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THE next evolution of solar energy for your home has arrived.
A progression from installing panels and returning power to the grid to off-set the cost of electricity, the next phase in solar is on-site storage.
While always a possibility, the size and cost of battery storage was always prohibitive. With increased technology and reduced economies of scale, the price of storage has been slashed is now more affordable for the householder.
Leeton electrician Dean Stanmore and his company Newlec P/L are leading the way for installation of these hybrid systems.
Using a combination of solar generation, battery storage and a link to the grid, hybrid systems are set to further reduce household power bills.
Dean said the new systems are fuss free and compatible with current usage patterns.
“It will run your household usage, if the array is big enough,” he said. “Whatever is left goes into the battery and once the battery is full it goes back into the grid.
“There’s a screen on the inverter that tells you where you’re drawing power from.
“It all runs automatically, you won’t even know. You don’t get a dip in the lights or anything.”
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- Newlec Pty Ltd
Newlec is now installing systems that are “battery ready” - the bigger your solar array, the more energy that can be cycled back into the batteries and more batteries equals more storage power.
How does it work?
- Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity
- An inverter determines best use
- Power is used to run household appliances
- Power is channelled into a battery for later use
- Leftover power is sent to the grid
I already have solar panels
The reason to change to battery storage is simple - more bang for your buck.
Changes to payment rates for returning solar power into the grid have dropped dramatically and the power being generated needs to go somewhere, so why not your own home?
The solar bonus scheme was originally a 60-cent buyback for putting power into the grid. Now there is net metering, so instead of exporting the power it goes only into the house and in-home storage with any leftover exported to the grid for between six and 20 cents, depending on the retailer.
However, that means a new meter needs to be installed.
Dean is licensed to change previously installed gross meters to new net meters, which have to be installed to allow a household to use the power it is producing.
While power retailers will do this changeover and install smart meters (which they can read remotely) for free, there is a months-long backlog, during which time you won’t get paid as much for generating power.
“You’ve got to weigh up the cost of waiting (for the free installation),’” Dean said.
“To start with, the 60 cents (payback) was an investment.
“I think as that changed, people have just been trying to cut costs.
“If you’ve got a system that has been sized properly, it will halve your electricity bill, at a minimum.
“With a battery, there are more savings, obviously.”
What’s RESU?
The hybrid energy systems now being installed by Newlec P/L use the new LG Chem RESU (Residential Energy Storage Unit) series battery.
These batteries are not only compact in size, but provide enough power for average household needs.
Newlec is using the RESU6.5 in its installations, which has a total energy output of 6.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Compact and lightweight, the RESU battery is designed for easy wall mounting or standing on the floor and can be used indoors or out.
They are dust and water resistant, and quiet so can be installed inside.
When are batteries used?
For an average three-to-four-person home, the battery will cover power needs during high-use periods.
“It is designed to save during that peak period,” Dean said.
“If you’ve got more load it might only last two hours.”
One bonus Dean has noticed is people will use their solar power to effectively allow them to run their air-conditioner during the day “at no cost”. Instead of having a heavy power load for a short period to cool a hot house down after work, they are able to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the day so when they come home it is cool.
“On average the payback on a standard system is four years, with power costs halved,” Dean said.
“A standard system should halve your bill. A battery would reduce it further.”