Sanyo panel's also have a low-temperature manufacturing
process which means fewer materials are used, which minimises the
panel's impact on the environment.
Thin film Amorphous
Amorphous
cells have been used in portable items such as pocket calculators for
many years. Unlike other types of solar panels, their output does not
decrease in elevated temperatures. Their conversion efficiency of
sunlight to electricity is around, half that of polycrystalline or
mono-crystalline panels - they can produce up to 25% more energy on a
hot day than crystalline panels. Consequently amorphous panels need
more roof space to generate the same amount of electricity, so not they
are recommended if there is a limited amount of unobstructed roof
space. Thin film panels use 1/500th of the silicon that crystalline
panels do to manufacture.
|
-
Watch the Video |
What is the Feed
in Tariff, how does it benefit me ?. It
is pretty interesting that a country which receives half
the sunlight
that Australia does - Germany has 50% of the world's solar panels. Last
year 500
times more solar panels were installed in Germany than sunny
Australia due to their generous feed in tariff.
There
is good news though, as Australia
is starting to embrace this tariff.
This will
have a positive impact on our air quality, environment - and wallets.
|
Feed-in Overseas
In
Germany, solar power is widely used among the many residents, largely
because of the Renewable Energies Laws (EEG) which includes Feed-in
Tariff. The Feed-in Tariff is an incentive structure provided by the
government, which encourages the use of renewable energy in place of
conventional energy sources. Electrical companies are obliged to
provide the public with credit in return for the additional energy it
feeds back into the main power grids. It operates on the principal that
the utility company has to pay back the natural energy at a premium
rate (more than the market price). This encourages people to generate
clean power.
During the first 5 years of the Feed-in Tariff
being introduced over 1,500MW of solar panels were installed. Whereas
Australia has 7MW of solar panels which is less than 0.5% of solar
panels that Germany. Over the last 8 years Germany has been using
Feed-in Tariff's to encourage people to utilize renewable energy. When
you produce your own energy in Germany, the power utility is required
to buy back the energy at 7 times the price of electricity.
Feed-on for
Australia
Feed-in
tariffs are being used in around 40 countries in the world. The initial
idea began in the United States but it has had the best results in
Europe. It is believed that Australia is lagging behind because it is
so easy for us to use local fossil fuels and its imagined cheapness.
There
is good news as Australia is starting to embrace this tariff. This will
have a positive impact on our air quality, environment and wallets. The
number of Australian Solar panel installations has grown over 400% in
the last year.
State by State
South Australia was the first state to introduce
the Feed-in tariff at 2:1 in October 2006. In Adelaide electricity is
sold to homes at around 18c per unit but purchases are made back at
a rate of up to 64c per unit. That is three times the amount you pay,
which
means a much lower electricity bills at the end of the day. Also
imagine while on holidays your solar panels will be at home earning you
money from the electrical companies!
VIC is soon to follow with
a premium Feed-in Tariff to be introduced by 2009 of around 60c per
kilowatt
hour. Canberra will also follow with a rate of 3.88:1 on gross
renewable energy produce. This means that for every unit of electricity
sent back the home owner will receive four times the price.
Queensland
and WA are expected to be introducing a similar scheme soon. It is
expected that Queensland will have buy back rate of 44c per kilowatt
hour. With this type of government support there hasn't been a better
time to switch to solar power in Australia.
The Feed-in tariff
differs between states. In states where there is no set Feed-in tariff
scheme, most electrical companies will buy-back the electricity from
your solar panels at a set price. E.g. Energy Australia has a buy-back
tariff in QLD, NSW and the ACT. Horizon Power in WA also has a buy-back
rate. TRUenergy in VIC, SA and NSW will also buy back power at the cost
price.
Click here for a current
summary of Tariffs around Australia. |
FAQ
(Frequently
asked questions)
How does a Grid Connect Solar
System Work?
Solar panels convert sunlight
into DC
electricity. An inverter then converts this into 240-volt AC
electricity. This electricity powers your house. Any excess electricity
is fed out into the main electricity grid and is bought by the power
provider. You can reduce your power bill significantly so that you have
little or nothing to pay. You will also reduce your dwelling’s
greenhouse gas emissions by several tonnes per
year.
What are some of the benefits of Solar Electricity?
Benefits provided by a grid
connect solar system
include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced electricity bills,
ongoing energy savings and an enhanced property
value.
Where should the panels be installed?
Panels are usually mounted on
the roof of your
house, shed or garage. They can be also be mounted on the ground. Solar
panels are located to maximise exposure to the sun and to minimise
shading. A north facing roof at 30° is optimum however orientation
within 45° east or west of north results only in marginal power losses.
Our engineers design solar array frames that can be installed on almost
any roof to maintain optimum tilt and orientation of the solar
panels.
Where should the inverter be installed?
A position out of the weather
is best. The
laundry or outside under the eves are good
positions.
Are there government rebates?
Yes there are a number of
Government rebates to
support the installation of solar panels. We individually assess our
customers to make sure all eligible Government schemes are utilised. We
assist you with the application forms and do all the paperwork for
you.
Does my electricity bill get credited?
Yes it does. Some electricity
retailers pay the
same amount for the electricity your solar system generates as they
charge you for regular electricity. If you are away on holidays your
solar system will continue to produce
electricity.
Who installs the system?
We do. Installation by our
licensed electricians
and certified installers will take about a day. We also show you how to
ensure optimal operation of the system at all
times.
How much maintenance is required?
Very little -- apart from
keeping them clean. The panels are guaranteed for 25 years.
What
happens if the Grid goes down ?
Your
system is designed to automatically shut down too. This is because the
electricity supply authority requires that your system be isolated from
the grid for safety reasons when the grid is dead. However batteries
can be installed so that power is available even when the grid fails.
In the event of a blackout, the batteries seamlessly continue to supply
power to the house without interruption. Solar Shop Australia provides
maintenance free sealed batteries supplied an a steel enclosure as can
be seen below. The cost of a battery backed system is typically around
$4,500 above a grid connect only system.
Can
I grid connect Solar and Wind together ?
Yes
you can. Solar Shop Australia can help you with design and installation
should you desire a hybrid system, taking advantage of energy from both
the wind and sun. Contact Solar Shop Australia for prices and
specifications.
What's
an Inverter ?
The
grid connect inverter converts the DC electricity from your solar
panels into 240V AC electricity. Inverters can be a single
centralised unit or you can have one inverter per solar panel. Both
centralised and decentralised inverters can give expandability to your
grid connect solar system
Are Solar
Panels enviromentally friendly?
Our Kaneka Panels feature next
Generation Thin Film Armorphous technology. They require 1/2 the
embodied energy and 1/500th the Silicon used in most
traditional Solar panels, and minimise the use of known harmful
chemicals in manufacture.
As a bonus they also offer better heat & shade tolerance than
traditional panels.
Which system should I buy?
Most commonly people install
systems between
1,500 – 2,000 Watt. These will run an entire energy efficient
household. Many Solar Shop Australia customers find they are able to
reduce their energy consumption by 30-50% with some simple efficiency
measures. The remainder is then produced by the solar
system.
What
will a system power ?
450
Watt
System |
All
your lights, TV, video, microwave and toaster |
900 Watt
System |
Your lights, TV, video,
microwave, toaster, fridge and
dishwasher (3 uses per week) as well as your computer for two hours a
day. |
1,500
Watt
System |
This
system will provide you with a Green Kitchen. A Green Kitchen includes
running your fridge, microwave, dishwasher (3 uses per week),
oven/grill, stove, toaster and kitchen lights. It will also run the
rest of your lights, your TV, video, stereo and radio.
Alternatively, this system can run all your lights, your TV, video,
microwave, toaster, fridge, dishwasher (3 uses per week), oven/grill,
stereo, radio, washing machine (3 uses per week), vacuum cleaner, iron
and your computer for two hours a day. |
2,250
Watt
System |
Now we're getting into the
"Solar House" category. With
this system you will have a Green Kitchen (fridge, microwave,
dishwasher (4 uses per week), oven/grill, stove, toaster and kitchen
lights. You will also have a Green Laundry (washing machine (4 washes
per week), clothes dryer (1 use per week), iron and laundry lights. The
system will also power all of your lights, your TV, video, vacuum
cleaner, stereo, radio, power tools, clock radios, answering machine,
sewing machine and your computer for four hours a day. |
3,000
Watt
System |
With
this size system you virtually have a Solar House with everything the
2,250W system powers as described above plus the addition of a large
appliance. One example is an air conditioner for 6 hours a day in the
three summer months. |
So
what is the next step?
Just contact
Solar Shop Australia to arrange a time for us to come out to inspect
your premises, or sight your house plans and offer a fixed price
quotation.
|
