WHAT IS A GRID?
In Australia, most electricity is supplied by utilities or electricity corporations from power stations via power supply networks, called grids. These main grids provide power to the majority of Australians using many large coal and gas-fired power stations, large hydro generation schemes and more recently, some smaller scale wind farms and photovoltaic systems.
WHAT IS A GRID CONNECTED SYSTEM?
Solar PV (photovoltaic) systems are the most common type of domestic grid-connected systems. Electricity produced during the daytime by the sun is either used in the dwelling or directed back into the electricity grid, this puts your power usage into credit.
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I GET BACK FROM WHAT I GENERATE?
The rate of the buy back for renewable energy generated varies between states and utilities. It is best to check with your local utility provider. In some states of Australia, home owners are actually paid far more for the energy they produce (input credits) than what they pay for when they buy from the grid.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF NETT, BULK & GROSS METERING?
Nett metering is the difference between the kWh you have generated with your solar array system and the kWh's you have purchased from the Grid. Bulk or Gross metering, is where your solar array is connected to one meter and the normal electricity supply to your house is connected via another meter. The two meters are then summated and your electricity bill will be for difference. Once again it is best to check with your utility provider as to which type of metering they provide.
WHAT IS AN INVERTER?
The Inverter is the “brains” of the system. It converts the DC power from the solar array, into AC power so it can feed back into the Grid or be used by you in your home. Depending on the type of inverter you purchase, it can also monitor the total watts the system has generated daily, weekly, monthly and/or yearly. You can also have this information sent to your home or office computer.
ARE BATTERIES REQUIRED?
No, batteries are not normally required for a Grid Connected System and this makes the system much more affordable and relatively maintenance free.
WILL MY SYSTEM WORK IN A BLACKOUT?
No. Grid-connected systems, will only operate when the utility grid is available. During blackouts the electricity from the Grid Connected System will not work. Firstly, this is as a safety requirement and secondly because the system has no batteries it has no facility to store the energy generated.
WHAT REBATES ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE?
- Be an Australian resident.
- The system must be installed at your principal place of residence.
- The system must be designed & installed by an accredited member of the BCSE. (Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy).
WHAT IS A REC?
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), also known as Renewable Energy Credits, are tradable environmental commodities which represent proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource, e.g. a grid connect system.
These certificates can be sold and traded and the buyer of the REC can claim to have purchased renewable energy.
While traditional carbon emissions trading programs promote low-carbon technologies by increasing the cost of emitting carbon, RECs can incentivise carbon-neutral renewable energy by providing a production subsidy to electricity generated from renewable sources. In Australia, a green energy provider (such as a wind farm) is credited with one REC for every 1,000 kWh or 1 MWh of electricity it produces. (1MWh = 1 RED = approximately 1 tonne of CO2)
A certifying agency gives each REC a unique identification number to make sure it doesn't get double-counted. The green energy is then fed into the electrical grid (by mandate), and the accompanying REC can then be sold on the open market. Under current legislation,residental grid connect customer can re-sell their RECs every five (5) years for up to fifteen (15) years. This will further reduce the overall cost of the system installation.
Eco Energy Solutions will manage all the necessary paperwork for our customers and all REC monies are paid directly to the customer.
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