System Types
Hybrid Systems (Combination Wind and Solar Electric Systems)
Hybrid Solar/WInd Energy system, including the basic components
Small hybrid electric systems that combine both wind and solar technologies offer several advantages over either single system.
In much of the United States, wind speeds are low in the summer when the sun shines brightest and longest. The wind is strong in the winter when less sunlight is available. Because the peak operating times for wind and solar systems occur at different times of the day and year, hybrid systems are more likely to produce power when you need it.
Hybrid systems have traditionally been stand-alone systemshowever, they can also be equally effective in On-Grid and On-Grid with battery backup systems.
System costs can be reduced by using both of these technologies.
How it works:
1) Sunlight hits the solar module then converts the light into electricity.
AND/OR
2) Wind strikes the turbine blades, turning the generator and turning this energy into electricity.
3) This electricity travels through wires to the charge controller for On-Grid battery backup or Off-Grid systems.
OR
4) This electricity travels through wires to the grid-tied inverter.
Much of this information was retrieved from the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Program
In much of the United States, wind speeds are low in the summer when the sun shines brightest and longest. The wind is strong in the winter when less sunlight is available. Because the peak operating times for wind and solar systems occur at different times of the day and year, hybrid systems are more likely to produce power when you need it.
Hybrid systems have traditionally been stand-alone systemshowever, they can also be equally effective in On-Grid and On-Grid with battery backup systems.
System costs can be reduced by using both of these technologies.
How it works:
1) Sunlight hits the solar module then converts the light into electricity.
AND/OR
2) Wind strikes the turbine blades, turning the generator and turning this energy into electricity.
3) This electricity travels through wires to the charge controller for On-Grid battery backup or Off-Grid systems.
OR
4) This electricity travels through wires to the grid-tied inverter.
Much of this information was retrieved from the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Program
Grid-Tied Solar and Wind Electric Systems
On-Grid Solar Electric System with basic components
If your home or business is already connected to the grid:
If your home is connected to the local utility power lines (as most are) or you are within reasonable range of power lines, this type of system is the most logical choice. To take advantage of net metering and incentives, a grid-tied system is the way to go.
All "grid-tied" means is that your system is interconnected with the local utility:
When your wind or solar energy system is not producing electricity (during the evenings, extremely cloudy days or when the wind isn’t blowing) you still have electricity which is supplied from the utility, (aka the "grid"). For safety and electrical load reasons, when the utility grid is down - so is your renewable energy system.
This means that you would not be protected from blackouts - we do supply systems that do protect you from blackouts or other potential power loss.
If your home is connected to the local utility power lines (as most are) or you are within reasonable range of power lines, this type of system is the most logical choice. To take advantage of net metering and incentives, a grid-tied system is the way to go.
All "grid-tied" means is that your system is interconnected with the local utility:
When your wind or solar energy system is not producing electricity (during the evenings, extremely cloudy days or when the wind isn’t blowing) you still have electricity which is supplied from the utility, (aka the "grid"). For safety and electrical load reasons, when the utility grid is down - so is your renewable energy system.
This means that you would not be protected from blackouts - we do supply systems that do protect you from blackouts or other potential power loss.
How it works:
1) Sunlight hits the solar module then converts the light into electricity.
OR
2) Wind strikes the turbine blades, turning the generator and turning this energy into electricity.
3) This electricity travels through wires to the inverter, which takes the electricity from the solar module or wind generator (DC electricity) and converts it into the electricity your home needs to run your appliances, lighting, etc. (AC electricity)
4) This AC electricity then travels to your standard utility breaker box, and is supplied to your net meter which
then feeds the electricity both to your home and to the electrical utility grid.
OR
2) Wind strikes the turbine blades, turning the generator and turning this energy into electricity.
3) This electricity travels through wires to the inverter, which takes the electricity from the solar module or wind generator (DC electricity) and converts it into the electricity your home needs to run your appliances, lighting, etc. (AC electricity)
4) This AC electricity then travels to your standard utility breaker box, and is supplied to your net meter which
then feeds the electricity both to your home and to the electrical utility grid.
Off-Grid (Stand Alone) Wind and Solar Electric Systems
This type of system is for those who truly want energy independence.
This type of system runs autonomously:
It is completely independent of the electric utility grid. It is also very valuable in remote areas where there are no existing power lines. For this reason, off-grid systems are very popular in mountain and forest areas, for cabins or homes that are far away from the electrical grid. It has all of the features and benefits of a standard grid-tied system, but with the additional benefit of uninterruptible power.
This system can save tens of thousands of dollars:
Of money that would be spent to extend power lines to some remote areas (The going rate for wiring a building that's not connected to the utility grid is around $50,000 per half-mile!).
This system is fully self-sustaining:
The battery backup will ensure that you have electricity for critical loads when the sun is down or blocked by clouds, or when the wind isn’t blowing. When the optional backup generator is added, you are truly protected against nearly any catastrophic situation.There is also an optional DC hookup, which means you can use DC appliance and power devices.
This type of system runs autonomously:
It is completely independent of the electric utility grid. It is also very valuable in remote areas where there are no existing power lines. For this reason, off-grid systems are very popular in mountain and forest areas, for cabins or homes that are far away from the electrical grid. It has all of the features and benefits of a standard grid-tied system, but with the additional benefit of uninterruptible power.
This system can save tens of thousands of dollars:
Of money that would be spent to extend power lines to some remote areas (The going rate for wiring a building that's not connected to the utility grid is around $50,000 per half-mile!).
This system is fully self-sustaining:
The battery backup will ensure that you have electricity for critical loads when the sun is down or blocked by clouds, or when the wind isn’t blowing. When the optional backup generator is added, you are truly protected against nearly any catastrophic situation.There is also an optional DC hookup, which means you can use DC appliance and power devices.
How it works:
1) Sunlight hits the solar module then converts the light into electricity.
OR
2) Wind strikes the turbine blades, turning the generator and turning this energy into electricity
3) This electricity travels through wires to the charge controller ,which senses battery voltage and regulates battery charging - the electricity is then used to keep the batteries fully charged to ensure uninterruptible power.
4) The remaining electricity is then transferred to the inverter and/or the load controller (optional, if you want/need DC electricity).
4a) The inverter takes the electricity from the solar module (DC electricity) and converts it into the electricity your home needs to run your appliances, lighting, etc. (AC electricity).
4b) The load controller is used for any DC power device you may want to run, and decreases the energy losses experienced when the inverter converts the DC to AC. Nearly all power devices and common appliances use AC electricity. However, there are DC power devices available.
5) The AC electricity then travels to a standard AC service panel (breaker box), and is supplied directly to your business.
OR
6) The DC electricity (optional) then travels to a standard DC service panel (breaker box), and is supplied to directly to the DC loads in your home/business.
OR
2) Wind strikes the turbine blades, turning the generator and turning this energy into electricity
3) This electricity travels through wires to the charge controller ,which senses battery voltage and regulates battery charging - the electricity is then used to keep the batteries fully charged to ensure uninterruptible power.
4) The remaining electricity is then transferred to the inverter and/or the load controller (optional, if you want/need DC electricity).
4a) The inverter takes the electricity from the solar module (DC electricity) and converts it into the electricity your home needs to run your appliances, lighting, etc. (AC electricity).
4b) The load controller is used for any DC power device you may want to run, and decreases the energy losses experienced when the inverter converts the DC to AC. Nearly all power devices and common appliances use AC electricity. However, there are DC power devices available.
5) The AC electricity then travels to a standard AC service panel (breaker box), and is supplied directly to your business.
OR
6) The DC electricity (optional) then travels to a standard DC service panel (breaker box), and is supplied to directly to the DC loads in your home/business.
Grid-Tied Solar and Wind Electric Systems with Battery Backup
This type of system is for those who want protection from blackouts and other power loss but still want to be connected to the grid.
This system has all of the features and benefits of a standard grid-tied system:
But with the additional benefit of uninterruptible power. With this system, you can still take advantage of the net metering, incentives (link to incentives),and grid connection benefits.
With the battery backup, you are still connected to the grid as with the standard grid-tied system:
But when the utility grid is down - the battery backup kicks in and delivers power to critical appliances and electrical devices (refrigerator, radio, electric heater, computers, etc.) when you need it most.
This means that you are protected by blackouts or any other power loss:
This can provide peace of mind in a time of uncertainty of our existing electricity infrastructure. However, the battery backup option adds about 20% to the cost of the system
How it works:
1) Sunlight hits the solar module then converts the light into electricity. OR
2)Wind strikes the turbine blades, turning the generator and turning this energy into electricity.
3) This electricity travels through wires to thecharge controller, which senses battery voltage and regulates battery charging - the electricity is then used to keep the batteries fully charged to ensure uninterruptible power
4) The remaining electricity is then transferred to the inverter, which takes the electricity from the solar module or wind generator (DC electricity) and converts it into the electricity your home needs to run your appliances, lighting, etc. (AC electricity)
5) This AC electricity then travels to your standard utility breaker box, and is supplied to your utility net meter, which then feeds the electricity both to your home and to the electrical utility grid.
6) In the event of an emergency (blackout or power loss), your system automatically begins to draw power from the backup batteries and converts it into electricity. The Backed-Up AC Service Panel feeds into the appliances and other electrical needs you deem necessary in the event of power loss.
This system has all of the features and benefits of a standard grid-tied system:
But with the additional benefit of uninterruptible power. With this system, you can still take advantage of the net metering, incentives (link to incentives),and grid connection benefits.
With the battery backup, you are still connected to the grid as with the standard grid-tied system:
But when the utility grid is down - the battery backup kicks in and delivers power to critical appliances and electrical devices (refrigerator, radio, electric heater, computers, etc.) when you need it most.
This means that you are protected by blackouts or any other power loss:
This can provide peace of mind in a time of uncertainty of our existing electricity infrastructure. However, the battery backup option adds about 20% to the cost of the system
How it works:
1) Sunlight hits the solar module then converts the light into electricity. OR
2)Wind strikes the turbine blades, turning the generator and turning this energy into electricity.
3) This electricity travels through wires to thecharge controller, which senses battery voltage and regulates battery charging - the electricity is then used to keep the batteries fully charged to ensure uninterruptible power
4) The remaining electricity is then transferred to the inverter, which takes the electricity from the solar module or wind generator (DC electricity) and converts it into the electricity your home needs to run your appliances, lighting, etc. (AC electricity)
5) This AC electricity then travels to your standard utility breaker box, and is supplied to your utility net meter, which then feeds the electricity both to your home and to the electrical utility grid.
6) In the event of an emergency (blackout or power loss), your system automatically begins to draw power from the backup batteries and converts it into electricity. The Backed-Up AC Service Panel feeds into the appliances and other electrical needs you deem necessary in the event of power loss.
