What is Solar PV?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a technology that has been around since the 70’s and converts the sun’s rays into usable electricity for your home or business. You save money by generating your own electricity from the sun
- Large solar panels are put onto your roof at your home or at your business that takes the sun’s rays and converts them into direct-current (DC) electricity.
- These panels connect up with an inverter that converts the direct current (DC) into usable alternating current (AC), which we can use to power your home or business.
- When you add batteries for energy storage, you will be able to have power even when the grid is down.
- The solar system’s inverter connects to your electrical network at your home or business and integrates with your utility’s grid. You get the best of both worlds - electricity from your solar system when the sun is shining and from the grid when you need it, which means you always have electricity.
What kind of solar PV systems can you get?
Storage only
A battery only system is an affordable option if solar doesn't make sense for your home. The grid charges the battery, which stores electricity to be used during peak times or in the event of a power outage.
Hohm's storage solution enables you to add solar panels to your system in the future.
Grid-tied solar
A grid-tied solar system is the most traditional method of harnessing energy from the sun. Here, you are still connected to the grid while allowing you to supplement your energy needs when the sun is shining.
This solution also helps you save on your electricity bills by feeding in excess energy back into the grid.
Hybrid solar system
Solar system which combines the best of both a grid-tied and off-grid system. Here, you are still connected to the network and have batteries for backup energy storage. When load shedding happens or the grid goes down for whatever reason, you can run your appliances that are connected to the inverter for a period of time.
This depends on how many batteries are connected. This solution also helps you save on your electricity bills.
Off-grid solar
Solar system which includes batteries for backup power. Here, kilowatt hours (kWhs) generated from your solar system are stored in large battery banks. What makes this setup so unique is that you act like an island and are completely removed from the grid.
It doesn't matter if the grid is up or if there is load shedding, you run a system that is completely independent. This usually comes with a large upfront cost due to the number of batteries needed as well solar PV panels.