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. 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 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 Grid-Tie System 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.
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 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 Off-Grid System is available from
Key Power Services, Inc.
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.
These systems utilize photovoltaic power (PV), which is energy produced by
converting the sun’s rays into electricity. 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 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 Grid-Tie System 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.
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 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 Off-Grid System is available from
Key Power Services, Inc.
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.
| Copyright 2006 Key Power Services, Inc. http://www.keypowerservices.com |
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