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Load shedding is here for the next 18 months said new CEO Andre de Ruyter early February 2020, as Eskom will repair its current systems. This creates a big risk for the people of South Africa, but the good news is that the president is now allowing registrations for small scale distribute generation for own use under 1 Mega Watt (MW).
One of the biggest concerns as South Africans is home and business security. Our ongoing energy crisis, in the form of load shedding, can leave homes in a vulnerable position, without night lighting, alarm, surveillance, electric fence systems, and other security measures. This is where alternative backup powered systems come in, quickly becoming financially viable and beneficial across South Africa. Integrated IP Solutions has a solution for you. Environment friendly green energy solution.
When Eskom cuts the power, essential appliances often become non – operational. This is not only annoying but can make the lives easier for burglars. With the correct back up system, these features can remain functional, thus allowing peace of mind. Here’s a basic list of those possible essentials and extras if you like.
Line-interactive (UPS)
This is basically a complete unit housing a small bank of batteries which is wired internally so that you have a seamless transition in the event of power failures. The built-in inverter converts the DC battery voltage into the AC voltage needed to run appliances which offers the most basic features providing surge protection and limited backup battery reserve.
(UPS) uninterruptible power supply makes it possible for you to run some of your basic electronic equipment such as ADSL/ fiber network router, cell phone chargers and laptop during load shedding.
Many of these systems are portable, which means it can be used when and where the power goes off. Power inverter systems offer enough electricity to power a few appliances during load shedding.
Solar panels can be combined with a battery and inverter system to provide power during load shedding at night. Typical residential solar power kits are made up of the following essential components:
This grid support system consists of an inverter/ charger and batteries. When Eskom is online, the charger charges your batteries and when Eskom is off-line, the inverter takes power from the batteries and converts this to 220V. This inverter power feeds your home or office making you independent of Eskom. Integrating solar solutions will make you even more independent, whilst also saving you electricity and money.
The name speaks for itself in that this system is a combination of the Grid-Tie and Island Systems. The system does require batteries which makes it more expensive than a Grid-Tie System, but not as many batteries as the Island System. It requires fewer batteries as it is also still connected to the Eskom Grid.
The solar panels generate energy from the sun.
This energy converts from DC to AC current through an SMA Inverter and charges up your battery bank. The batteries are your back up for evening use.
During the day your house will run off the ‘solar energy’ with any extra energy charging your batteries.
At night or when there are periods of low ‘solar energy’ during the day, your system with the use of a Victron Inverter will then draw from the battery back-up.
A drawback to the system is that it has a limited number of batteries which means that should we have really bad weather for a few days in a row that don’t allow the solar panels to generate enough energy you may still need to tap into the grid for some of Eskom’s power.
Major positives about this are that most of the time you will not have to worry about load-shedding or drawing power from Eskom.
This is the kind of system you would use if you are in a more remote area where there is no access to Eskom power or if there are big problems with power cuts for days or weeks on end.
The solar panels generate energy from the sun.
This energy converts from DC to AC current through an SMA Inverter and charges up your battery bank. The batteries are your back up for later use.
During the day your house will run off the ‘solar energy’ with any extra energy charging your batteries.
At night or when there are periods of low solar energy during the day, your system with the use of a Victron Inverter will then draw from the battery back-up.
A drawback to the system is that it is the costliest of all of the systems available and that is normally due to the cost of the high number of batteries that are required to keep you running at all times.
Major positives are that once you have installed this you never have to worry about
paying for electricity or having load shedding again.
UPS
Accepts AC and converts to DC to charge batteries and then converts back to AC to supply power to the load.
Off-Grid
Similar to UPS, but accepts DC from solar panels.
Hybrid
Combination of off-grid and grid tied as it can offer grid power when batteries are charging and battery power when the grid is down.
Grid-Tied
Compares the grid and offers the most efficient and cost-effective power to the grid.
Panels
Determined by the load requirements and is limited to space constraints on the mounting structure and shade issues.
Mounting
The panels need a structurally sound platform to be mounted onto to prevent panel damage and damage to surrounding areas.
Cabling
Selecting the correct size and type of cable is essential to prevent cable and system failure as the limited current can flow through specific size cables.
Batteries (where required)
Battery environment limits the lifespan of certain batteries. Battery types are gel, lead acid, lithium, and super capacity.
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