With the CIVIC Hybrid, Grid Tie & Battery Back-up systems we got you sorted. CIVIC provide complete solar energy systems.
HYBRID
LOAD SHEDDING WON’T EFFECT YOU AGAIN.
HYBRID SYSTEMS Operating totally off the grid requires a large capacity battery array capable of powering the property during periods of low irradiance in winter and an inverter capable of supplying the maximum load ever required at one time.
This requires a significant investment in PV modules, inverters and especially batteries which cannot normally be justified if there is a good quality grid connection available at the property. An off-grid system is well suited to rural areas with little or no grid connection but is unlikely to be a viable solution in a well-connected urban area. Should however fixed connection charges for electricity become more common and higher then disconnecting from the grid may become a more viable option in the future.
GRID-TIE
DO YOU USE A LOT OF ENERGY?
A pure grid-tied system with no storage or load management for a user with fixed rate power charges is a viable option for South Africa but the system will need to be significantly under sized to minimize the wasted energy generation as typically no surplus power can be exported.
Essentially the PV system has to be sized to generate only sufficient power for the base load during the day, i.e. the fridge, freezer, pool pump and other permanently on devices. The low investment cost of a small PV system with a high self-consumption rate should make them quite attractive especially for households with family at home during the day.
BATTERY BACK-UP
STORE YOUR ELECTRICITY.
If frequent load shedding continues each winter then there will be continued demand for grid-backup systems that can operate with no grid for prolonged periods of time.
Adding a battery inverter or a hybrid inverter along with a battery makes it possible to combine the energy from the PV system with that from the stored battery to power at least the essential loads in the property.
The size of the battery required depends on the rating of the essential loads to be driven from it at times of no solar power being available.
