There’s a plethora of benefits to hybrid solar that will surprise you. And now that history has proven that solar systems in general have clearly achieved an enduring favorable notoriety, let’s take it up a notch. Hybrid solar systems stand well above the rest, and for good reason.
Here, uncover the hidden benefits, solid reliability and self-sustaining power hybrid solar provides for your household. Then, see those hidden benefits and attain real insight about what constitutes a hybrid solar system. Now, read on to discover how to personally benefit from your own hybrid solar system.
Presenting hybrid solar in a nutshell
If you refer to hybrid solar, you introduce a self-sustaining household solar system that also connects to the power grid. That means, hybrid solar systems provide power from three sources: solar energy, battery bank backup power, and electrical utility grid power. In fact, hybrid solar systems are the most reliable source of electricity possible.
Breaking down all three sources of power, your solar panel array provides power by converting sunlight into free electricity. Then, your battery bank stores excess electricity for nighttime use. Lastly, your local power grid connection provides extra power when needed. Also, your grid connection allows you to sell excess electricity right back to them for a credit.
How do hybrid solar systems function?
To begin, your solar panel array brings in free electricity to be used throughout your household. In the array, solar panels convert sunlight into electricity in the form of DC or Direct Current. This free power directly supplies your battery bank, keeping it charged. Then, through a power inverter, it feeds 120V AC or Alternating Current to your home and electrical grid.
Hybrid solar components REVEALED
As a complete system, hybrid solar components work together to power your household without interruption. Also, they greatly reduce your electric bill. Next, let’s uncover the important details about each component that fit into your system.
Solar panel array – free electricity!
Each solar panel within your solar panel array contains cells that are photo-voltaic. They’re connected in a framework to generate DC electricity. Amazingly, solar panels generate this power from the photons within sunlight.
Back in 1839, Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel first discovered how some materials are able to generate an electrical charge from exposure to sunlight. 100 years later in 1939, Russell Ohl was able to create the solar cell after much experimentation. He patented his final design back in 1941. Nowadays, this is used in modern PV or Photo Voltaic cell-based solar panels.
Solar panel power optimizers EXPLAINED
Solar power optimizers maximize energy harvesting from solar power systems. To achieve this, they individually tune the performance of each panel within your solar panel array. Once installed, power optimizers provide their benefits when the component performance throughout the distributed system varies due to facing different directions or when spotty shading occurs.
This voltage converter connects to each solar module within your solar panel array. In a few words, it converts them into smart modules. They constantly track the MPPT or Maximum Power Point Tracking of each individual solar module increasing energy production throughout your solar system.
When they attach power optimizers to each solar module, installers easily monitor system performance reliably. To elaborate, installers can now track, pinpoint, and resolve issues at any point along a string with surgical precision. This lowers maintenance costs dramatically over the life of your system.
Additionally, solar power optimizers are equipped with industry-leading safety mechanisms. For example, they automatically reduce occasional high DC voltage spikes to a safe level, by design. For a better understanding, a temporarily disconnected power inverter or battery bank sometimes causes high voltage spikes. To correct this, power optimizers provide maximum protection for both your property and you.
Convert DC to 120V AC with an inverter
Nowadays, hybrid solar inverters or multi-mode inverters perform two primary functions. First, they convert DC from your solar panel array and battery bank to 120V AC to supply you household. Additionally, they charge and manage your battery bank charge levels. That prolongs battery life effectively.
Your multi-mode inverter backs up extremely large appliance loads like water pumps, air-conditioners, and electric heaters. Therefore, these inverters do not require separation of essential loads and non-essential loads. As such, they keep it simple.
Hybrid solar inverters also have the ability to export excess solar power to your local electrical grid. That means, sell back that excess electricity generated by your system to your utility company. In other words, your solar system becomes a “source” of power for your city making you money in the process.
Your battery bank stores backup power
To achieve complete electrical independence, your battery bank powers your home at night and during cloudy days. Also, if your power grid goes down, you’ll continue to have household power fed by your battery bank. That saves you money on your utility bill simply by not using that power.
Throughout history, lead-acid deep cycle batteries have been the most common and reliable option for solar system backup power. The reason for that is simple: lead-acid batteries are a proven technology. First, they last well over a decade when kept at room temperature and not discharged often.
Lithium-ion batteries – your best option!
As the heading states, a lithium-ion battery bank is truly your best option available. To explain, it’s an advanced storage device optimized for long lifespan, fast recharge, and high efficiency. Most notably, lithium-ion batteries have become extremely popular for their high efficiency ranging from 92% to 98%.
Lithium-ion battery banks are compact, lightweight and scalable. Additionally, they provide flexible sizing for additional capacity in the future. In other words, add more in the future as your power needs increase. Or, increase your battery bank storage for more peace of mind.
Battery longevity is another great advantage to using lithium-ion battery banks. To explain, they have the ability to sustain a low charge level or a partial charge level for prolonged periods without negative effects. To compare, lead-acid batteries exhibit sulfation when not kept fully charged.
The final advantage to lithium-ion batteries is this: they provide high charge rates, with charge times up to 70% faster than that of lead-acid batteries. As you can see, lithium-ion battery banks are definitely your best option for household backup power.
Smart meters provide your net metering
As a replacement to your standard meter, a smart meter provides you with something called net metering. For an explanation, net metering analyzes and displays your local power grid’s electrical exports and imports to and from your hybrid solar system.
Smart meters manage additional factors too. To explain, they handle both the power generated by your solar system and your household power consumed. When exporting electricity, your meter spins backward. As a result, your electric bill receives applied credits each month.
Uncover the real hybrid solar benefits
Hybrid solar systems ensure continuous household power, regardless of the external factors. That means, you’ll maintain reliable power regardless of the weather and regardless of power outages in your city. As such, peace of mind is always your number-one benefit from this self-sustaining power system.
Knowing the primary benefit of hybrid solar, let’s now uncover the other great benefits for you and your family – your entire household.
Unlimited household power availability
Connecting to your local electrical grid allows you to use all of the power you could ever want or need. If you have a home-based shop for example, use your industrial equipment without issue. And if the summer heat gets too hot, use air conditioning to your heart’s content and stay cool throughout the day. All the while, reduce your electric bill by using electricity from the sunshine at the same time.
hybrid solar provides great financial benefits
Wonderful financial benefits come to you in two parts. To start, financial savings is provided from the free electricity you get from sunshine. In other words, hybrid solar delivers free electricity that powers your home and keeps your battery bank charged. Then, your battery bank provides electricity all night long.
Now check out the income you receive from excess electricity your system generates. Sell that extra power right back to your utility company through the grid. Your smart meter net-metering fully manages that for you – just watch the credits come in every month!
Amazing financial benefits will offset your upfront hybrid solar system costs. Also, uncover various tax credits that are available from the US Government. Then, there may be tax credits and subsidies available from your state. Just perform some online research from your state government website to learn more.
Find excellent hybrid solar installers
To begin, never attempt to install your own solar system unless you’re properly trained, experienced, and correctly certified. In other words, hybrid solar installation is not a DIY project. In fact, solar component installation and wiring requires an electrician and a construction contractor to do it right.
Installing a complete hybrid solar system is like installing a circuit breaker unit along with other major electrical systems. One primary component of a solar system is the solar power inverter, which powers your entire home. That means, safety and reliability is no different between the two.
The ability to perform construction is also necessary to install a solar system. Since solar panel arrays are typically secured on top of existing structures, the physical connections must be strong and reliable. Additionally, structures are sometimes built from the ground up to carry the load of your solar panel arrays sufficiently. Therefore, if you’re not familiar with construction, do not attempt solar installation.
To uncover how to choose a hybrid solar installer near you, take a look at this informative article:
SOLAR INSTALLERS NEAR ME: How to pick a solar installer to do it right.
