Solar Grid- tied System
Grid-Tied Systems are connected to the mains power supply just like a regular home. This means that mains power can still be used any time your solar panels generate less electricity than is needed, e.g. at night. In many countries, solar homes can also capitalize on times when the panels generate more electricity than is needed by selling the surplus back to the electricity company -usually at a nice profit.
Grid-connected solar energy systems allow consumers to use solar energy during the day. When the sun isn’t shining, the system allows them to draw power straight from the grid. Peak loads can also be drawn from grid electricity, which means that solar cells don’t necessarily need to be sized for demand, especially if limited space is an issue, but should be sized for eliminating as much of the base load of electricity bill as possible. Any surplus power can be exported back to the grid in a form of credit called “net metering”. |
Equipment for Grid-Tied Solar Systems
Grid-Tie Inverter (GTI What is the job of a solar inverter? They regulate the voltage and current received from your solar panels. Direct current (DC) from your solar panels is converted into alternating current (AC), which is the type of current that is utilized by the majority of electrical appliances. In addition to this, grid-tie inverters, also known as grid-interactive or synchronous inverters, synchronize the phase and frequency of the current to fit the utility grid (nominally 60Hz). The output voltage is also adjusted slightly higher than the grid voltage in order for excess electricity to flow outwards to the grid. Power Meter Most homeowners will need to replace their current power meter with one that is compatible with net metering. This device, often called a net meter or a two-way meter, is capable of measuring power going in both directions, from the grid to your house and vice versa. |
Advantags of Grid-Tied Systems
Batteries, and other stand-alone equipment, are required for a fully functional off-grid solar system and add to costs as well as maintenance. Grid-tied solar systems are therefore generally cheaper and simpler to install. Your solar panels will often generate more electricity than what you are capable of consuming. With net metering, homeowners can put this excess electricity onto the utility grid instead of storing it themselves with batteries. Net metering (or feed-in tariff schemes in some countries) play an important role in how solar power is incentivized. Without it, residential solar systems would be much less feasible from a financial point of view.
The electric power grid is in many ways also a battery, without the need for maintenance or replacements, and with much better efficiency rates. In other words, more electricity (and more money) goes to waste with conventional battery systems. |
Additional perks of being grid-tied include access to backup power from the utility grid (in case your solar system stop generating electricity for one reason or another). At the same time you help to mitigate the utility company`s peak load. As a result, the efficiency of our electrical system as a whole goes up.
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