Australians that are looking for a solar panel system for their home, can mainly choose between three different types: Grid connected systems, stand-alone off-grid systems and hybrid solar systems.
In this article, you will be able to learn more about hybrid solar systems, and what differs them from stand-alone and grid-tied systems.
The three types of solar panel systems
To be able to understand what a hybrid solar system is, you also need to know what a grid-tied or stand-alone system is.
Here we will explain everything you need to know about the three solar systems.
Off-grid solar systems (stand-alone solar systems)
Off-grid solar panel systems are not connected to the power grid, and are therefore also known as “stand-alone solar systems”. An off the grid system will usually be the only option if you live in a very remote area, where connection to the mains power is not possible.
During the night, your system will not produce any electricity. And when the sun conditions are poor, the system might not produce enough to cover your needs. Because of this, an off-grid solar panel system will usually have backup batteries where excess power can be stored.
When the system is not producing electricity, you will be able to use the stored energy from the batteries.
Positive:
- Can be used in areas where mains power is out of reach
- Low installation costs
- You do not need to worry about electricity bills
Negative:
- Backup batteries might be expensive, and will not necessarily last for more than three years or so before they need to be replaced
- Batteries require storage space
- High-maintenance
Grid-tied solar systems
A grid connected solar panel system will be connected to the mains power grid, and can be used without batteries. If the system were to produce more electricity than needed, the surplus power will get fed back into the mains grid. If so, you will receive a feed-in tariff.
The feed-in tariff is paid by your power retailer, and might vary depending on where in Australia you live, and other factors.
Positive:
- Low-maintenance and easy to operate
- Very cost effective
- Will provide you with grid power when the system is producing less than you need
- You will get paid a feed-in tariff for any surplus energy that goes into the grid
Negative:
- The feed-in tariff can vary based on location and power retailer
- In case of a power blackout, grid-tie solar panels will not work (from safety reasons)
So, what is a hybrid solar system?
In Australia, a hybrid solar system will usually describe a solar panel system that is connected to the grid, and at the same time has batteries for backup. In other words, you can look at it as a hybrid between the grid-tie and stand-alone system.
Note that a hybrid solar system sometimes can refer to a solar panel system that is driven by more than one energy source. An example is solar panel systems that also generate power from wind. However, in most cases it will refer to a grid-tie system with batteries.
Positive:
- You will have access to power even during a power blackout
- Surplus power can be sent through the grid, and will give you a feed-in tariff
- You can enjoy benefits from both systems
Negative:
- High-maintenance
- Complex installation with many components
- Expensive
How do hybrid solar panel systems work?
A hybrid solar system will generate solar power when sunshine hits the solar panels on your rooftop. Some of this energy will be used for your household’s working appliances, like the refrigerator and the A/C system.
Any excess power will usually be directed to your batteries. As soon as the batteries are charged, surplus power will flow into the connected power grid. When it is dark outside, your appliances will use stored power from the batteries.
If the backup batteries run out of power, and there is no electricity produced by the system, you will get your power from the grid.
How much does a hybrid solar system cost?
A hybrid solar system will in most cases cost significantly more than a normal stand-alone or grid-tie system. The exact cost will depend on which state you live in, as the solar rebates might differ from zone to zone.
However, you will typically pay around $16.000 to $21.000 for a standard 6.6 kW system with a 10 kWh sized battery. In comparison, a standard 6.6 kWh system without a battery will usually cost around $6.000 to $8.000.
The battery itself will typically cost anything from $10.000 to $12.000. The high cost makes hybrid solar panel systems a less popular choice than grid-tie systems without battery backup.
Are you ready to go solar? Find a solar panel system that fits your needs – with or without batteries. Good luck!