Did the power outages last winter leave you feeling scared?
Are you following the news and seeing increases everywhere and would you like to find a way to reduce your electricity bills?
Or are you simply looking for a way to increase your autonomy and improve your energy efficiency?
If so, you'll be happy to know that we've revamped our catalog of "ready to plug in" kits to add a section for network systems. Inside, you will find:
- Emergency systems (backup)
- Net metering systems (network solar)
- Hybrid systems (solar grid + backup)
The goal is to allow you to see what an on-grid system can look like, the devices that make it up, the caveats and the possibilities of this type of system, a bit like off-grid systems.
Emergency systems (backup):
Ice, high winds, equipment breakdown, a breakdown can happen at any time. We know when it starts, but rarely when it ends. To avoid being caught out, the team designed 3 battery system options to take over when a service outage occurs.
First option:
Backup battery system - off-grid
Storage capacity: 3,840W
Inverter capacity: 2000W
It's a battery connected to an inverter, which is as simple as it gets. We do not touch the network, so it can be functional as soon as it is received at home.
A bit like emergency lights, we leave the inverter plugged into a 120V outlet. The device included in the kit is a Kisae inverter/charger which will charge and maintain the charge of the batteries. The device has an automatic transfer switch which ensures that in the event of a breakdown, the device automatically takes over.
We therefore advise you to plug in in advance the devices that must work at all costs, those that must not lack power. These will be powered by house current via the inverter until the emergency system activates.
Although the battery included in this set has good autonomy, the quantity of device, their consumption and their frequency of use can affect the duration of its charge.
Also, you must ensure that the inverter is properly open. You could close it, but in this case the battery would not charge.
2nd and 3rd options:
Backup system connected to the network – 5 and 10 Kw
Are you looking for a solution that automatically takes over in the event of a power outage?
Both of these options may be good solutions for you.
In addition to including a battery bank and an inverter, the system has a secondary electrical box that allows switching from one system to another without interruption or delays. Ideal for electronic devices that must not lack power.
If you are looking for an option that would allow you to benefit from subsidies in addition to increasing your energy efficiency, go to the Hybrid systems (solar+backup) section.
Net metering systems
Are you familiar with Hydro-Québec's net metering program?
This is a measure put in place by the state company which makes it possible to return energy produced by an independent system, say a photovoltaic solar energy system for example, and to obtain credits on its electricity bill.
The two solutions we designed:
- On-grid solar power system (without battery) - 5.4Kw
- On-grid solar power system (without battery) – 11.7Kw
In both cases, it is a set without batteries in order to allow a faster return on investment, designed to optimize production and optimize credits linked to energy production.
Given the absence of a battery bank (a reservoir for energy), the systems do not provide electricity in the event of an outage.
Both sets come with rail systems for installing panels on a roof. As the panels are guaranteed for 25 years, we advise you to redo your roof if it is starting to date. Other installation options exist, but are not included in the online product. Our technicians will be able to talk to you about it in more detail.
To find out more about the net metering program, we invite you to visit the Hydro-Québec website or contact one of our technicians.
It is important to note that :
In Quebec, there are other electricity suppliers than Hydro-Québec, but only the state company offers a credit program on energy production.
Before connecting to the network and benefiting from the net metering program, you will need to request it. Our team will be able to support you in your efforts.
Hybrid systems (solar + backup)
But what do we mean by a hybrid system?
It is a photovoltaic solar energy system that produces and stores energy in addition to being able to send it back to the network. In other words, it is a system that allows you to combine the 2 types of systems mentioned above:
• A backup system
• A rooftop solar panel system that takes advantage of the net metering program
• We would go further by saying that it also increases energy efficiency.
We offer 2 options for these systems:
• Back-up and solar hybrid system - 5Kw
• Back-up and solar hybrid system - 10Kw
These are similar systems that vary in their energy production and storage capacity. In both cases, the inverters included in the systems allow management of energy consumption.
For example, we hear a lot about Hilo, which allows you to program your thermostats so that the house is warmer at certain times of the day and colder at others.
With these systems, you could do the same, but for the source from which your devices will draw their energy to operate. For example, in the summer from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., you could decide to run a large part of the house on the battery reserve (which continues to recharge thanks to the solar panels). And in winter, you change the programming in order to adapt to the hours of sunshine.
Would you like to see what a system like this could look like?
We invite you to see Yves-Christian's project sheet, Having power, rain or shine. In addition, different programs are explained that the owner wants to test in order to increase their energy efficiency.
You can see in more detail all the products mentioned above in the section On-grid solar kit.
If one of the systems interests you, do not hesitate to write to us at contact@altenergie.ca or call us at 1-833-341-1830. You can also complete a request via our custom kit form.
