Product Description
PV systems are categorized into three types: autonomous, hybrid and grid-connected. The type you choose will depend on your needs, location and budget.
Autonomous systems are completely independent of other power sources. They are usually used to power remote homes, cottages or lodges as well as in applications such as remote monitoring and water pumping. In most cases, an autonomous system will require batteries for storage.
Such systems are particularly useful and cost- effective for summer applications, when access to a site is difficult or costly, or when maintenance needs to be minimized.
Hybrid systems receive a portion of their power from one or more additional sources. In practice, PV modules are often paired with a wind generator or a fuel-fired generator. Such systems usually require batteries for storage.
They are most appropriate when energy demand is high (in the winter or year-round), when power must be available on demand, or if your budget is limited.
Grid-connected systems allow you to reduce your consumption from the electricity grid and, in some instances, to feed the surplus energy back into the grid. In some cases, your utility may give you credit for the energy returned to the grid. Since power is normally stored in the grid itself, batteries are not necessary unless you want some form of autonomous power during outages.
