PacB Group // Why You Should Consider Solar Power as a Backup Option

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Why You Should Consider Solar Power as a Backup Option

While it may seem like labouring a point, the stark reality is that not only South Africa, but the entire industrialised world is on the verge of an energy crisis. Not only are our reserves of fossil fuels destined to run out, but the very act of consuming them, and the resulting effect on the environment, poses serious threats to the future existence of all life on earth. Consider for a moment that the original source of that life is a blend of chemicals, combined with the aid of various energy sources, including radiation from the sun. Today, that same solar power offers us an alternative to the toxic combustibles that threaten our planet, and can provide a backup in case of power failures.

All over the world, scientists and engineers have been experimenting with more sustainable methods of generating electricity. Wind farms have also become a common sight. Land-based or offshore installations, which resemble miniature towns composed entirely of gigantic children’s windmills, leverage atmospheric motion to rotate the turbines that drive the alternators to conjure electrical power from the air. The amount of wind, however, tends to vary and may sometimes be completely absent, leaving the turbines motionless. Sunshine is also subject to similar constraints. Thus, in order to utilise solar power for backup purposes, some of the electricity generated must be stored in batteries, allowing this reserve to be used during the hours of darkness or when the mains supply fails.

One of the main advantages of drawing electrical power from the sun, is that, unlike a wind turbine, it offers a highly scalable solution that can be adapted for use by domestic consumers, even if they occupy a relatively small home. The use of the photons in sunlight to generate an electric current is achieved through the use of flat panels that require no footprint beyond the walls of a home, but may also be conveniently and unobtrusively positioned on its roof. Whether solar power will be used as the primary supply or a backup, the more power a homeowner requires, the more panels he or she will need to include.

In sharp contrast to the wind turbines, these panels have no moving parts that might become worn out or accidentally damaged and in need of replacement. Perhaps the biggest bonus for most households when adopting this alternative energy source, is that every kilowatt generated by the sun’s rays they store or consume, is a kilowatt that you will not have to pay for. The impact on monthly bills can be considerable while, consumers, in some areas, who channel some of that backup solar power to the service provider, can qualify for a discount, special tariff, or rebate on their normal utility bill.

Currently, relatively few local consumers are relying on the sun to provide all of their electricity, but the use of panels to accumulate stored electricity for later use in the event of emergencies has been growing steadily, especially among South Africa’s more environmentally conscious industrial, commercial, and domestic users. For each of these groups, the use of solar panels to provide backup power could prove invaluable, especially given the problems still to be overcome by the national network provider in its efforts to maintain an adequate supply during periods of peak use.

The precise details of the installation required will vary according to its intended use, but a hybrid system that is capable of switching between power from the panels and that from the grid is a popular choice. This amounts to an uninterrupted power supply in which the primary source is from the panels, but which can alternatively draw its current from a wall socket.

As experts in the field of power generation, the PacB Group is uniquely positioned to provide sound advice regarding the best solar backup system for you.