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Alternative Power Solutions Explained

Alternative Power Solutions Explained

If you live in a country, like South Africa, that experiences frequent power outages, it’s going to make your life a lot more convenient if you invest in and install one of the backup power solutions on the market for your home or business. The luxury of walking into a room at night and switching on the lights is only really appreciated when it is no longer available.

There are various types of alternative or backup power systems available to consumers and businesses, but they all serve the same primary purpose which is keeping your home energised when grid power fails. In other words, having your lights and appliances still work when the power goes out. While it’s great to have several options to choose from, knowing which option will suit your needs best can be daunting. Understanding and weighing up your options, especially when you’re not that sure of exactly what your needs are, are necessary before you make your purchase.

Given South Africa’s ever-deepening electricity crisis, more people are strongly considering installing alternative power solutions. A common question that is asked is whether to go off the grid entirely or install an alternative backup power solution just to cover load shedding or outages when technical faults occur. In the past, fossil fuel-powered standby generators have dominated the market for backup power, but battery-based alternatives to grid power are emerging as an eco-friendlier, more convenient, less costly, and potentially safer option to generators.

While there are other options, the two most readily available solutions will be some form of battery-based solar system and a petrol- or diesel-powered generator.

Despite fulfilling the same primary role, solar backup systems and generators are totally different technologies. Both power solutions are useful, and they each have their pros and cons. The main differences between battery backups and generators are outlined below to help you decide which option best suits you.

Solar Power Solutions

Convenience, reliability, and cost are the main considerations for most people when choosing an alternative power solution. Solar energy is a green, renewable, and reliable power source. The sun predictably rises most mornings and, depending on where your home is located, will provide energy most of the time. The other thing that happens even more reliably is the fact that the sun will not shine every night! The intermittent availability of sunshine means that backup solar systems need batteries to store solar energy for use when there is no sun.

Solar has many advantages as a backup power solution because, unlike generators, they don’t need fuel (usually petrol or diesel). So, while solar power solutions are more expensive to install than generators of similar capacity, solar energy is cost-effective in the long run. Solar power solutions require very little maintenance and have no running costs while fuel is subject to ongoing price hikes. Once the initial capital costs are covered, solar power solutions empower businesses and assist homeowners with energy budgeting by capping the cost of the energy the solar power system provides going forward. In the long run, solar power provides a cost-effective solution to power outages and the savings they provide mean they eventually pay for themselves.

While the cost of solar power has come down steadily since its introduction, opting to get off the grid, with solar is still a relatively expensive exercise. Some of the blame for this cost can be attributed to the ever-declining Rand/Dollar exchange rate because most of the components of solar systems are imported.

Generators as Backup Power Solutions

Despite the relatively high cost of petrol and diesel, generators remain a popular backup power solution. When your grid power fails frequently, and you are forced to do something about it, they offer a simple rapidly installable solution. Generators remain a popular alternative backup power option because they are the most cost-effective, short-term fix. The initial capital cost of a generator will be far lower than the cost of an equivalent-capacity solar solution. They can also be installed quickly and have little aesthetic impact on your business or home. Generators have the advantage of being portable making them suitable for short-term requirements or if a move from your current premises is on the cards. Generators are extremely flexible power solutions. They come in a vast range of sizes and can be configured to produce AC output in three- or single-phase and DC output if required.

The upsides of a generator have, unfortunately, to be weighed up against their major drawback. Generators are expensive to run and maintain. The smaller in capacity they are, the more costly each kilowatt of electrical energy they produce is likely to be. They are pricy in the long run, especially if power outages are frequent and of long duration. They can also be noisy and produce exhaust gasses that are harmful to the environment, people and animals.

Standby generators need to be safely and correctly connected to your home’s electrical articulation. They must be installed by a qualified electrician who must provide a Certificate of Compliance for the installation.  Proper installation includes installing a transfer or change-over switch and sub-panel. The change over to generator on mains failure may be automated.

Backup Power Solutions for Commercial and Industrial Users

Large-capacity diesel generators are currently the go-to solution for commercial- and industrial-scale power users. They offer rapidly installable, reliable power at a reasonable capital cost. Large-capacity diesel generators run more cost-efficiently than small generators do if optimised to site conditions. Renewable energy solutions with large battery storage cannot compete against the substantially lower initial capital cost of industrial generators. Battery storage on large scale has declined significantly in cost but it remains expensive. Industrial diesel generators have higher running and maintenance costs but remain a viable alternative for many businesses taking all considerations into account.

Making Solar and Generators Work Together

As a manufacturer of superior-quality diesel generators and a specialist in large industrial units, PacB Power Solutions has a reputation for combining technical expertise and experience to deliver optimum power solutions. Talking to us will deliver the best outcome in terms of cost, reliability, and durability.

We have years of experience in the power solutions industry and can provide expert and innovative advice on anything to do with power generation. The larger and more complex the installation, the more crucial choosing the right solutions provider becomes. Draw on our expertise to help you make fully informed decisions. With our dedicated renewable energy arm, we offer residential, commercial, industrial and utility-scale solar solutions. PacB has a portfolio of large installations including integrated diesel generators and solar hybrid solutions. Leave questions like voltage and frequency, peak demand, harmonics and total power required to the experts. Contact PacB today for tailor-made power solutions.