Skip to main content

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Photovoltaic systems for houses, villas with electricity with solar panels

Updated
9 min read

Photovoltaic systems (PV) are a popular choice for powering homes and villas using clean and renewable energy from the sun.

Your home may be partially or entirely powered by solar panels, a wind generator, a diesel or gasoline generator, or a combination of these sources, depending on where it is located. For the most part, installing solar panels for power is best suited for residential and commercial buildings. Both structures with sloping roofs and buildings with a flat roof can have photovoltaic panels installed.

Potential uses for solar systems

Houses, villas, cabins, boats, caravans, and other structures can be partially or entirely supplied by them; The system can grow as necessary; When using an EnerDC, MultiPlus, or Quattro inverter, it is possible to have the system automatically supplement power from an external source (the external grid, a diesel or gasoline generator) in the event that the energy from the renewable source (a wind generator, photovoltaics, or a combination) does not reach you. This is possible for options 2, 3, 4, and 5 of those listed below. Battery-free photovoltaic systems can be constructed to generate electricity to sell, and with the installation of a "smart" electricity meter, the system can become self-sufficient (in option 1 of those outlined below);

You can have a networked photovoltaic system for electric water heating and for regulating heating appliances by adding a control module (for options 1 and 7 detailed below); if you have excess energy, you can sell it to the local ERP at the market rates.

[caption id="attachment_2167" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Negative Ground Solar Charge Negative Ground Solar Charge[/caption]

Information needed from the customer to help with system selection

What is the object's monthly electrical energy consumption, expressed in kWh? the object's position; available consumers (pump, etc.) with a high initial current; when does consumption peak; what type of power supply is necessary—single-phase or three-phase; preferred energy source: a combination of wind turbines and solar panels; the size of the main roof and/or the roofs of the auxiliary buildings, which could serve as available space for solar panels; preferred system type: non-accumulator or rechargeable network; Do you want to or do you not want to enter into a contract with ERP for the selling of electricity?

The most commonly used capacities for photovoltaic systems:

  • 400-600Wp;
  • 1000-1200Wp;
  • 2000-3000Wp;
  • 5000Wp;
  • 8-10 kWp;
  • 15-30 kWp.

Accessible photovoltaic systems with AC power:

Many clients want to connect solar panels to locations where the local utility already provides AC electricity. The systems created in this fashion can be used for a variety of purposes, such as lowering electricity costs or giving some consumers backup power (in the event of a failure of the external power supply, or in case of poor quality).

There are numerous types of solar systems, depending on the use:

1. Gridded photovoltaic systems without energy return on the grid

Pros:  Disadvantages
No batteries - ie - lowest operating costs over the years;Lack of UPS functionality *;
Easy expansion in the future - even after 5-8 years, the system can be expanded without problems;If the external power supply fails - the system shuts down and the object remains without power;
One of the cheapest solutions for photovoltaic systems.They are not very suitable for objects that have consumption at night as well.

The visualization below demonstrates the current output of our customer's solar panels, which is 3300W, and the consumption, which is 6091W. The external grid is used to add the remaining area (2791W). The inverter cuts its power when usage falls below photovoltaic output, preventing any energy from being fed back into the grid. All of this occurs instantly, without the need for relay switches or power outages that last even a few milliseconds.

The only distinction between these photovoltaic systems and electricity sales systems is that they do not let energy to be supplied back into the grid. This is accomplished by incorporating a component into the inverter that restricts the amount of energy used when photovoltaic energy production is high and electrical appliance use is low. High-quality European inverters with a 5-year warranty are used in the system's implementation. Using a cheap inverter, in our opinion, is too dangerous because there is a considerable potential of harm occurring before the investment pays off.

[caption id="attachment_2171" align="aligncenter" width="591"]Solar Diagram Solar Diagram[/caption]

2. Photovoltaic systems "Solar energy + UPS functionality"

 Pluses  Disadvantages
An excellent technical solution, allowing the use of a smaller number of batteries;Suitable for sites where consumption is mainly during the day;
Allows the use of a smaller inverter compared to the total peak power of the consumers;If the consumption is less than the production of the photovoltaics, the system limits its production
Lower price compared to options 3, 4 and 5;
Full UPS functionality (batteries are 100% charged)*;
 5 year electronics warranty.

The energy generated by the solar panels in these systems is promptly absorbed by the linked appliances. In order to have a reserve of power in the case of a central power breakdown, the batteries are always kept fully charged. The inverter can power a load that is several times greater than its power as long as an external grid is accessible. In the presence of an external power source, a 3000VA inverter with a 50A transfer switch, for instance, can provide consumers with a total power of up to 11.5kW. Consumers must be limited to 2.5kW in the case of a central power breakdown (which is the rated power of a 3000VA inverter).

The mechanism restricts the energy from the photovoltaics if the solar panels produce more energy than is used. These systems are typically utilized in workplaces and businesses,

3 . Photovoltaic systems "Solar energy + partial UPS and battery discharge (ESS)"

 Pluses  Disadvantages
An excellent technical solution, allowing the use of a smaller number of batteries;Suitable for sites where consumption is mainly during the day;
Allows the use of a smaller inverter than the total peak power of the consumers;Accumulators are partially discharged and have a limited amount of energy in them when the central power supply stops.
Lower price compared to options 3, 4 and 5;

If the Internet is available, the system can be monitored remotely;
 5 year warranty on the inverter / inverters;
Selection of battery discharge level.

In a photovoltaic system, the energy produced by the solar panels is directly utilized by the connected appliances. If the energy production exceeds the consumption, the batteries are charged accordingly. On days with limited solar exposure, the device releases energy from the batteries to maintain a set level of energy, thus providing partial backup power in case of a power failure. The inverter is capable of supplying a load greater than its own power as long as the external grid is available.

In comparison, a 3000VA inverter with a 50A transfer switch has a maximum output capacity of 11.5kW.

However, in the event of a power failure, the users must limit their consumption to the rated power of the inverter, which in this example is 2.4kW. These photovoltaic systems are commonly installed in businesses and offices where daytime use is prevalent and power outages are frequent.

4. Photovoltaic systems "Maximum consumption of photovoltaics"

 Pluses  Disadvantages
Utilization of photovoltaic energy at 100% (with proper sizing of the system);Limited UPS functionality;
Supplying consumers with energy from photovoltaics at night as well;Largest battery pack required compared to all other systems;
Preventive charge to 100% of batteries once every 14 or 28 days.The highest price of the listed systems;
High power inverter is required.

In this photovoltaic system, the solar panels generate energy which is consumed and stored in the batteries. During the nighttime, the energy stored in the batteries is used to power the connected appliances. The system is continuously connected to the external grid, allowing the inverter to supplement the energy when the load is high. With access to the external network, the inverter can provide electricity with a power output much greater than its nominal capacity. These systems necessitate a larger battery pack to accommodate the high energy demand. The batteries are also equipped with additional protection, which ensures they are fully charged at a specific time.

It should be noted that in this system, the discharge level of the batteries cannot be selected by the user. The switching from the batteries to the external grid is triggered by voltage.

5. Photovoltaic systems "Switching between two sources"

 Pluses  Disadvantages
Using almost all the energy produced by photovoltaics;There is no preventive charge on the batteries;
Supplying consumers with energy from the solar panels at night as well;Large battery pack required to withstand cyclic operation;
Partial UPS functionality.Higher cost compared to systems 1, 2 and 6.

This type of photovoltaic system is a hybrid of the previously described systems. The main source of energy for connected appliances is photovoltaics. If the energy produced by photovoltaics is insufficient, the system will supplement it with energy from the batteries. In the event of an overload in the inverter or a low battery level, the system automatically switches to the external grid (if available). The system will revert back to inverter power once the overload has been resolved or the batteries have recovered. A small reserve of energy is kept in the system, providing a limited backup power capability.

[caption id="attachment_2174" align="aligncenter" width="275"]Photovoltaic systems Photovoltaic systems[/caption]

It should be noted that, in this hybrid system, the user cannot determine the discharge level of the batteries. The switching between the energy sources is triggered by voltage.

6. Photovoltaic systems "Switching between two sources - a budget option"

Pluses  Disadvantages
Using almost all the energy produced by photovoltaics;There is no preventive charge on the batteries;
Supplying consumers with energy from the solar panels at night as well;Large battery pack required to withstand cyclic operation;
Partial UPS functionality.Higher cost compared to systems 1, 2 and 6.

In this hybrid system, the photovoltaics primarily provide energy to the connected appliances. If the energy produced is insufficient, the batteries supplement it. In the case of low battery levels, the system automatically switches to the external grid (when available) for charging and reverts back to inverter power. The inverter must be appropriately sized to accommodate the energy consumption needs of the consumers. The system also incorporates a small reserve energy which can function as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) during temporary power outages. The switching between the energy sources happens automatically and is based on voltage, with no option to manually control the battery discharge rate.

7. Photovoltaic plants for houses for the sale of electricity

[caption id="attachment_2173" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Photovoltaic systems Photovoltaic systems[/caption]

 Pluses  Disadvantages
The preferential price of energy purchaseMissing UPS functionality
Low construction costsA small limitation in production, introduced by regulation
Financial benefits for you even when you are away from home for a long timeShutting down the system in case of fluctuations in the voltage or frequency of the central power supply
Great warranty on all items

[caption id="attachment_2175" align="aligncenter" width="433"]Solar Panel 2pcs 100 Watt Solar Panel 2pcs 100 Watt[/caption]

More from this blog

Solar Arrays

25 posts