Where to start with renewables
Steps For A Cost-effective System
Minimise The Electrical Energy Requirement
- Minimise heating losses
- Optimise appliance efficiency
- Use solar for passive space heating, water heating
- Store energy in water, concrete, brickwork
Choose Your Storage Method For Green Energy
Grid Tie
On Grid, Power Sell Back
- Energy stored in the national grid
- Power purchased from utility in the normal way
- Green power sold back during excess on-site generation
- Power stored at normal 230v mains voltage
- Less equipment
- Cost/benefit marginal with current market sell back rates
- (Currently sell back approx 1/3rd of purchase rate)
- Medium capital cost
Off Grid
Independent Power, RAPS
- Energy stored in batteries
- No connection to an electricity grid
- Heating & cooking loads supplied by woodburner/wetback, gas, genset
- Power storage usually in low voltage batteries
- Greater system complexity
- More equipment
- Cost/benefit long-term and predictable
Renewable Energy System
Remote Area Power (RAPS)
230V power from a battery
Draft and System design.
Free Quotations.
Dwelling Power Supply Type
230v AC Mains
- More components
- All normal 230v household appliances etc
- Inverter required
- Largest capital cost
Low Voltage DC
- Simple, few components
- Lighting/appliances DC
- No inverter required
- Least capital cost
- Largest cable/appliance cost
- Future expansion limited