System Definitions
First, we will get some basics out of the way.
These systems utilize photovoltaic power (PV), which is energy produced by
converting the sun’s rays into electricity. - Key Power Services specializes in
PV power only, not thermal power (solar domestic hot water and pool heating).
A list of solar hot water/pool heating dealers in our area is included, please
contact them directly. - Back to PV power… PV power is produced by
modules (panels) that are mounted on a structure facing the sun. The direct
current electricity (DC) they produce is routed into the home, where it is
inverted to alternating current (AC - house current) for use in the home.
Roof-mounted Sanyo photovoltaic panels
A GTS (Grid-Tie System) means that electricity produced by the photovoltaic
panels on the structure is routed into your house, directly into your main
breaker panel, and is available to supply power to loads in the house, as well as
flow back through the utility meter to the utility company if there is excess
power. The utility company pays you for this excess power. When there is a
utility company outage, a pure GTS also shuts down since we do not want to
send electricity back into de-energized lines and possibly harm a linesman
working on a line problem.
An SBS (Solar Backup System) often referred to as a ‘Grid-tie with Backup’
system, continues to operate when the utility goes down, as it has two separate
circuits. The circuit connected to your main breaker panel still goes down with
the utility outage. But the second circuit continues to operate, converting energy
that is stored in batteries to house current, and allowing certain pre-selected
house circuits to continue running (usually a refrigerator, lights, etc.)
An OGS (Off-Grid System) has no connection to the utility company. All
power that the house requires must be supplied from batteries that store the
energy from the photovoltaic panels and is usually supplemented with a
generator. These types of systems are usually installed where there is no utility
company available, and are not eligible for the Florida Rebate Program. As
such, these are not included in this discussion, but an OGS is available from
Key Power.
Okay, so why did I first mention the SBS product before the GTS product, but
then define the two in the reverse order? Because the basis for both products is
the grid-tie connection to the utility, and without that connection, the State will
not provide the rebate. But for those of us in likely power outage areas, the
SBS is an interesting, quiet and renewable approach to providing backup
capability, while also reaping the financial benefits of the GTS, bringing greater
return value to the proposition. The State doesn’t subsidize a fossil fuel
generator.
In all of these discussions, please keep in mind that there are a great variety of
options available, and literally every requirement can be satisfied – we can build
any system size needed – often by combining different technologies and
approaches.
First let’s dispel any unreasonable expectations for the SBS line of products,
specifically the more modest systems. The energy available to support loads in
the house during backup mode is stored in batteries. You are not going to
backup the whole house (at least not without significant expense) if you have
central a/c units, although it certainly can be done. These units present a
tremendous load to start, and gobble energy. (If total home backup is what you
are looking for, the most cost effective approach, in terms of lowest capital
outlay, is to purchase a generator large enough to supply all your needs.) What
you can do is support smaller loads, depending on the SBS size, for a
reasonable amount of time, and yes, even air conditioning may be possible.
What are ‘smaller loads’? For the smallest SBS, you can expect to run your
refrigerator, bathroom, kitchen and some other lights, run a microwave and the
tv/cable/satellite system to stay in touch with the world overnight. The beauty is
the next day when the sun comes up, the batteries are re-charged, so this
process can continue indefinitely. If the sun doesn’t come out for a couple of
days, then the batteries can run out, so an additional step is to add a small
generator to recharge the batteries if necessary, or upsize the SBS to begin with
– it all depends on your budget and personal needs.
So what happens normally, when we are not in backup mode? This is the great
part. After making sure the batteries are full, the PV power is now fed into the
house just as a pure GTS would do. So now you are using the PV power to
supplement whatever power the house is using, and if you are producing more
than you need, it is sold to the utility company. At any given moment, you may
be buying less or no electricity from the utility, buying it all from the utility if
the sun is not shining, or actually selling it back to them.
And the backup system is always ready to provide power, uninterrupted,
without any action on your part, 24 x 7.
A Gridpoint SBS appliance. An Outback SBS appliance.
Contain batteries and all electrical conversion equipment.
‘Hey, what about the a/c you mentioned with the smaller systems?’ We utilize
portable a/c units, which present a low load and are plug-connected to a
receptacle. A 9,000 btu portable unit (on wheels) is the size of a portable
dehumidifier, and stores easily in a closet. You can put it anywhere you need it,
typically at night in the bedroom, and then roll it into the kitchen/living area
during the day. The units are high quality, relatively quiet appliances – the
perfect answer for energy efficiency in a backup situation.
If backup isn’t a concern, or you already have a backup system in place, then
the GTS products shine brighter. They are less complex since they have no
batteries, and therefore have no battery replacement costs down the road. Their
initial cost is lower, and they may reduce your utility bill to a somewhat larger
degree than an SBS since no power is used to charge the batteries.
These systems utilize photovoltaic power (PV), which is energy produced by
converting the sun’s rays into electricity. - Key Power Services specializes in
PV power only, not thermal power (solar domestic hot water and pool heating).
A list of solar hot water/pool heating dealers in our area is included, please
contact them directly. - Back to PV power… PV power is produced by
modules (panels) that are mounted on a structure facing the sun. The direct
current electricity (DC) they produce is routed into the home, where it is
inverted to alternating current (AC - house current) for use in the home.
Roof-mounted Sanyo photovoltaic panels
A GTS (Grid-Tie System) means that electricity produced by the photovoltaic
panels on the structure is routed into your house, directly into your main
breaker panel, and is available to supply power to loads in the house, as well as
flow back through the utility meter to the utility company if there is excess
power. The utility company pays you for this excess power. When there is a
utility company outage, a pure GTS also shuts down since we do not want to
send electricity back into de-energized lines and possibly harm a linesman
working on a line problem.
An SBS (Solar Backup System) often referred to as a ‘Grid-tie with Backup’
system, continues to operate when the utility goes down, as it has two separate
circuits. The circuit connected to your main breaker panel still goes down with
the utility outage. But the second circuit continues to operate, converting energy
that is stored in batteries to house current, and allowing certain pre-selected
house circuits to continue running (usually a refrigerator, lights, etc.)
An OGS (Off-Grid System) has no connection to the utility company. All
power that the house requires must be supplied from batteries that store the
energy from the photovoltaic panels and is usually supplemented with a
generator. These types of systems are usually installed where there is no utility
company available, and are not eligible for the Florida Rebate Program. As
such, these are not included in this discussion, but an OGS is available from
Key Power.
Okay, so why did I first mention the SBS product before the GTS product, but
then define the two in the reverse order? Because the basis for both products is
the grid-tie connection to the utility, and without that connection, the State will
not provide the rebate. But for those of us in likely power outage areas, the
SBS is an interesting, quiet and renewable approach to providing backup
capability, while also reaping the financial benefits of the GTS, bringing greater
return value to the proposition. The State doesn’t subsidize a fossil fuel
generator.
In all of these discussions, please keep in mind that there are a great variety of
options available, and literally every requirement can be satisfied – we can build
any system size needed – often by combining different technologies and
approaches.
First let’s dispel any unreasonable expectations for the SBS line of products,
specifically the more modest systems. The energy available to support loads in
the house during backup mode is stored in batteries. You are not going to
backup the whole house (at least not without significant expense) if you have
central a/c units, although it certainly can be done. These units present a
tremendous load to start, and gobble energy. (If total home backup is what you
are looking for, the most cost effective approach, in terms of lowest capital
outlay, is to purchase a generator large enough to supply all your needs.) What
you can do is support smaller loads, depending on the SBS size, for a
reasonable amount of time, and yes, even air conditioning may be possible.
What are ‘smaller loads’? For the smallest SBS, you can expect to run your
refrigerator, bathroom, kitchen and some other lights, run a microwave and the
tv/cable/satellite system to stay in touch with the world overnight. The beauty is
the next day when the sun comes up, the batteries are re-charged, so this
process can continue indefinitely. If the sun doesn’t come out for a couple of
days, then the batteries can run out, so an additional step is to add a small
generator to recharge the batteries if necessary, or upsize the SBS to begin with
– it all depends on your budget and personal needs.
So what happens normally, when we are not in backup mode? This is the great
part. After making sure the batteries are full, the PV power is now fed into the
house just as a pure GTS would do. So now you are using the PV power to
supplement whatever power the house is using, and if you are producing more
than you need, it is sold to the utility company. At any given moment, you may
be buying less or no electricity from the utility, buying it all from the utility if
the sun is not shining, or actually selling it back to them.
And the backup system is always ready to provide power, uninterrupted,
without any action on your part, 24 x 7.
A Gridpoint SBS appliance. An Outback SBS appliance.
Contain batteries and all electrical conversion equipment.
‘Hey, what about the a/c you mentioned with the smaller systems?’ We utilize
portable a/c units, which present a low load and are plug-connected to a
receptacle. A 9,000 btu portable unit (on wheels) is the size of a portable
dehumidifier, and stores easily in a closet. You can put it anywhere you need it,
typically at night in the bedroom, and then roll it into the kitchen/living area
during the day. The units are high quality, relatively quiet appliances – the
perfect answer for energy efficiency in a backup situation.
If backup isn’t a concern, or you already have a backup system in place, then
the GTS products shine brighter. They are less complex since they have no
batteries, and therefore have no battery replacement costs down the road. Their
initial cost is lower, and they may reduce your utility bill to a somewhat larger
degree than an SBS since no power is used to charge the batteries.
| Copyright 2006 Key Power Services, Inc. http://www.keypowerservices.com |
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