Grid Connect Solar - How It Works
Grid Connect solar electricity systems allow the export of excess electricity during the day whilst still being able to buy electricity from the grid during times of inadequate solar production (ie on cloudy days or at night).Once installed they are simple to run and require no maintenance.
If you are not home during the day, or not using all of the power from your solar panels, the excess power you make feeds into the electricity grid, registering as “exported” energy on your meter. With the right size system you could receive an electricity bill in credit and even make money! If you require more power during the day than your solar panels can supply, your system will automatically suppliment your electricity requirements by buying power from the grid as per usual.
To learn how to get the most out of your grid connect solar power system, click here.
Grid Connect - Main Components
1. Solar Panels |
2. Grid Interactive Inverter |
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Solar panels convert energy from the sun into electricity. |
An inverter is the heart of a solar power system. It takes the DC electricity (produced by the solar panels), and converts it to a more common AC form (like the power that your use in the home). |
See EnviroGroup's range of Solar Panels |
See EnviroGroup's range of quality inverters |
Positioning
Ideally solar power works best when positioned on a roof area facing a northerly direction, or a flat roof where we can tilt the panels up to face north. But we can also install your system on a west facing roof if that is all you have available, with a small amount of energy loss.
How much energy will I produce?
In Melbourne a Solar Power system will produce approximately 3.6 kWh of electricity, per kW of Solar Panels installed. These figures are averaged across the year, as you will obviously produce more energy in summer, and less in winter. This means if you install: 8 x 180Watt Solar panels = 1440Watts of installed Solar Panels (1.44 kW) So you will produce: 1.44 x 3.6 = 5.2 kWh per day
Metering
To enable you to access the Premium Feed-in Tariff you need to be able to meter how much energy goes in your house, and how much goes out (is exported). Most existing meters cannot do this. Instead we when you purchase a Solar Power System through EnviroGroup, we will send off the paperwork on your behalf to get a new bi-directional meter installed in your home.
Important metering info
Click here for more Frequently Asked Questions
Stand Alone Solar - for off-grid areas
The other main type of solar power system is what's called a RAPS (Remote Area Power System) or Stand Alone system. A stand alone solar system uses solar 
panels to charge large batteries which are then used to power the building during non-daylight hours. Stand alone systems are normally only suitable for non-grid connected areas however, in some situations a battery backup system is essential in case of power outage. Ask our solar experts about battery backup if your home or building requires it. Read more about stand alone systems
