Hybrid Solar System
As solar systems are available in three variants, have you ever wondered if a solar system could be designed to include the features of the other two? It’s true. The cost-effectiveness and the ability to sell electricity, which is characteristic of an on-grid solar system, combined with the energy independence offered by an off-grid system, have motivated inventors to create a solar system with dual functionality. This is known as a hybrid solar system.
Let’s dive deeper into how a hybrid system is changing the world with its remarkable technology!
What is a Hybrid Solar System?
A hybrid system provides you with the features of both on-grid and off-grid solar systems, connecting to the main electric grid connection and having battery storage as well. Unlike on-grid solar systems that rely purely on the electric grid, or off-grid solar systems that are entirely independent, hybrid systems offer energy independence, the ability to sell excess electricity, and uninterrupted power through battery storage, especially during nights or cloudy conditions.
This solar system is capable enough to not only run your all household appliances but also generate a passive income for you with net metering facility. It can reduce fossil fuels, carbon footprint, and your high electricity bills to half and even zero if you install more batteries. With its battery storage feature, this solar system makes you energy-independent and allows you to have a stress-free lifestyle in this habitual load-shedding in Pakistan.
Before you decide to embrace a hybrid system as your primary renewable energy resource, you should know more about the functionality, components, advantages, disadvantages, and pricing of this solar system. Let’s explore one by one;
How does a hybrid solar system operate?
This solar system starts producing electricity with PV cells when solar plates are exposed to sunlight. The solar plates produce direct current (DC) electricity from sunlight but household appliances need alternating current (AC) electricity. In this case, a hybrid inverter comes into the ground to convert the DC electricity into usable AC electricity and ensure the smooth flow of electricity to the switchboards.
If your hybrid system is producing more electricity than your appliances’ requirement, the switchboards are responsible for sending the extra electricity produced by your solar system to the batteries for power backup. Batteries store the electricity until you need to use them as a second source of electricity at night or during cloudy weather conditions when the solar system does not produce electricity due to unavailability of the sunlight.
If your hybrid system is still producing extra electricity after getting the batteries fully charged, you will have two options. One option is to add more batteries to your solar system by which you can get the extra power backup for long-term load shedding or bad weather conditions. The second option is more interesting in which you can sell your extra produced electricity back to the public grid via net metering facility.
Components of a Hybrid Solar System and their Role:
This hybrid system consists of the following components;
Solar Panels
The solar panels are the main component of any type of solar system, including a hybrid system. Solar plates start producing the direct current electricity being exposed to the sunlight.
Hybrid Solar Inverter
As your household appliances require alternating current electricity to run, a hybrid solar inverter is responsible for converting the direct current electricity to usable alternating current electricity. It also controls and monitors the charging and discharging of the batteries.
Battery
Batteries store the excess solar energy produced by the solar system and allow you to use them as a power backup resource when solar plates do not generate enough electricity during insufficient sunshine, specifically at night or in bad weather conditions.
Charging Controller
Charging controller acts to prevent the overcharging of batteries. The components ensure long battery life, efficiency, and the performance of the solar system.
Grid Connection
A hybrid system is connected to an electric device that interlinks your solar system and the main electric grid by which you can sell the excess amount of electricity produced by your solar to the main grid via net metering. This device also helps you to buy electricity from the main grid if your electricity demand is more than the supply.
Net Metering System
By embracing net metering facility, you can sell your extra produced solar energy back to the grid for some extra cash, thanks to its inventor. You can also apply for the adjustment of electricity unit plus-minus in your bill account.
DC Disconnect Switch
It is a safety device that disconnects the solar supply in case of any emergency such as fire, sparking and prevent your solar system from short circuit during summer. This device is responsible for ensuring the smoothness of the current flow.
Monitoring & Communication System
Some hybrid systems come with a monitoring system that allows you to track the overall performance and operations of your solar system. It tracks the battery performance, efficiency, and capability of solar panels to produce electricity and enables you to make adjustments accordingly.
Importance of Batteries in Hybrid Solar System:
The installation of batteries can provide several benefits as they store clean and renewable solar energy as a power backup resource when the solar plates do not produce enough electricity to run all your appliances. This feature of a hybrid system gives you energy independence and provides you with a stress-free and eco-friendly environment.
If your solar plates are unable to generate electricity, especially in the winter season where the sunlight remains invisible for a longer period due to foggy conditions, these batteries can get the electricity from the main grid to be charged and can still power your household appliances.
Benefits of Batteries in Hybrid Solar System
There are numerous benefits of batteries in a hybrid system as they can;
Key Features of the Hybrid Solar System
Electricity Production
The photovoltaic (PV) cells produce electricity when the electrons of solar panels are energized by daylight. This process generates the current which flows to the hybrid inverter by connected wires.
Current Conversion
Solar panels produce solar electricity in the form of direct current (DC) which is converted by a hybrid inverter in alternating current. After that household appliances are connected with this alternating current of 240V.
Power Backup
The battery stores the excess electricity which is traveled by the switchboards to the batteries until the full charge according to the capacity.
Net Metering Facility
If your solar system is still producing the electricity even after batteries getting fully charged, you can sell your extra power to the main electric grid or adjust the credit amount of electricity units in your bills.
Types of Hybrid Solar System
A hybrid system has multiple types which are here;
Solar Diesel Hybrid System
A solar diesel hybrid system combines PV cells with diesel gensets for power generation. This type of hybrid system acts as a bridge between the load system and the electricity produced by the PV cells. This hybrid system is designed to get the benefit of both solar power and diesel generation.
Solar PV Wind Hybrid System
A solar PV wind hybrid system is a renewable energy resource that combines PV panels and wind turbines to produce electricity. It is not an effective solar system like others but it can reduce the traditional fossil fuels. When the sunlight remains low but the wind speeds are high, the connected wind turbines generate power.
Solar Thermal Hybrid System
This type of hybrid solar system is the most effective and efficient as compared to the other traditional hybrid systems as its lifespan is around 20 to 25 years. It can also be used for heating purposes such as domestic water heating, space heating, pool heating, and industrial process heating. A solar thermal hybrid system offers a renewable and environment-friendlier alternative to traditional heating methods and reduces the fossil fuels.
Pros & Cons of Hybrid System
Pros
Cons
Hybrid Solar System Price in Pakistan
This table includes the cost for 3kW and 5kW hybrid solar systems as well as the range of prices for net metering equipment.
| Hybrid Solar System | Price (PKR) |
|---|---|
| 5kW Hybrid Solar System | 674,000 |
| 3kW Hybrid Solar System | 340,000 |
| Net Metering Equipment | 90,000 – 200,000 |
The cost of all the components may vary from city to city depending on the dealer’s location. However, a hybrid system is expensive than an on-grid solar system due to inclusion of solar battery price. As per an estimate, the price of a hybrid 3 kW solar system is around Rs. 400,000 including batteries whereas a hybrid 5 kW solar system will cost you around Rs. 800,000 in Pakistan but if you want to sell excess electricity from your solar system to the main electric grid for generating passive income with your solar system then you have to buy the net metering facility and pay government fee for that. Similarly, a 1 kW solar system will be cheaper than 2 kW solar system and 8 kW solar system due to lower capacity.
The demand for hybrid systems is increasing day by day because of the price hike of electricity in Pakistan. If you decide to embrace solar technology as your renewable energy resource, then a hybrid solar system is for you!
Conclusion
A hybrid solar system is the best option for your home appliances even in tough conditions when sunlight remains low as it has an energy backup that you can use when you need it. Relying totally on an off-grid solar system seems beneficial but a hybrid system can provide your return on investment in no time by using the net metering facility.
A hybrid system is expensive than other solar systems but its saving rate is also high. So, if you want to shift completely to solar energy then you should go for a hybrid solar system.
