Residential Systems | Wilster Energy & Communications

RESIDENTIAL

SOLUTIONS

A Solar Home System typically consists of Solar photovoltaic (PV) Panels, inverter(s) and batteries, as well as mounting structure for the panels and electrical accessories required for a safe and regulatory compliant installation. Such a system will make a household largely independent from the national grid, and will also provide reserve power if the grid is unavailable during load shedding and unforeseen power outages. We distinguish between grid-tied Solar systems with or without battery backup and island systems.

GRID-TIED SOLAR SYSTEM

WITHOUT BATTERY

The sole purpose of a grid-tied Solar system is to reduce the monthly electricity bill, it does not provide backup power if the grid is unavailable.

If there is a shortfall of production, the national grid will supplement in order to serve the loads. If there is an overproduction, it will be fed back into the grid if possible and permitted, otherwise overproduction can be suppressed by an energy meter in order not to violate regulations. As the terminology ‘grid-tied’ suggests, it is reliant on the grid as a transport mechanism for the power produced.

THIS SYSTEM CONSISTS OF:

grid-tie inverter

PV panels

(photovoltaic)

These components will produce power and feed them to the house using the national grid.

DECIDING FACTORS

ADVANTAGES :

Cost effective entry solution with an immediate return on investment seen in the monthly electricity bill.
Average payback period is plus/minus 5 years.

DISADVANTAGES :

No power if grid fails,
own production limited to daytime usage (unless feedback into the grid is permitted)

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GRID-TIED SOLAR SYSTEM

WITH BATTERY

The purpose of such a Solar system is to reduce the monthly electricity bill even more, as now your own power can also be used at night-time, and to avoid losses and inconvenience during load shedding and other power outages.

A grid-tied Solar system with battery backup will consist of a grid-tie inverter and PV panels, with the addition of a battery inverter and a battery bank. The latter components will be in stand-by mode until such time that they are required to spring into action. Their action will be required at night when the sun does not shine, during the day to supplement any shortfall of production and of course to provide backup power if the grid fails. If the battery bank is large enough, this option can become an off-grid system.

THIS SYSTEM CONSISTS OF:

PV panels

(photovoltaic)

grid-tie inverter

battery inverter

battery bank

DECIDING FACTORS

ADVANTAGES :

household is self-sufficient for power needs.
Almost non-existent electricity bill
know your appliances are safe from power surges.
Long battery lifetime, as batteries only cycle when needed.

DISADVANTAGES :

requires higher capital outlay, average payback period is 8 – 10 years.

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ISLAND SYSTEM

The purpose of an Island system (also called DC Hybrid System) is to reduce the monthly electricity bill and to avoid losses and inconvenience during load shedding and other power outages, similar to the purpose of a Grid-tied Solar System with battery.

The hybrid inverter will channel the power produced by the PV panels through the batteries to the DB Board in the house. The island system does not tie to the grid, but will use the grid to top up the batteries in case there is a shortfall of power in the batteries.

THIS SYSTEM CONSISTS OF:

PV panels

(photovoltaic)

hybrid inverter

batteries

DECIDING FACTORS

ADVANTAGES :

household is self-sufficient for power needs.
Almost non-existent electricity bill
Prevents damage due to power surge
Lower capital outlay than Grid-tied with battery, average payback period is 6 – 8 years

DISADVANTAGES :

Shorter battery lifetime, as they cycle throughout the day; batteries are needed for electricity flow as the island system cannot use the grid as transport mechanism.
User experience not as smooth as Grid-tied with battery Solution

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POWER BACKUP

SYSTEM

The purpose of such a system is to provide reserve power in case the grid is unavailable.

The Power backup systems do not make use of Solar panels. The purpose of this system is to provide reserve power to use when the grid is unavailable. Batteries will recharge from grid once it becomes available again. It is possible to isolate a circuit with essential loads only to be served by the backup system, or to back up the entire household.

THIS SYSTEM CONSISTS OF:

inverter

batteries

DECIDING FACTORS

ADVANTAGES :

Backup power if grid is unavailable
Prevents damage due to power surge
No noise, no fumes, no petrol needed for action.
Can be expanded to a full Solar System.

DISADVANTAGES :

Return on investment cannot be measured

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All our systems are modular and can be expanded as budget allows. We are a one stop shop and also supply peripheral equipment, such as roof mounting structure and electrical accessories for all our systems.

Payback period depends largely on battery size and type chosen

Financing through a bond is possible and we can assist with the application

Grid tied system with battery backup 1-1

PV installation_raised panels flat roof.