What is hybrid photovoltaics?
Poland's energy policy aims to reduce the use of conventional energy sources. The recipe for meeting the requirements of the European Union is the development of photovoltaics. One of the biggest challenges facing prosumers is to increase the self-consumption of energy produced by a photovoltaic installation. Hybrid photovoltaic installations are meeting these expectations.
What is a hybrid photovoltaic installation?
A hybrid PV plant combines two modes of systems: grid-tied and islanded. The electricity generation process is the same as for a typical PV installation. The hybrid installation makes it possible to increase the use of the energy produced thanks to the batteries. In addition, it makes the prosumer independent of possible grid failures and energy supply interruptions, so we can limit the feeding of energy into the grid and its consumption.
How does a hybrid photovoltaic installation work?
A hybrid photovoltaic installation system differs from a classic photovoltaic installation in that it has the additional equipment of - energy storage. The energy produced by the photovoltaic installation is first used by the electrical equipment in the house, and then the surplus produced goes into the battery. Only when the battery is fully charged does it return the remaining surplus to the public grid. In such a situation, if our consumption exceeds production at any given time (it is a very cloudy day or night) then electricity is drawn first from the battery and, when it is discharged, from the grid.
By installing an energy storage facility, the stored electricity can be used to power the property during a power grid failure, as well as being transferred to the building's electrical system, e.g. at night or during periods of increased power consumption. This reduces energy consumption from the power grid.
Hybrid inverter - what is it?
The hybrid inverter is a device that plays a key role in renewable systems, especially in hybrid photovoltaic installations. Its main task is to convert the direct current (DC) generated by renewable energy sources into alternating current (AC), which can be used in the household or transmitted to the grid. Combining the installation and function of on-grid and off-grid inverters are hybrid inverters. They work like standard grid inverters, but also have the functionality of island inverters (they transfer energy from the PV plant to energy storage).
The hybrid inverter therefore has three roles:
- It converts the current produced by photovoltaic panels, just like a classic inverter.
- Charges energy storage batteries.
- It acts as a battery current converter, converting DC to AC.
A definite advantage of using a hybrid inverter is storing as much energy as the battery allows. An additional advantage is that it can be expanded with further storage clusters, thereby increasing the storage potential.
Advantages of hybrid photovoltaics. Why invest in a hybrid installation?
Hybrid photovoltaics offer the best guarantee of fully meeting a household's energy needs. Some of the main benefits associated with hybrid photovoltaics:
- Stability and continuity of energy supply
- Optimisation of energy consumption
- Energy storage
- Emergency power supply
- Increasing energy independence
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions:
- Economy and savings
A hybrid installation allows the amount of energy drawn from the grid to be significantly reduced while optimising property maintenance costs. The hybrid installation will ensure that the investor will have continuity of power supply in the event of temporary power failures. An important advantage of the hybrid system is the possibility to maximise the use of the photovoltaic power generated by the photovoltaic cells for the building's own needs.
Price of photovoltaic installation with energy storage
The cost of a hybrid photovoltaic installation can be significantly higher than an installation without energy storage. The final price of the kit consists of the panels, hybrid inverter, energy storage, cables, fixings and possible racks. In comparison, the cost of a rooftop PV installation without energy storage and with a traditional (non-hybrid) inverter can be as much as 40-50% less. Batteries for PV are still a relatively expensive solution.
How to reduce investment costs? In the previous edition of the My Current 5.0 programme, it was possible to obtain co-financing of up to PLN 16 000 for the purchase of an energy storage facility and PLN 7 000 for a photovoltaic installation. In such a situation, the investment cost is significantly reduced. The initial expenditure can thus be reduced by several thousand zlotys, and the cost of the entire installation will return after several years. We are currently waiting for the conditions for co-financing in the next edition of the My Current 6.0 programme to be determined.
