Backup connection to grid

 

My electrical utility does not want me to connect a Solar power system
to their grid.

I have no problem with that, but there must be a way to have a
connection were most of my power comes from my own Solar power source,
and then high demand instances draw power from the grid.

How is "the juntion" connected so that the utility is happy that I my
system is isolated from theirs, and that I don't have to have a manual
switchover when I need the extra power?

Thanks
Michael

 

The simplest method is to install a batteryless solar inverter
designed to be intertied.  This type of inverter handles everything
automatically.  Assuming you're not going to install enough PV to have
a net positive power balance (feed power back to the grid), the
utility need never know.

There have been a bunch of articles on this in HomePower Magazine,
backissues of which can be downloaded from their site:
http://www.homepower.com .

John


On 21 Jun 2006 04:36:13 -0700, "Michael"


John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.neon-john.com
Cleveland, Occupied TN
Don't let your schooling interfere with your education-Mark Twain

 

Michael a écrit :

I'm not sure about national regulations in South Africa - many countries =

have legislated so that local electric utilitises must let you connect
to the grid as long as you meet their safety requirements.


You should see if you can find an organisation specialised in promoting
photovoltaics in your contry, they'll know more...

Imagine you have 1 electric circuit in your house. If you connect the pv =

to it, and the grid to it, the pv IS connected to the grid, through your =

  houses electrical circuit. Electricty won't know not to go to the
grid, and just because you are not taking electricty from the grid at a
given moment, does not mean that you aren't conencted.

I can't see any way to get what you want unless: low power requireemtns
you operate ONLY on solar, high power requirements you operate ONLY on
the grid, with an automatic or manual switch that physically separates
the pv system and grid from your house circuit when the other is being us=
ed.

What you really want is a back up grid connected pv system with an
inverter that manages grid connection and disconnects, allowingyou to
use energy from your pv system first before going to the grid, however
for this you will need your local utilies approval, and as I said, it
all depends onlocal legislation.



Other wise you could have 2 separate electrical circuits, with low power =

stuff on the solar system and high power on the grid, with no conenction =

between the two...

 

Michael there are intelegent controllers available for the sam pupose
you are talking about.  You can actually program the things you want
them to do like when to use the battery, or solar etc., check out
www.gridpoint.com.

MuMu Moorthi
www.battery-consulting.com

Michael wrote: