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WHICH SOLAR POWER
SYSTEM IS FOR YOU?
 
Connected to the mains electricity
supply grid.
No mains power available.
Grid Connected
A grid connected solar electrical system
provides main electricity to the electricity
grid via solar panels and inverter.
The inverter changes the DC (Direct
Current) array voltage to AC (Alternating
Current) voltage and automatically connects
to the grid, providing renewable energy
for your house and offsetting your existing
power bills. Depending on the size of
your solar system and energy demands,
all of your house-hold's energy needs
can be serviced by solar. Ark Energy
will design a grid connected solar system
to meet your needs and budget. The majority
of grid connected solar systems shut
down during mains blackout. Ark Energy
can offer back up power during blackouts,
the options are- battery inverter or
generator back up.
The amount of solar electricity that
your system provides, compared with
your current energy use, may not always
coincide, due to bad habits, power hungry
devices and other equipment you may
have. Grid connected inverters must
meet strict Australian standards.
Stand Alone
  
 Stand
alone systems are generally used where
no mains grid power is available or
the cost of putting mains power on is
not feesable. The solar panels charge
large DC battery banks, either 12, 24,
48 volts DC. This DC battery voltage
is then converted to 240 volts AC through
an inverter.
 The
size of your inverter is related to
your loads and the size of your battery
bank. The output of a quality sine wave
inverter is cleaner than mains power.
The life of your batteries can be seriously
shortened if they are discharged deeply
on a regular basis due to increased
demand, or poor weather conditions resulting
in less solar irradiation and consequently
less charge going back into the batteries.
To maximize the life of your batteries
it is recommended to cycle the battery
bank within the top 20% of the rated
capacity. The life expectancy of a battery
bank that has not been abused is approximately
15 years.
Generators
 Generators can be incorporated into
stand alone power systems with a suitable
battery charger for use during extended
periods of bad weather or times of increased
energy demand. The generator start up
can be either manual or automatic. During
run time the generator will be charging
the battery bank with the battery charger
and running the household loads through
an automatic transfer switch. Essential
equipment such as computers can remain
running from the inverter during generator
run time.
Wind generators and micro hydro turbines
are a great option depending on the
site. Obviously
wind or running water are required and
can compliment a solar system very well
and reduce generator run time down to
virtually zero. Usually during periods
of bad weather and no sun comes wind
and rain.
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SOLAR ELECTRICITY
