10kVA Hybrid home solar system with a 4.4kWp solar array generating on average 19.8kWh daily and 10kW backup storage installed in George, Western Cape.

Energy independence and cost savings are enjoyed by another happy customer in George! Our residential solar installation team finished installing a hybrid home solar system. The home hybrid solar system features two 5 kVA Victron Multiplus II inverters, a 4.4 kWp solar array that produces an average of 19.8 kWh per day, and an ES10K Storagedock providing 10 kWh of backup storage power made by Specialized Solar Systems.

Some key information:

• System design and installation: Specialized Solar Systems
• Application: Energy dependency and energy security
• System type: Hybrid solar system
• Inverter (kVA): 2 x 5 kVA Victron Multiplus II
• PV array (kWp): 4.4kWp (8 x 550W PV panels)
• Average solar yield expectancy (kW): 19.8 kW per day
• Storage (kW): 10 kW from a SSS ES10K lithium iron phosphate battery
• Life expectancy: PV Solar panels: 25 years @ 80%; battery: >16 years (>5 500 cycles) expected life at 80% DoD
• Expected system break even (Capitalization): 5–6 years

Some key advantages of Hybrid solar systems supplied and installed by Specialized Solar Systems:

• If the power generated by PV solar arrays is inadequate to supply daytime loads as well as charge your batteries, the system can recharge your batteries from the grid when a generally lower off-peak electricity rate is applied.
• When electricity usage goes above a certain level nationally, the grid supply may charge you at a higher rate for the increased level of demand. Hybrid systems can provide ‘peak lopping’ where some of the stored power can be drawn from the batteries to help balance power usage.
•  If your grid connection does not have the capacity to supply the required load,  a hybrid solar system will supplement any extra power. This may allow you to avoid a costly mains upgrade to your property.

Hybrid solar systems give you increased energy security and self-sufficiency, lock in current electricity prices, let you choose when to use solar energy, and guarantee a constant supply of electricity.

Background: Specialized Solar Systems Grid-Interactive Hybrid Solar Systems

The utility grid is a virtual battery
Electricity should be used as it is generated. However, it can be temporarily stored as other forms of energy (e.g. chemical energy in batteries).  Energy storage typically comes with significant costs.

The electric power grid is in many ways also a battery, without the need for maintenance or replacements, and with much better efficiency rates. In other words, more electricity (and more money) goes to waste with conventional battery systems.

Additional perks of being grid-tied include access to backup power from the utility grid in case extra power is required or if your solar system stops generating electricity for any reason.  At the same time, you also help to mitigate the utility’s peak load.

Read more about Home Hybrid Solar Systems over here