New Zealand’s unique climate sees most of the country enjoy 2000+ hours of sunshine annually, making New Zealand ideally suited for the uptake of solar PV. Typical solar power systems use roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert this free, indispensable source of energy into electricity suitable for household use on a day-to-day basis.

The most common type of system is grid-tied, meaning it is typically tied to the local power grid. This allows you to export any surplus electricity back to the local grid for credit or purchase additional electricity when and if required.

Solar systems are completely customisable and can be tailored to suit the needs of any home, office, or commercial premises. Together with a focus on consuming power as it is generated, homes and businesses can decrease their power bill significantly. This highly efficient system delivers a stable supply of electricity and ensures that none of the power generated goes to waste.

TYPICAL SOLAR SYESTEM SET-UP

THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR PANELS

Using solar panels is a very practical way to produce electricity for many applications. The obvious would have to be off-grid living. Living off-grid means living in a location that is not serviced by the main electric utility grid. Remote homes and cabins benefit nicely from solar power systems. No longer is it necessary to pay huge fees for the installation of electric utility poles and cabling from the nearest main grid access point. A solar electric system is potentially less expensive and can provide power for upwards of three decades if properly maintained.

Besides the fact that solar panels make it possible to live off-grid, perhaps the greatest benefit that you would enjoy from the use of solar power is that it is both a clean and a renewable source of energy. With the advent of global climate change, it has become more important that we do whatever we can to reduce the pressure on our atmosphere from the emission of greenhouse gases. Solar panels have no moving parts and require little maintenance. They are ruggedly built and last for decades when porperly maintained.

Last, but not least, of the benefits of solar panels and solar power is that, once a system has paid for its initial installation costs, the electricity it produces for the remainder of the system’s lifespan, which could be as much as 15-20 years depending on the quality of the system, is absolutely free! For grid-tie solar power system owners, the benefits begin from the moment the system comes online, potentially eliminating monthy electric bills or, and this is the best part, actually earning the system’s owner additional income from the electric company. How? If you use less power than your solar electric system produces, that excess power can be sold, sometimes at a premium, to your electric utility company!

Batteries and other energy storage devices store energy so that it can be used when needed. In a stand-alone power system, the energy stored in batteries can be used when energy demand exceeds the output from renewable energy sources like solar (e.g. on a cloudy day).

Inverters and other energy conversion devices turn energy from one form to another. An inverter in a grid connected renewable energy system converts direct current (DC) electricity from solar panels or a wind turbine into alternating current (AC) mains power.

Any renewable energy system also includes switches, circuit breakers and fuses to ensure it is electrically safe and allow major equipment to be isolated for maintenance.

Energy by Design uses only the best products the industry has to offer. Our trusted brands all come with exceptional product warranties and have been tried and tested under all types of conditions worldwide.