Grid Tied Solar Electric
Simple, Cost Effective Solar Electric System
A grid tied solar electric system utilizes solar panels to convert the sun's energy into electricity. It is a simplified version of a solar electric system in that it has only solar modules (DC) and utility interactive inverters(AC). Your system produces electricity while the sun is shining. The electricity is then either consumed by the house or sent back into the electrical grid via your electrical meter. Depending on your electrical utility, you may receive a credit for that power that could be used up at a later time.
Net Zero Solar chooses to utilize microinverters from Enphase Energy. Microinverters allow for upwards of 15% more energy harvest from your system because of their ability to Maximum Power Point Track (MPPT) each individual solar panel. When wired in series to a central string inverter, modules that may be shaded, or have different electrical characteristics, can have adverse effect on all other modules connected to them. With Enphase Energy microinverters, those effects are mitigated and your system can maximize the conditions of each individual module. This means more energy produced, more money in your pocket, and a faster return on investment.
The beauty of these systems lies in their simplicity (no batteries or significant maintenance). You need not to be home to realize the full potential of your system, as that is done through the revenue meter and its ability to credit your account for all power sold to the utility.
Introduction to Enphase Microinverters Video | Enlighten Microinverter Communication Video | Sun Tech Solar Modules
Off Grid Solar Electric
Customizable Off-Grid Power
Off grid solar electric systems are where our industry began. These systems utilize the same type of solar panels as a grid tie system but use a different style of inverter, charge controller, and storage batteries. Unlike a grid-tie system, the energy produced from the solar panels (DC) is regulated by a charge controller and routed into a bank of storage batteries. The energy is then drawn from the batteries through an inverter and converted into regular AC power for the house.
Customers who live in remote areas that do not have access to electrical utility lines and need electricity to power their home might choose to utilize an off grid solar system. These systems sometimes are used as the sole source of electricity or in most cases, in combination with a wind generator or regular fossil fuel powered generator as back-up.
Net Zero Solar can build a system customized to your lifestyle as well as your budget. The most important part of the process is to complete an accurate load estimate for your new off grid residence. This provides the information needed to build your customized power system. Please call us to set up a consultation when you are ready to move forward with your dream of a self-sustained lifestyle.
Hybrid Solar Systems
Grid Tie and Off-Grid Combination
A hybrid solar electric system is a combination of a grid tie system and an off-grid system. In this configuration you would have to charge a controller and a grid-tie inverter that has the ability to pull from an emergency battery bank when the electrical grid is down. While the grid is live, the system can use solar energy to keep the batteries at full charge. Acting just like a normal grid tie system, the additional energy is sent through the inverter and into the house via the load center.
While a grid tie system by itself does not provide electrical power when the utility is out, a hybrid system can give the benefit of net metering and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS). Customers would allocate certain "critical loads" that need to be energized at all times. These loads would then always have power even when the utility is out. Again, as with an off-grid system, an accurate load estimate will help us determine how to build your system.
Solar Well Pumping
Simplicity and Reliability
One of our favorite applications for solar power is pumping water from a well, or providing water pressure to a residence. Well pumping systems generally have a solar well pump, solar panels, controller, float switch, and a cistern. While the sun shines, the solar panels send power through the controller and down into the well where the pump then sends water out of the well and into a cistern.
When the cistern is full, the float switch signals the pump to shut off. Solar well pumping systems offer peace of mind knowing that our most vital necessity will flow as long as the sun shines. Simplicity and reliability for customers who do not have the utility grid at their property, or experience frequent blackouts, make this one of the best applications of solar.
Active Solar Water Heating
SunEarth Solaray
The SunEarth Solaray active indirect water heating system offers what we believe to be the most efficient system for our area at the best cost. This system utilizes a closed loop system made up of one or more 4 x 10 collectors, differential controller, pump, and an 80 or 120 gallon water heater with an internal heat exchanger.
The closed loop system is charged with a mixture of glycol and water which gives it the freeze protection needed in the winter months. The controller monitors the collector temperature and the water temperature inside the tank with a couple strategically located sensors. When the water temperature is cold inside the tank, and there is plenty of heat in the collector, the controller signals the pump to run.
This circulates the heat transfer fluid, bringing the heat down from the collector into the heat exchanger, and transferring it to the potable water inside the tank. When the solar radiation is not sufficient, the electric element inside the tank will heat at least 40 gallons of water for use in the residence. This system qualifies for utility rebates, state and federal tax credits.
Passive Solar Water Heating
Copperheart ICS
The Copperheart ICS system is built on simplicity. The water which usually flows into your water heater is first directed to travel to a solar collector normally located on the roof. The water is held in 4" copper tubes that are directly heated by the sun.
When hot water is needed, the water travels from the collector, through the water heater, to your fixtures. This means that by using a standard solar collector, your first 40 gallons of hot water has been heated directly by the sun. If the sun's energy in not sufficient to heat the water to the desired temperature, or if more hot water is needed, the water heater back-up energy supply is utilized. This system can be used with existing water heating tanks, as well as some tankless units.
This system epitomizes simplicity and reliability and also qualifies for utility rebates, state and federal tax credits.
Wind Systems
Both On-Grid and Off-Grid
Our energy producing wind systems can be applied to both off grid customers as well as ones that are tied to the utility grid. Our machines can be used to charge batteries for off grid customers, as well as offset energy needed from the electrical utility. While wind generation in general in not great in Arizona, there are certain areas where it can be a viable energy producer. Every area has it's own micro-climate and we always suggest that if you're interested in a wind system, it's always best to collect at least a year's worth of data with an anemometer to make an educated decision.