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Grid Tied PV System with Battery Backup – User Manual
Version UM1142-PV-BT-v1.0 © solarcity 2019
5. INTRODUCTION TO THE SOLAR SYSTEM
5.1 The environmental benefits
solarZero provides your home with 100% renewable electricity so you can reduce your carbon footprint.
5.2 Why solarcity?
solarcity is in business for a purpose: to help create a cleaner world and a sustainable energy future for New Zealand. Our aim is to
revolutionise the energy market and make a big difference in the fight against climate change.
solarcity is the only solar energy services company in New Zealand to be carboNZero certified. We have policies and programmes in
place to measure and minimise the greenhouse gases we generate. Any remaining emissions that can’t be avoided are offset by
purchasing verified carbon credits, making our business carbon neutral. Our carboNZero certification is independently audited by
Landcare Research every year.
The grid energy you purchase from Ecotricity is 100% carboNZero certified renewable electricity. Ecotricity only sources electricity from
wind, hydro and solar.
5.3 How it works
The grid-connected solar power system generates electricity directly from the sun’s energy for use in your home. The electricity which
is generated is used to power appliances, lights, the hot water cylinder and anything else that is drawing power at the time. The battery
system automatically detects when the solar system is generating surplus electricity and begins to charge. If the battery is fully charged,
and the supply from the solar system still exceeds your energy demand, electricity will be exported to the grid. Our buyback guarantee
ensures that when you sell solar power you’re paid the same rate it costs you to buy energy, excluding network charges and GST.
In discharge mode, the battery supplies power to your home when the solar system is not generating enough to meet your total
electricity needs. If your energy demands exceed the inverter’s capacity, or the battery is fully discharged, additional electricity is drawn
from the grid.
The battery is also charged by grid power when rates are low. That stored energy is then used to power your home when grid rates are
high. solarcity manages this for you.
If there is a grid outage, the inverter disconnects from the grid and switches to backup mode. It uses energy from the solar panels and
the battery to power pre-selected circuits in your home .
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