Solar power micro-generation with Ground Power Electrical
If you live in a remote area or want to generate your own power, investing in a solar power system can save you money in the future on energy usage.
Ground Power Electrical offers advice in solar power micro generation for going completely off-grid as well as supplementary solar power generation to offset your energy costs. We will help you choose the right components and design a workable system to suit your individual site, home and energy usage, guiding you through the stages of your solar project from start to finish.
Ground Power will help you with:
- Designing an energy efficient home
- Selecting the right battery bank storage options
- Back-up power generation options
- Advanced specialist current inverters to suit your system
- Compliance with council consent requirements
- How to monitor and manage your power usage
Contact Ground Power about your solar power options
Solar power for stand-alone power systems
Nelson has a high average rate of sunshine hours annually, and percentage of sunny days, making solar power generation the most accessible alternative power source for local residents, depending on the site location and positioning of the building.
Stand-alone power systems (SAPS) are becoming more accessible for home power generation, and not just in remote locations, but they are complex and need to be well designed and installed to work well.
A stand-alone solar power system needs to be carefully tailored to your situation and energy requirements. It is important from the outset to get expert advice on the various system, design and installation options, to help assess which options are best for you.
Contact Ground Power to discuss your solar power requirements
Energy efficiency key to sufficient solar power generation
Using less electricity is a lot cheaper than building a system that can generate or store extra. The first step in achieving a workable solar power system is to make your property as efficient as possible.
Operating a stand-alone power system also means you need to pay close attention to how and when you use energy. It’s important to reduce your peak electricity demand as much as possible.
Ground Power will not only help you design the right solar power system for your property, we can show you how to monitor your power savings and manage your usage to capitalise on power generation peaks.
For a site assessment or advice on how to manage your power usage contact Ground Power
Battery storage and back-up generation for continuous power supply.
All stand-alone power generation systems require some form of energy storage, usually involving a set of batteries, and a back-up system for generating power when the primary generation sources fail to supply enough electricity.
Electricity stored in your battery bank is then available when the sun isn’t shining. This also allows you to use more electricity, for short periods of time, than the maximum your generation sources can supply. It is still necessary, however, to keep the electricity demand of your house within the capability of your battery bank and the amount of generation you have.
Stand-alone power systems are often backed up by a diesel or petrol generator. This back-up may come into play, for example, when it’s cloudy and your solar photovoltaics can’t work and your batteries are run down.
Careful design of your stand-alone power systems and close management of your energy use will reduce your need for using your back-up generator. You can also avoid having to use your diesel generator too often, or not need one at all, through a greater investment in generation and battery storage.
For information on available storage and back-up options contact Ground Power
How Ground Power can help with your Solar Power System design
Making your home more energy efficient
Generating heat uses the most energy, from making toast to producing hot water or heating your home. Ground Power can help you identify what alternative energy sources are available for heating water and spaces, alleviating the amount of power needed from your solar power system.
Selecting the right size and type of batteries for power storage
A battery bank can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, and will typically need replacing in 5-15 years, depending on quality, sizing and how often you use them. If your battery bank is too small, it may be discharged at a low level too often, which shortens its life. If the bank is too large, it will cost you more and it may not fully charge regularly, which can also shorten its life. Ground Power will help you choose the right sized battery bank for your needs. We also provide a maintenance programme to help you keep your batteries in good working condition for longer.
Current inverters to match your system’s requirements
An inverter converts electricity from direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC), which most household appliances use. Ground Power recommends using advanced inverters specifically for stand-alone power systems that control your generation units and how much electricity your house is using at any time. We can help you choose the right size and type that is compatible with your appliances.
Meeting the consent requirements for SAPS
Ground Power has extensive experience in designing and installing stand-alone solar power systems that meet the requirements of local and regional councils. We will assist you in gaining the necessary building and/or resource consents, and will liaise with the planning and/or building consent officer at your local council on your behalf.
Contact Ground Power about how solar power micro-generation can work for you
