Daylight Savings Is Now Year Round

Why solar is right for you:

Electricity Bill Savings

By reducing your reliance on the grid, you can save money on your power bill.  By keeping your energy consumption the same, but maximising your solar usage during day light hours, and or, using your battery during peak grid pricing periods.

Provides Clean, Renewable Energy

Solar power is a 100% clean, renewable energy source.  It reduces reliance on oil, coal and natural gas for transport and electricity consumption.   These fossil fuels produce harmful emissions that affect the quality of air, water and soil, and are responsible for climate change.  In contrast, solar energy produces no pollution.  The sun’s abundant power offers an unlimited source of energy that does not strip the landscape or harm the ozone layer.  Residential solar energy systems represent an investment in the future of the planet, conserving non-renewable energy resources and protecting the environment.

Gives Greater Freedom and Control Over Electricity

Most of us have felt the inconvenience of a power outage in recent years.   Our electricity grid is aging, it was not built for today’s vastly increased population and extreme weather events.

Generating power exactly where you need it, and attaching a battery to store any excess electricity, significantly decreases or eliminates your exposure when the grid goes down.

Power rates have risen significantly over the last 20-30 years, by generating your own power, you take back control from traditional power companies.


Grid-Tied System

Describes a solar system that is connected to the utility power grid, and does not include a battery.

Key Benefits
Cheapest Option

A grid connected system will help you save money, by utilising the solar energy while the sun is shining.  Grid-tied solar systems are generally cheaper and simpler to install, compared with Off-Grid Systems or systems with a battery.

At times you may produce excess solar energy than you use, this will be feed back to the grid and your electricity provider may pay you for this electricity.

The Utility Grid is a Virtual Battery

When you need more power than your solar panels have generated or when you need power at night or early mornings you have full unlimited access to the national power grid.

A Grid-Tied System works best for people who are home during the day, or who have significant energy needs during the day e.g. pool, underfloor heating etc. The solar energy is not stored, it must be used as it is produced, or it will be feed back to the grid.

Key Equipment Needed
  • Photovoltaic Panels
  • Inverter
  • Meter

Off-Grid

Describes a solar system that is not connected to the utility power grid. There are benefits of going Off-Grid:

1. Avoiding Power Outages

You generate your own electricity where you need it – your place. There is no risk of snow or winds taking down power lines, and no exposure to the vagaries of an aging power network.

AA Solar will produce an alternative energy system custom designed for your specific power needs, removing the risk of power outages.

2. Installing an Off-Grid solar system on your home makes it self-sufficient in terms of energy gathering.

By going Off-Grid, you will no longer get a power bill – period.

3. Providing an Alternative Power Source for Rural Areas

Often grid power supply is just not available or insufficient to meet your needs. Or the cost to have one installed can be eye watering, for the pleasure of paying a power bill for the rest of your life! If you live in a rural area, an Off-Grid option may well be the best option both with respect to: cost, surety of supply, and to avoid power bills.

The 5 Main Parts Of An Off-Grid System

  • Battery Inverter/charger or Multi-mode Inverter
  • Solar inverter (AC) or Solar charge controllers (DC)
  • Battery bank
  • Solar panels
  • Backup Generator

HYBRID SOLAR SYSTEM:

Hybrid solar systems combine the best from Grid-Tied and Off-Grid solar systems. These systems can also be described as Grid-Tied solar with battery storage.

A graph showing how solar works & how it effects the power grid

If you own a Grid-Tied solar system and drive a vehicle that runs on electricity, you already kind of have a hybrid setup. The electrical vehicle is really just a battery with wheels.

Advantages of Hybrid Solar Systems
1. Less expensive than off-grid solar systems

Because you can draw on Grid-Power, when needed, you don’t need a backup generator, and the capacity of your battery bank can be downsized. Off-peak electricity from the utility company is cheaper and cleaner than diesel.

2. Smart solar holds a lot of promise

New inverters let homeowners take advantage of changes in the utility electricity rates throughout the day. That is using solar energy from your battery when rates are highest e.g. dinner time, and refill your battery with cheaper night time rates, ready for morning use.

The concept will become increasingly important as we transition towards the smart grid in the coming years. Including being able to sell back at a premium your solar power during times of peak demand or during energy shortages.


Equipment for Hybrid Solar Systems

Typical Hybrid solar systems are based on the following additional components:

  • Charge Controller
  • Battery Bank
  • DC Disconnect (additional)
  • Battery-Based Grid-Tie Inverter
  • Power Meter

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