Photovoltaic Thermal (PV/T) Hybrid Solar Panel
This example shows how to model the cogeneration of electrical power and heat using a hybrid PV/T solar panel. The generated heat is transferred to water for household consumption.
It uses blocks from the Simscape™ Foundation™, Simscape Electrical™, and Simscape Fluids™ libraries. The electrical portion of the network contains a Solar Cell block, which models a set of photovoltaic (PV) cells, and a Load subsystem, which models a resistive load. The thermal network models the heat exchange that occurs between the physical components of the PV panel (glass cover, heat exchanger, back cover) and the environment. Heat is exchanged through conduction, convection, and radiation. The thermal-liquid network contains a pipe, a tank, and pumps. The pumps control the flows of the liquids through the system.
To model the reflection, absorption and transmission of light in the glass cover, an optical model is embedded in a MATLAB® Function block.
Model overview
Open the model to view its structure:
open_system(‘sscv_hybrid_solar_panel’);
The thermal network is in red, the electrical network in blue and the thermal liquid network in yellow. There are subsystems for the solar and pump inputs. There is also a subsystem that contains scopes for visualizing the simulation results. Another subsystem contains the function for the optical model.
Parameters
You can use the hybrid_solar_panel_data.m script to change the parameter values that this example uses for components such as the load, solar cell, pipe, and tank.
edit sscv_hybrid_solar_panel_data;
Inputs
The inputs of the model are the pump flows and the solar variables for irradiance and incidence angle. A repeating sequence block is used to define the inputs because they follow a 24-hour periodic cycle.
open_system(‘sscv_hybrid_solar_panel/Solar inputs’);
open_system(‘sscv_hybrid_solar_panel/Pump flow inputs’);
The sun rises at 6:00 and sets at 19:00. The irradiance follows a bell curve that peaks at 12:30. The incidence angle changes from pi/3 to 0.
There are three pumps. One pump models user demand, another models source supply, and a third models internal flow that forces convection in the pipe. The demand is constant and only non-zero from 10:00 to 22:00. The supply is constant and only non-zero from 18:00 to 6:00. The internal flow is also constant and only non-zero from 6:00 to 22:00. This model is used for the internal flow because it is not efficient to force heat exchange during the night when the ambient temperature is low.
You can use the hybrid_solar_panel_plot_inputs.m script to plot the inputs:
sscv_hybrid_solar_panel_plot_inputs;
Optical model for the glass cover
The optical model is inside a subsystem:
open_system(‘sscv_hybrid_solar_panel/Optical model’);
It consists of a MATLAB® Function block, with the 2 solar inputs, and 3 outputs: the transmitted irradiance on the PV cells, the heat absorbed by the glass, and the radiative power absorbed by the PV cells. Part of it will be transformed into electrical power (VI) and the rest will be heat absorbed by the PV cells.
From an optical point of view, the glass consists of 2 parallel boundaries (air-glass, glass-air), each one of those reflects and transmits light. The reflection coefficient in a boundary is obtained from the Fresnel equations. is for P-polarization and for S-polarization. The total reflection is the average of both, and the transmittance is as there is no absorption so far:
^2 \cos(\theta_i). \sqrt^2. \sin(\theta_i)^2#xA;^2 \cos(\theta_i) \sqrt n_^2. \sin(\theta_i)^2 \right) ^2 /
^2. \sin(\theta_i)^2#xA;^2. \sin(\theta_i)^2 \right) ^2 /
\left( r_p r_s \right) /
This is an example of the optical coefficients rp, rs, r and t in function of incidence angle:
nrel = 1.52; %Optical index from air to glass theta = linspace(0, pi/2, 100); rp = ( nrel^2cos(theta). sqrt(nrel^2. sin(theta).^2) ).^2./. ( nrel^2cos(theta) sqrt( nrel^2. sin(theta).^2 ) ).^2 ; rs = ( cos(theta). sqrt(nrel^2. sin(theta).^2) ).^2./. ( cos(theta) sqrt( nrel^2. sin(theta).^2 ) ).^2 ; r = 0.5(rp rs); t = 1. r; figure; plot(theta180/pi, rp, ‘Color’, [0 1 1], ‘LineWidth’, 1.5); hold on plot(theta180/pi, rs, ‘Color’, [0 0.5 1], ‘LineWidth’, 1.5); plot(theta180/pi, r, ‘Color’, [0 0 1], ‘LineWidth’, 1.5); plot(theta180/pi, t, ‘Color’, ‘m’, ‘LineWidth’, 1.5); legend(‘rp’,’rs’,’r’,’t’); xlabel(‘Incidence angle (deg)’); grid on box on
This is what happens in one boundary, but the glass has 2 parallel boundaries separated by. The angle after the 1st boundary is the incidence angle on the 2nd boundary and is calculated from Snell’s Law:
When the light enters the glass, it absorbs part of it with a constant probability per unit length (alpha_g), resulting in an exponential decay from distance travelled for the transmittance coefficient in the glass:
\right) /
Then, when it arrives at the 2nd boundary, it reflects and transmits again with Fresnel equations. The reflected light is trapped inside the glass, reflecting infinite times between the 2 boundaries until completely absorbed. The total reflection and transmission coefficients of the system are then the sum of an infinite geometrical series, for which the result is:
/
r_1 r_2 \tau_g ^2 /
Finally, the total optical coefficients for the glass are:
sscv_hybrid_solar_panel_plot_optics;
Outputs
The outputs of the model are the temperatures of all components of the panel, the electrical and thermal power, and the volume in the tank.
You can use the script hybrid_solar_panel_plot_outputs to plot the solution:
sscv_hybrid_solar_panel_plot_outputs;
Efficiency calculation
From the outputs it is possible to calculate the electrical, thermal, and total efficiency of the panel:
sscv_hybrid_solar_panel_efficiency;
Efficiency Calculation Total input energy from the sun in the period: 43.7845 kWh Average input energy from the sun per day: 14.5948 kWh/day Total electrical energy supplied to the load: 7.5336 kWh Average electrical energy supplied per day: 2.5112 kWh/day Total absolute thermal energy in the water supplied to the user: 26.4349 kWh Total absolute thermal energy in the water extracted from the source: 16.5049 kWh Total used thermal energy (sink. source): 9.93 kWh Average used thermal energy per day (sink. source): 3.31 kWh/day Electrical efficiency: 0.17206 Thermal efficiency: 0.22679 Total efficiency: 0.39885
The electrical efficiency is on the order of standard PV cells, but adding the thermal efficiency the production of energy is significantly better, with a system efficiency on the order of a cogeneration plant.
A further analysis could use Simulink® Design Optimization™ or other optimization tools to find optimal values for certain parameters eligible for control, maximizing total efficiency.
Another improvement would be the addition of controllers to the pumps and the electrical load, in order to drive the system to different operating points and optimize the performance.
Photovoltaic Hybrid Systems
Hybrid photovoltaic systems most commonly take the form of photovoltaic systems combined with wind turbines or diesel generators. They would most likely be found on islands, yet they could also be built in other areas. The largest European PV system used as a part of the hybrid system is located on Pellworm Island in Germany. A very large hybrid system was also built on the Canary Islands. The following descriptions depict some of the world most interesting PV-wind or PV-diesel hybrid systems.
SMA’s inverter Sunny Island used in hybrid systems (courtesy SMA)
Case Studies. Khythnos Island, Greece
The Kythnos Island hybrid system plant utilizes a 100 kW PV array, a 100 kW wind turbine, and a 600 kWh battery. The entire system is connected to the existing distribution grid, which is fed by a 200 kVA diesel generator. Three 50 kVA inverters operate simultaneously delivering power into the grid. The plant is monitored by control system, which optimises the amount of renewable energy available to the grid.
| Name and location | Kythnos Island Plant. Kythnos, Greece |
| PV system type | PV-wind-diesel hybrid system |
| Operates since | 1983 |
| Rated power | 100 kW PV, 200 kW diesel, 100 kW wind |
| Storage | 600 kWh battery storage |
| Number of modules | almost 60,000 |
| Total PV area | 1290 m 2 |
| Module mounting | Fixed tilt |
| Inverters | Siemens 50 kVA x 3 |
| Utility interconnection | 380 V, 3-Phase, 50 Hz |
| Design energy output | 170,000 kWh/year |
TABLE 1: Kythnos Island hybrid system, basic features
Pellworm Island
The largest European PV wind hybrid system is located on the Pellworm Island in Germany. The PV array has the capacity of 800 kW (originaly 600 kW). The first 300 kW array was constructed in 1983. System was renewed in 2006 and has peak power of 1,1 MW (PV wind).
| Name and location | Pellworm Power Plant. Island Pellworm, Germany |
| PV system type | PV-wind hybrid system |
| Operates since | 1983, repowered in 2006 and 2016 |
| Rated PV power | 300 kWp part one, 300 kWp part two, 800 kWp after repowered |
| Number of modules | 17,569 19.2 W modules, 6048 50 W modules, exchanged with Shell Solar and BP Solar modules in 2006 |
| Total PV area | 4500 m 2 3500 m 2 |
| Module mounting | Fixed tilt |
| Inverters | Thyristor IGBT inverter |
| Design energy output | 770,000 kWh/year |
TABLE 2: Pellworm Island hybrid system, basic features
Wilpena Pound
The Wilpena Pound power station combines 100 kWp PV system, battery storage of 400 kWh, an inverter and 440 kWp diesel generators. At night a computerized Smart controller automatically switches between the battery storage and the most-efficient diesel generator combination to match the load. A modem-link provides remote monitoring and control facilities.
| Name and location | Wilpena Pound PV System. South Australia |
| PV system type | PV-diesel hybrid system |
| Operates since | 1999 |
| Rated power | 100 kWp PV 440 kW diesel genset |
| Storage | 400 kWh, Sonnenschein Gel battery storage |
| Number of modules | 1260, 80 W Solarex modules |
| Module mounting | Fixed tilt |
| Inverters | AES 125 kVA |
TABLE 3: Wilpena Pound hybrid system, basic features
Links
Khythnos Island, 20 Years Experience of Sytem Technology for Renewable Energies, SMA,
Reports
Accessed on 29th June, 2023 at 16:37 CET
This page was last time updated on 29th December, 2015 ©Denis Lenardic, 2001-2023, pvresources®. All Rights Reserved.
Wind Turbine Solar Panel Combinations: A Guide to Hybrid Systems
It’s advice most of us have heard since we were children: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. That still holds true for renewable power systems. A wind turbine and solar panel combination helps you get the best performance from your setup.
Our hybrid systems are designed to avoid the common pitfalls that can cause wind- or solar-only systems to come up short. After all, the sun can’t always shine and the wind can’t always blow.
Out of all these, installing a wind-solar hybrid system is the most impactful thing you can do to increase the effectiveness of your renewable energy system.
There’s a reason we’re not called Missouri Wind or Solar. The combination of solar and wind technology helps you unlock the full potential of your turbines and panels. That improved experience helps turn renewable power doubters into believers.
Today, we want to outline the reasons why this combination is more effective than either system on its own, discuss some ways to set up your system, and some possible expansions and customizations of your wind and solar setup.
Benefits of a Wind Solar Hybrid System
There’s night even in the sunniest places and calm times on the windiest plains. But your power demands can’t always conform to the availability of wind and sun. Fortunately, installing a hybrid system goes a long way to alleviating this issue.
Low light or wind conditions doesn’t have to mean you are entirely without power. Installing a grid-tie system ensures that, when your renewable system’s output naturally dips, the existing grid picks up the slack.
Installing a feed inverter with your grid-tied system also allows many customers to effectively supply power back to the grid. This is called net metering, and it uses a bidirectional electrical meter to send excess power that your system generates back out. Depending on your specific utility, you may even be able to get money back on your bill (always check with your company or co-op first).
While having a grid-tied system with a battery backup–a requirement when incorporating a small wind turbine–does help protect you from losing power when the grid goes down, it’s not foolproof. You must be conscientious about your power consumption while running on batteries, otherwise you’ll use it up faster than it can charge.
One of the big advantages of a combination wind and solar power system is that often—not always, but often—when sunlight decreases, wind increases and vice-versa.
When there’s not enough wind to turn your turbines, your solar panels can make up the difference.
Whether you’re working to keep your battery bank charged or just to maximize your power production compared to your consumption on a grid-tied system, going with a wind turbine and solar panel combination goes a long way to helping you achieve energy independence.
It’s also important to understand the difference between weather and climate. While you may live in an area that favors solar over wind or vice-versa, these distinctions can help you make a more informed judgment when planning your system.
Weather refers to the conditions in a given area on a day-to-day basis, climate is the pattern of weather over the years and decades in that area.
You might experience even extended spells of windy or sunny weather, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wise to rely on either system on its own.
Even in an area with an especially solar- or wind-friendly climate, weather variations mean that a hybrid system may still be a Smart investment.
Especially if you’re moving to a new region, make sure to do your homework to get a sense of the weather patterns you can expect over time.
This information really comes into play should you make the decision to expand your system (more on that below).
When you install a wind turbine and solar panel combination system, you effectively cover your bases and go a long way to making your system more productive.
How to Set Up a Wind Solar Hybrid System
Setting up a wind turbine and solar panel combination is very similar to setting up either system on its own, but with one major exception: your charge control board.
Unless you purchase a wind and solar hybrid kit, which already includes a compatible controller, you need to look carefully at the charge control unit to make sure it can be used with both wind turbines and solar panels.
This gets at one of the major differences between wind turbines and solar panels: wind turbines need an outlet through which they can safely discharge excess power, solar panels do not.
Whether you’re charging your batteries or powering your appliances, once the output of your solar panels meets your demands, the system achieves equilibrium and throws away incoming power that it doesn’t need.
Unless you’re connected to the grid, your solar panels will just rest until they’re needed again, when they’ll pick right back up where they left off, no worse for the delay.
This is not the case for your wind turbines.
A wind turbine’s generator turns kinetic energy into electricity, and it doesn’t respond to an equilibrium in the same way a solar panel does. As long as the wind blows and the turbine is engaged, it will continue to generate power.
Excess power generated by a wind turbine with no diversion load can literally boil your batteries. If the battery is full, the turbine needs another load such as a resistor or additional batteries to keep the turbine engaged and prevent it freely spinning out of control.
Many charge controllers are made specifically for wind turbines or solar panels and will not work when installed with the incorrect infrastructure. A hybrid charge controller will allow you to charge batteries from both your turbines and panels. You can also install separate controllers for turbines and panels, a hybrid controller just allows you to run both through the same charge controller.
Buying a turnkey hybrid kit makes this a non-issue, but make sure to pay extra attention if you are expanding an existing wind or solar system.
Otherwise, installation of a hybrid system is straightforward. Attention should be paid to the placement of solar panels and wind turbines to maximize output. Solar panels paired with a time tracker help maximize sun exposure throughout the day.
Wind turbines generally perform better the higher above the ground they are mounted. Make sure to check for any applicable zoning and permitting rules before setting up your turbine, as they may also set a maximum height for turbines.
Along with these general guidelines, remember that the specific geography and landscape features of your property may create areas of shade or unexpected windbreaks. Take the specifics of your property into account when setting up your system.
Expanding Customizing Your Hybrid System
If your goal is to live entirely free of the power grid, you will have to balance your power demands with the output of your renewable power system. This means reducing unnecessary appliances, but also expanding your wind and solar hybrid setup.
Fortunately, going for a hybrid setup early on makes future expansion easier and more flexible. Not only do you have the hybrid charge controller already setup, you now have firsthand experience as to which system performs better for you.
Depending on where you live, it may make more sense to FOCUS your expansion budget on additional wind turbines or solar panels. If you get more wind output than solar, three turbines and one solar panel may make more sense than two and two.
You can always change out your charge controller as well, if you find you’ve outgrown your old one.
Depending on your property and priorities, you can also add output components to your system to act as a power dump should you start producing much more excess power.
If you find yourself deicing a livestock tank, reducing the demand of your power-hungry water heater, or providing hot water to an RV, camper, or motor home, a DC Water Heating Element is a great addition.
We’re big fans of wind turbine and solar panel combination systems here. There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” setup, but the vast majority of our customers benefit from a hybrid approach.
Our goals go beyond selling you the system that best fits your needs. We want to empower you to take charge of your renewable power needs. This guide is meant to do just that, giving you the wind and solar knowledge to make your system work for you.
FAQs
Here are the major takeaways from this post to answer some of our most frequently asked questions:
Can you combine a wind turbine and solar panel?
Yes! Many homeowners prefer this model and it’s very easy to install and work with.
Can you connect a wind turbine and solar panel to the same charge controller?
There are a number of hybrid charge controllers on the market. Make sure you aren’t trying to connect a turbine to a controller made for solar, as it doesn’t have the dump divert load capability needed for turbines.
Can you charge with solar and wind at the same time?
Yes! Running through a hybrid charge controller allows you to use both solar panels and wind turbines to charge your battery bank, presuming both are receiving enough sun or wind to generate electricity.
Why is it good to have both solar panels and wind turbines?
Having a combination system of wind and solar allows you to reduce your downtime, since often when windspeed is lower, solar output is higher and vice-versa.
What is a Hybrid Inverter?
In a world where renewable energy sources are becoming more and more popular, homeowners and businesses alike are looking for ways to economize their energy usage and improve their environmental friendliness.
With solar panels being installed on rooftops around the globe, one significant step towards a simpler, more seamless green energy set-up is the hybrid inverter: an electronic device that allows solar panels, batteries, and the traditional electric grid to work in tandem rather than apart.
A hybrid inverter is an electronic device that combines the functions of a microinverter and a battery charger in one unit. It allows solar panels to intelligently offload excess energy into batteries, which is important because solar energy production peaks during the daytime while energy demand is highest in the evening.
Hybrid inverters are commonly used in conjunction with solar PV systems to allow the use of both grid-tied and off-grid configurations. They are also used in microgrids, which are small-scale electrical grids that can operate either independently or in conjunction with larger power grids.
In this article, we’ll introduce what hybrid inverters are, how they work, the advantages of using them, and how much you might realistically have to spend in order to acquire one for your home. Let’s get started!
WHAT IS A HYBRID INVERTER?
To understand hybrid inverters, it’s first important to understand the inner workings of how solar energy gets from the sun into your home.
When light shines on a solar panel, it creates DC (direct current) electricity. Though important, DC electricity is not very useful when it comes to powering your home as it isn’t utilized to run most household appliances like refrigerators, lamps, or washing machines.
This is where inverters come in – they take the DC electricity created by solar panels and ‘invert’ it into usable AC (alternating current) electricity. The technical specifics of this process can be a little overwhelming (and we cover them in more detail below if you’re interested) but inverters are an essential component of any solar PV system.
A hybrid inverter, on the other hand, is akin to a standard inverter with an added benefit: It can also work with an AC source – for example, the grid power coming into your home from the utility company. This gives you more flexibility in how you use your solar PV system, as you can now choose to either use the grid or your solar panels as your main power source, or run your home completely off of solar power.
Hybrid inverters are being widely adopted in the solar industry, as they provide a number of benefits for both homeowners and installers. You’ll often see them being used in commercial or large-scale solar installations, as they can provide a more efficient and reliable way to manage power generation and usage.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INVERTER AND A HYBRID INVERTER?
Inverters convert direct current into alternating current, which is the type of electricity that powers most household appliances. When used in conjunction with solar panels, they allow you to convert energy collected from the solar panels into usable electricity for your home appliances.
Note that very small solar configurations – like those for a calculator or a watch – don’t require an inverter, as their power demands are small enough that they can run directly off of solar energy. Anything larger, though, requires an inverter to function correctly, and this is why you see the vast majority of solar systems sold with inverters.
Hybrid inverters take the idea of an inverter one step further. Rather than just convert DC to AC, hybrid inverters can convert energy to both AC or DC interchangeably. This opens up new possibilities for storage of solar energy; instead of having to use all the energy as it’s produced, hybrid inverters allow you to store solar energy in a battery bank for use later on.
One of the most beneficial features of a hybrid inverter is that it lets you sell back power to the grid. When you’re not using all of the energy your solar panels are producing, and you don’t have a need to store that excess energy (say, because your batteries are already full), a hybrid inverter can send that extra power back to your utility company in exchange for a credit on your next electricity bill. This is a great way to help offset the cost of installing a solar array, and can be a very lucrative proposition if your utility company offers high buy-back rates.
HOW DOES A HYBRID INVERTER WORK?
To understand a hybrid inverter, we’ll need to first learn about the workings of several important concepts in electricity.
Inverters
As mentioned previously, an inverter, in its simplest form, is a device that converts DC (direct current) power into AC (alternating current) power. This is what’s used in a solar system to run your lamps, appliances, and other electronics. AC is the standard form of power in our homes and businesses.
Direct current vs alternating current
Direct current, as its name suggests, is a current of electricity that flows in one direction. Alternating current, on the other hand, alternates its flow back and forth many times per second.
When DC comes into the system, the inverter begins turning it into AC power using a process called pulse width modulation (PWM). PWM is the method by which the inverter regulates how much power is sent to the grid. Basically, it works by turning the DC current on and off very quickly, so that the average voltage being output is equivalent to that of AC.
This all happens inside of the inverter in mere microseconds. The AC power is then sent out to your home or business to power your appliances.
Going in the other direction
If you had AC energy and you wanted to convert it back into usable DC power, you would need a rectifier. A rectifier is sort of like the inverse of an inverter; it takes AC energy and converts it into pulsing DC, which can be conveniently stored in the batteries in your system. The process of converting AC to DC is called ‘rectification.’
The hybrid inverter
Now that you understand how inverters and rectifiers work, you already more or less understand the hybrid inverter.
Simply put, the hybrid inverter is both an inverter and a rectifier in a sleek, form-fitting package. It can take DC power from the solar panels and invert it to AC power that is usable in your home, and it can take AC power from the grid and use it to store DC energy in your batteries.
Battery energy storage
The last piece of the puzzle is battery energy storage. Because of the variability of solar power generation (due to inclement weather conditions, for example), it’s not always possible to use solar power as it’s generated. Batteries allow you to store energy from your solar panels for later use or in the event of a grid outage, and we consider them a must-have for any solar energy system.
Batteries store DC power. which is what your solar panels produce. As mentioned before, inverters can convert this DC power to AC for use in your home or business. Your inverter can also charge your batteries by funneling any excess energy from your solar panel that’s not being used at a given moment to the battery rather than to your appliances.
If the weather conditions change, or your local grid goes down, inverters can also automatically switch you over to battery power to keep your home running. Since energy from DC batteries is in the same format as the energy from your solar panels (namely, direct current), there’s no perceivable difference to the end user.
But what if you’re not getting enough sunlight, have no battery power left, but still have access to your local grid? In this case, the rectifier function in your hybrid inverter can pull AC power from the grid to keep your DC batteries charged.
The beauty of the hybrid inverter is that it seamlessly integrates solar power generation, battery storage, and backup power into a single unit. It’s an ideal solution for anyone looking to streamline their solar panel set-up for their home or business.
CAN A HYBRID INVERTER RUN WITHOUT A BATTERY?
Although hybrid solar inverters are designed to work with batteries, they can also operate without them. If you’re not using a battery with your hybrid inverter, the unit will simply divert any excess solar power it generates into the grid instead.
Assuming your energy buy-back rates are high enough, this could yield significant savings over the lifespan of your solar energy system, and is a great option for anyone who wants to take advantage of solar energy but doesn’t want to deal with the added expense or complexity of a battery bank.
That said, running a hybrid inverter without a battery is definitely not recommended. Without a battery, you’ll lose the ability to store solar energy for later use, and you’ll also miss out on the backup power capabilities that are such an important part of the hybrid inverter design.
One of the main reasons why hybrid inverters are so loved in the solar energy community is their ability to compensate for fluctuating energy availability, so if you don’t have a battery, you’re losing an important feature.
ADVANTAGES OF HYBRID SOLAR INVERTERS
Hybrid solar inverters are more efficient than traditional inverters, and they’re also significantly more versatile. They can be used with a variety of different battery storage systems, making them a good choice for anyone who wants to make full use of solar power generation.
Let’s look at their key benefits below:
Efficiency
Hybrid solar inverters are more efficient than traditional inverters, and they’re also significantly more versatile. They can be used with a variety of different battery storage systems, making them a good choice for anyone who wants to make full use of solar power generation.
Let’s look at their key benefits below:
Simple to use
They’re also very easy to use. There’s no need to switch between different devices or systems – the hybrid inverter does it all for you. This makes it a good choice for anyone who wants to take advantage of solar power without having to deal with a lot of complicated technical jargon.
Compatibility
They’re also highly compatible with a variety of different battery storage systems. This makes them a good choice for anyone who wants to use solar power as their primary or backup source of energy.
Backup power
Most importantly, hybrid solar inverters also provide backup power in the event of a power outage. This can be a real lifesaver during an emergency, and it can help you keep your home or business running smoothly even when the grid is down. For people that live in areas that are prone to power outages, a hybrid solar inverter is a strong choice.
Easy monitoring
Because all household energy passes through your hybrid inverter, it’s easy to keep track of your energy usage. You can see exactly how much solar power you’re generating, how much battery storage you have available, and how much backup power you have available at any given time.
This makes it easy to stay on top of your energy usage and make adjustments as needed. If you’re using something like the Hoymiles S-Miles Cloud monitoring platform, you can log on and view detailed energy consumption statistics in seconds, making it easy to track your progress.
Seamless buy-back
Because of their integrated ability to monitor, switch, and store energy, hybrid solar inverters can also help you take advantage of energy buy-back schemes. When your solar panels are generating more power than you’re using, the hybrid inverter will automatically sell that excess power back to the grid. This can help you save money on your energy bills while also supporting green initiatives (and your community).
HOW MUCH DOES A HYBRID INVERTER COST?
The cost of a hybrid inverter is difficult to quantify, as the price varies depending on the make and model of the inverter as well as its capacity. Generally speaking, hybrid inverters are more expensive than traditional single-function inverters, but as solar and battery technology continue to evolve, this may not always be the case. In terms of a middle-of-the-road inverter, one can expect to spend approximately 6-10% of the total set-up cost on the hybrid inverter.
So, for example, if your PV system ends up costing ~22,500 (the average for a 7.5 kW residential system), you can expect to spend around 1,350 to 2,250 on your hybrid inverter.
Because hybrid inverters pack three of the most important features of a renewable energy system into one small package, they can naturally be more expensive than traditional inverters. However, in contrast with purchasing and installing a separate battery system, a hybrid inverter is more likely to pay for itself in the long run with its added efficiency and lower cost of installation.
By increasing self-consumption (up to 80%, in some cases), a hybrid inverter can also help reduce energy costs for homeowners and businesses, and intelligent monitoring of grid-based power can help keep energy bills low by selling excess energy when not required.
LOOKING TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILL AND HELP THE PLANET?
Hoymiles’ HY3-series hybrid inverters can help. They’re sleek, efficient, and simple to install. Increase your energy independence and simplify your life with Hoymiles. Learn more today!