Photo Voltaic Power SystemsPhoto voltaic power systems generate electrical power from sunlight. If mains power is available, most residential systems connect to the grid so that excess electricity can be supplied to the network for credit, and mains power from the grid can supply the difference between power from the photovoltaic system and household demand.We advise on sizing and locating photovoltaic systems and provide contacts of local installers. The power output of PV panels is normally quoted as the peak power output of the panels. This is the maximum possible power output in ideal conditions. The panels will generate less power if the panel temperature is above 25 deg C, or if the panel is not directly facing the sun. The output also decreases slightly over time. Most PV power systems lose almost all of their power if just a small area of the panels are shaded. It is very important to avoid shading of the panels as much as possible. The ideal orientation of panels which are grid - connected in Sydney is approximately 30degrees from horizontal and facing true north. The average daily power output from an ideally oriented unshaded PV power system in Sydney is approximately estimated by Average daily power output (kWhrs/day) = Panel Peak Power Rating (kiloWatts) x 4.5 (hours) RebatesThe NSW government has legislated that power utilities to pay 60 cents for every kilowatt hour produced for 7 years from 1 Jan 2010. This is called a Gross feed-in tariff because it is paid on all the power produced by the system. The initial annual return from this tariff for an ideally oriented unshaded system can be estimated asAnnual return ($/yr) = Peak Power Rating (kWatt) x 800 For domestic and community building systems there are rebates available under the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP), administered in each state and territory on behalf of the Australian Greenhouse Office. For details of this program see: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au The Australian National University Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems provides lots more useful information here. |
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