Harnessing the Power of the Sun
Sunlight is abundant and powerful - the sun supplies us with limitless amounts of clean energy each day. Solar or PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels turn (sun) light into electricity, even on cloudy days.
The electricity generated by the solar panels can be used directly to power an (remote) application like a water pump, attic fan or streetlight. It can also be used to power appliances and lighting in your cabin, house or business either off-grid or tied into the utility grid (grid-tie). Any excess energy can be stored in battery banks for later use or "stored" in the grid using "net-metering" (selling back energy to BC Hydro).
Solar Power System
PV modules (or panels) are the solar-electric system's main component, where sunlight is used to make direct current (DC) electricity. Other components in your system such as charge controllers, disconnects, and inverters, enable the electricity from your solar modules to safely power your electric loads.
Solar modules are available in many sizes, voltages and formats. Modules are virtually maintenance free and very long lasting (most manufacturers offer 25 year warranties). Solar electric systems are easily expanded and produce no Greenhouse Gases.
Grid Tie
Grid-tied, or utility interactive (UI), solar systems route the generated solar electricity to the electric utility grid, offsetting a home's or business's power consumption and, in some instances, even turn the electric meter backwards. In most areas of British Columbia, BC Hydro now offers a net metering program that allows Renewable Energy producers to sell back surplus electricity. Living with a grid-connected system is no different then living with grid power, except that some or all of the electricity you use comes FREE from the sun.
Grid Tie with Battery Backup
Same as above, but the inverter also uses electricity stored in a battery bank for backup situations where the power is out. Typically, a limited number of loads are run by this battery bank.
Off Grid
Although they are most common in remote locations without grid service, off-grid solar electric systems can work anywhere. These systems operate independently from the grid to provide all of a household's electricity. That means no electric bills and no blackouts.
Off-grid solar electric systems can be sized to provide power during cloudy periods when the sun doesn't shine. But sizing a system to cover a worst-case scenario, like several cloudy weeks during the winter, can result in a very large, expensive system that will rarely get used to its capacity. To spare your pocketbook, we can size the system moderately. One may consider a generator or hybrid system to get through those occasional sunless stretches.
Backup Systems
Another option is to use an Off Grid style configuration as a Backup System. When there is a power outage, a smaller Battery Bank will power a limited number of loads. A generator may also be tied into this type of system.
