Best Hybrid Inverters in ivory coast ( september 2023 )
South Africans looking for a capable home backup power system should take great care when choosing an inverter.
While batteries and solar panels tend to be more flexible in terms of upgrades down the line, inverters can run into big compatibility problems that might require replacing them altogether when upgrading.
From a technical standpoint, batteries and solar panels are far less complex than inverters.
An inverter’s primary purpose is to convert direct current (DC) electricity, generated through sunlight or stored in batteries, into alternating current (AC), which is useable electricity.
High-quality inverters feature various control circuits, switches, and transformers to ensure they handle the process safely and efficiently and that the electricity delivered to your appliances does not damage them.
To decide which inverter to buy, you must first consider what type of backup system you want.
Most households in South Africa are opting for a combination of photovoltaic solar and battery backup to generate and store cheap electricity they can use when they experience load-shedding.
A hybrid solar inverter is the combination of a solar inverter and a battery inverter into a single piece of equipment that can intelligently manage power from your solar panels, solar batteries, and the utility Grid at the same time.
A traditional solar grid-tie inverter converts direct current (DC) electricity produced by your photovoltaic (PV) system into the alternating current (AC) electricity that powers your house, which also allows excess electricity generation to be transferred to the utility grid.
A battery inverter handles the process of inverting DC electricity that’s stored in your solar battery storage into AC electricity that can be used by your home.
By combining these functions into a single device, a solar hybrid grid-tie inverter streamlines and improves the operations of the classic solar inverter. Even better, since the amount of solar power that’s available can depend on the weather and seasonality, a hybrid inverter can draw power from the electricity grid to charge your battery storage system if needed.
There are three types of solar power systems:
1.On- Grid System –
On-grid solar power systems are a popular option for those who want to generate their electricity from renewable sources while still maintaining a connection to the national power grid. This type of system is also known as a grid-tied system and works in tandem with the local utility company or distribution company.
On-grid systems generate electricity from solar panels and use an inverter to convert the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used to power a home or business. Any excess power generated by the system is sent back to the national electric grid for compensation, which can be received through feed-in tariffs or net metering programs.
Feed-in tariffs involve receiving payment for the excess electricity that is fed back into the grid. This payment is typically based on the amount of electricity generated and can be a fixed or variable rate. Net metering programs allow homeowners to offset their electricity bills by sending excess power back to the grid, and the compensation they receive is calculated based on the difference between the amount of electricity generated and the amount of electricity used.
On-grid solar power systems are a cost-effective way to generate electricity from renewable sources because they eliminate the need for batteries to store excess energy. This means that homeowners can avoid the expense of purchasing and maintaining a battery bank while still being able to generate their electricity from solar power.
However, there are some disadvantages to on-grid systems. They cannot generate electricity during power outages, and they are reliant on the availability and reliability of the national electric grid. Despite this, on-grid solar power systems remain a popular option for homeowners and businesses looking to reduce their reliance on traditional sources of electricity while still maintaining a connection to the grid.
2.Off- Grid System
Off-grid solar power systems are a type of solar power system that operates independently of the national electric grid. This type of system is commonly used in remote areas that are not connected to the grid, or by individuals who want to reduce their reliance on traditional sources of electricity.
Off-grid solar power systems generate electricity from solar panels and store it in batteries for use when the sun is not shining. The batteries are connected to an inverter, which converts the DC electricity stored in the batteries into AC electricity that can be used to power a home or business.
Because off-grid solar power systems are not connected to the national electric grid, they require the use of batteries to store excess energy. This means that homeowners must purchase and maintain a battery bank, which can be expensive. However, the cost of the batteries is offset by the fact that off-grid systems provide reliable electricity even in remote areas that are not connected to the grid.
Off-grid solar power systems also require careful planning to ensure that the system is properly sized and that there is enough energy storage to meet the homeowner's needs. The system must be designed to meet the home's energy needs throughout the year, including periods of low sunlight and high energy demand.
Despite the initial costs and planning required, off-grid solar power systems offer several advantages. They provide energy independence, reduce reliance on traditional sources of electricity, and are a reliable source of electricity in remote areas. They also have a low environmental impact, as they do not emit greenhouse gases or other pollutants associated with traditional sources of electricity.
3. Hybrid System
Modern hybrid systems combine solar and battery storage into one unit and are now available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Because the cost of battery storage is decreasing, systems that are already connected to the power grid can begin to benefit from battery storage as well. This entails storing solar energy generated during the day and using it at night. When the stored energy runs out, the grid serves as a backup, giving consumers the best of both worlds. Hybrid systems can also charge the batteries using low-cost off-peak electricity (typically after midnight to 6 a.m.).
There are several approaches to designing hybrid systems, but we'll keep it simple for now.