Multi Hybrid

This system consists of two alternative energy systems working together. An island system secures backup power to the "essential" appliances. A Grid-connected systems feeds power to both the essential and non-essential appliances. The topology of a multi hybrid system allows it to function as a full island system under grid-failure, ensuring an unlimited power supply to all essentials. As the grid=connected PV system is usually sized to serve both essential and non-essential appliances, it is well oversized in case of grid failure to supply the essential appliances. As the batteries will only cycle in case of grid failure, standby batteries can be used that achieve similar life to that of cyclic batteries but are far more cost effective. Battery backup is then only sized for essential appliances and therefore significantly less than typical off-grid applications.

Advantages:

• Reliable supply for essential appliances
• Batteries will not be cycling if grid power is available
• Battery backup is only for essential equipment resulting in a reduced battery bank
• Standby batteries in this application can achieve similar life to cyclic batteries in a cycle application
• Expandable in both the island and grid capacities
• Surplus power is fed back into the grid and not dissipated as in island systems
• Essential appliances can be selected and added

Disadvantages:

• Only partial grid-independence is achieved

Smart Grid

Unlike typical grid connected PV systems that feed power into an electrical grid and may feed excess power back to utilities, smart grid systems are designed for optimizing self-consumption without any grid feedback. This process is achieved by obtaining daily weather forecasts and shifting manageable loads to matching generation times. In addition to load management, this system has the ability to throttle back the inverter's generation to prevent feedback of excess power to the national grid. These systems have online monitoring capabilities but do require a dedicated internet connection point, for daily weather forecasts as well as reporting.

As these systems do not require any batteries, the required maintenance efforts are negligible. Solartech West Coast Smart Grid PV Systems do not offer backup in case of grid failure. Solartech West Coast Grid Systems can be expended to Hub2 Hydrid systems at a later stage.

Advantages:

• Cost effective (short payback)
• Simple
• Staged, modular expansion
• Easy installation
• Compact
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Grid parity today
• No serious lifestyle changes
• Low maintenance
• High efficiencies

Island Farm House

Energy generated from the PV modules is used by inverters to produce 220Vac power. Surplus power is stored in batteries to ensure power availability when usage exceeds PV production. Battery storage is sized in order to achieve about 3 days autonomy. As the batteries will be working on a daily basis, cyclic batteries should ideally be used. The Victron Multi and Quattro island systems are true hybrid inverters. True hybrid inverters have the ability to select how it will interact with the grid supply. If grid supply is in the form of national grid, a true hybrid inverter can be programmed to ignore the dedicated supply and only accept due to low battery or load exceeding inverter specification. In the case of generator supply it can manage the generator and be programmed not to overdraw the generator. True hybrid inverters are expandable in parallel or three phase.

Advantages:

• Grid independance
• Expandable into parellel or three phase
• Reliable power supply with grid/generator backup

Disadvantages:

• Batteries will be cycling on a daily basis
• Once battery capacity is reached, power generated by the PV system is dissipated.
• Battery capacity needs to ensure autonomy for about 3 days

Hub2 Hybrid

Hub2 Hybrid systems are used for maximizing self-consumption with a grid presence. This system combines weather prediction, load optimization & feedback unique to Smart Grid Systems with surplus energy recovery of the hub2 island system. This system will run a residence "off-grid" or on "1A power assist" during the night, discharging the batteries to a predetermimd level. Once the predetermined state of charge is reached the island inverter will go back to full grid support, but instead of charging the batteries, will wait for "surplus" power the following day before the batteries are charged up.

Unlike Grid-Tied systems the Hub2 Hybrid system autonomously switches to island operation in cases of grid power failure, which means that your green power will be available during outages. The cyclic batteries will give you up to 15 years of suplus recovery while enjoying the benefits of backup for essential appliances.

Your Advantages

• Staged, modular expension
• High efficiencies
• Batteries allow for surplus energy recovery
• Batteries are of cyclic type, with up to 15 year expected life
• Feedback prevention
• Flexible load shifting
• Option of external power source )grid, generator, wind)

Backup

Backup systems are solar ready, and can easily be integrated to a multi-hybrid system to ensure unlimited backup and cost saving when power is available. The battery autonomy is tailored for every client, and can easily be increased if required. All our backup systems have local monitoring with features like "State of Charge", "Time to Go", "Charge Emitted" and many useful functions that is essential if backup is important and have internet capabilities.