A hybrid solar system is a combination of both on-grid and off-grid solar systems. On-grid solar is an effective option mainly to save your electricity bills. On the other hand, off-grid solar is the best option in case you want to create an energy backup source.
However, both of these solar systems have their drawbacks. On-grid systems cannot work during power cuts and off-grid systems need additional costs for the installation and maintenance of the solar batteries.
Now, if you want to get a 24 x 7 electricity supply along with electricity bill savings, you can choose the hybrid solar power plant. In this blog, you will learn about the different components of a hybrid solar system and their specific functions.
Important Components of a Hybrid Solar System
Every solar system is a combination of different solar components. Here are the components of a hybrid solar system:
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Solar Panels
The solar panels are the most important part of every solar system. It generates DC electricity from the sunlight. This energy is used to run the appliances of your home and to save charge into the solar battery.
Based on technology, there are different types of solar panels such as– polycrystalline, monocrystalline, mono-PERC, TopCon, thin film, etc. Based on your budget, preferences, and installation location, you need to choose the variant.
To install the solar system, you need to get in touch with DISCOM-empanelled vendors. For example, if you live in Kolkata, you can contact a solar company in Kolkata for solar system installation.
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Hybrid Solar Inverter
This is the second most important component in a hybrid solar power plant. It converts the solar system-generated DC electricity into AC electricity. The AC electricity is used to run most of the household appliances. Additionally, it manages the electricity flow among solar panels, batteries, and the electricity grid and optimises storage and energy usage.
Hybrid solar inverters combine the functionalities of a standard solar inverter and a battery inverter, allowing them to manage both solar energy generation and battery storage without needing separate devices. They optimise energy usage by directing excess solar power to charge batteries, which can be utilised during periods when solar generation is low or during power outages. This ensures a continuous power supply.
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Solar Battery
A hybrid solar system stores the excess energy into solar batteries to use later during power cuts. The batteries ensure a continuous supply of power that enhances the dependency on the power grids. The best thing is that you can choose the size of the power backup system according to your needs and the price may increase or decrease on that.
Such a battery is useful when you cannot afford to run out of power. For example, in a hotel business, if there was no electricity during an outage it would lead to bad reviews by the hotel’s customers and harm the hotel’s reputation. In such a case, a solar system for hotels can supply power.
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Charge Controller
The charge controller controls the electricity transfer and voltage between the solar panel and solar batteries. It helps to ensure a safe and efficient charging process to increase the longevity of the batteries. There are two types of charge controllers– Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controllers.
Charge controllers prevent overcharging and deep discharging of batteries. Overcharging can lead to overheating, gas release, and permanent damage, while deep discharging can reduce battery capacity and lifespan. By maintaining batteries within their safe voltage range, charge controllers significantly extend their operational life.
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Wiring
The wires of a hybrid solar system help to connect different solar components. Both DC and AC wiring are used to facilitate electricity flow between inverters, solar panels, batteries, etc. By choosing high-quality wires, you can ensure minimum energy loss and enhanced safety. Always choose a weatherproof wire for better results.
Proper wiring is critical for the maximum efficiency of the solar system. On the other hand, incorrect wiring could lead to irreparable damage to the solar system. For example, if you have a rice mill, the solar system for rice mill must have proper wiring so that it can reduce your electricity bills to the maximum extent.
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ACDB and DCDB Box
To manage electricity connection in your solar system, the DC Distribution Box (DCDB) & AC Distribution Box (ACDB) are important. The ACDB distributes the AC power to the circuits of your home. On the other hand, the DCDB connects different outputs of solar panels into a single string. To protect these connections, circuit breakers and fuses are used.
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Net Meter
The net meter is installed to calculate the electricity bill after the installation of a hybrid solar system. It is a bi-directional meter that calculates both electricity consumption and generation.
By feeding excess electricity back into the grid, solar producers help stabilise the grid during peak demand periods. This reduces the need for utilities to rely on fossil fuel power plants, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing overall grid reliability. Net meter is also an important eligibility criterion for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy.
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Other Components
Some other components of a hybrid solar system are a monitoring system, safety devices, surge protectors, mounting structure, earthing system, etc.
Based on the size, you can get three types of hybrid solar systems– residential, commercial & industrial and solar power system for housing society.
Choosing the correct type of solar panels, battery and inverter from the correct brand, you may contact a professional solar installer. For example, if you live in Bardhaman, West Bengal, you can get in touch with a solar company in Bardhaman to install the solar system.
To conclude, a hybrid solar system combines grid connectivity with battery storage, thus allowing for efficient energy use and backup of power for handling outages. These systems can be customised to meet specific energy needs and can be expanded as requirements grow.
For the best solar installation service, it is best to contact one of the best solar system installation companies in India, Das Energie. On this platform, you can get free guidance from the solar experts. Also, you can get trusted and experienced empanelled solar system installation partners here.