How Does A Hybrid Solar System Work?

Soneva Fushi PV-Diesel Hybrid System

When choosing the type of solar system for a home, institute, business, or industry, most people choose either a grid-connected solar system or an off-grid solar system. But now there is another option, the "hybrid solar power system". This system is a combination of a grid-connected solar system and an off-grid solar system. It has backup batteries to store the electricity and it can also feed excess electricity into the main grid.

The hybrid solar system works even during power outages, which means that you always have electricity in your home. A hybrid system is a combination of solar storage and grid connection. The system offers the flexibility of being able to store electricity in the batteries generated by the solar system during the day, rather than feeding it back into the grid. The same energy can be used in the evening or at night, rather than being purchased from the government grid at a higher price.

If the system generates more electricity than it consumes, the excess is fed into the main grid via solar network metering. At the time of electricity billing, the government or electricity supply company will adjust the output units in your electricity bill.

Components in a hybrid system

Solar panels

Solar panels are the main component of any solar energy system. Solar panels observe the sun's rays and convert them into DC electricity. The number of solar panels depends on the capacity of the solar system. For example, 15 solar panels of 335 watts are required for a 5 KW solar system and 30 panels of 335 watts are required for a 10 KW solar system.

Hybrid solar inverters

The hybrid solar inverter is the second main component in a solar system. The solar inverter regulates the voltage going to the batteries and your appliances. It can also convert the DC voltage to AC voltage if required.

Solar cells

Solar cells provide you with backup power when the solar panels are not generating electricity during rain or at night. The solar cell stores the unconsumed electricity in it. In a hybrid PV system, you can fix solar cells as required.

Soneva Fushi PV-Diesel Hybrid System     

How do hybrid solar systems work?

The solar panel array in a hybrid solar system is interconnected with an inverter, which is further connected to the solar cells and the utility grid. The solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into DC electricity. This electricity then enters a connected solar inverter which further converts the direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC). This AC power is the standard currency used to power our household appliances and luxury items.

➡️ During the day, if the output of the solar system exceeds your home's electricity needs, the excess energy is stored in the solar cells and once the cells are fully charged, the electricity is automatically exported to the utility grid via 'net metering'. "

At night, you will have 2 options on the inverter grid and up to 50% of the batteries. If you choose government power/grid, the grid will run your load and in the event of a power outage, the solar batteries will power your home. If you choose battery as a second priority, the battery will be consumed up to 50%. If your home consumes more than 50% of the batteries, the additional power required to power your home comes from the utility grid.

Whether the electricity comes from solar panels, solar cells, or the utility grid, your home's electrical performance will be the same.

Let's look at an example to understand it better. Suppose your hybrid solar system produces 100 units a day and you only use 55 units at home; the remaining 45 units will be stored in the solar cells and if the solar cells cannot store that much electricity, the excess will be sent to the utility grid via net metering, thus saving you money on your electricity bill.

Zenergy focuses on micro-gird solutions and fully integrated renewable energy for industry, resorts, islands, and no electricity area to significantly reduce the energy cost and carbon footprint of our clients. If you want to know more information about zenergy systems, welcome to contact us.