PV applications

Most photovoltaic systems feed the generated power into the public grid. This is called grid operation of grid-connected systems. Connecting the solar installation to a large grid guarantees that there are always enough consumers available for using the solar energy directly and eliminates the need for local intermediate storage. Power supply is ensured at all times and normal alternating current appliances can be used.

Today, self-consumption of solar electricity is often key for a PV system’s profitability. What does this mean? The more solar power is used directly at the system’s production site as soon as it is generated, the quicker a PV plant will pay off financially (for more information, please visit SwissEnergy).

Solar power can be used to support heating systems and thus helps to increase the part of self-consumption. It is also possible to recharge electric cars with solar power during the day and use them as storage options overnight. In order for the integration of a heat pump or charging station to work optimally, the devices must be intelligently coupled with each other. Plumbers will be happy to support you with this job.

The electricity surpluses are fed into the public power grid and refunded by the local grid operator. According to Art. 11 § 1 of the Swiss Energy Ordinance (EnV), grid operators are obligated to acquire the extra power produced. Art. 12 § 1 EnV defines the remuneration as being based on the costs the grid operators would incur if they were to acquire equivalent third-party electricity, as well as on the initial cost of their own production plants. There are considerable differences in the redelivery refunds paid: see www.pvtarif.ch.

Several apartments or adjoining plots of land can share the power produced by one PV system within private consumption communities (ZEV), thus also increasing the self-consumption rate. More information

Remote objects, such as mountain cabins, holiday homes, SOS phones and parking meters, can use power provided by stand-alone solar installations with batteries (power storage). This is called isolated operation.

These are the features of a stand-alone system:  

• a cost-saving alternative to connecting remote consumers to the grid;

• operation is generally based on continuous current with a 12 V or 24 V voltage; this operation requires special devices and lamps if no inverter is used;
• this type of PV system generally consists of three components: the solar generator, the charge controllers and the batteries.