OUR SOLUTIONS
SOLAR PV
WHAT IS SOLAR PV?
The most common type of solar system is called solar PV. PV stands for photovoltaic, which is the conversion of sun’s energy into electrical energy using semiconducting materials that have a photovoltaic effect.
Solar PV systems are not just made up of solar panels. The system consists of solar panels, inverters, sometimes batteries, and other components such as a charge controllers, cabling and mounting frames. The type of system installed depends on your energy needs. At Thula Moya we offer turn-key renewable energy systems for the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural industries. Your energy independence is our main goal.
There are four different types of PV systems that Thula Moya offers, they are namely; grid-tie, off-grid, hybrid, and micro-grid systems. A detailed description of each can be found below.
Grid-tied
A grid-tied solar PV system is simply a system that is connected to the electrical grid. Solar panels capture the sunlight to produce Direct Current (DC) electricity. This electricity is passed through a grid-tie inverter that converts the DC electricity into Alternating Current (AC).
The energy produced by the system is utilised during the day and switches back over to grid supply during the evening. This offsets your energy usage.
OFF-Grid
Being off-grid means that you are not connected in any way to your grid’s power system. It works by generating DC electricity from solar panels and using it to charge a solar battery via a charger controller. That electricity is then converted to AC electricity using an inverter so that it can power the home or business appliances.
By storing the electricity in a solar battery, it is possible to run a household with solar energy, even at night, or during times when there is less sun exposure. An off grid system also includes a generator as backup incase of periods of extended rainy days or a system failure.
HYBRID
Hybrid solar systems generate power in the same way as a common grid-tie solar system but use special hybrid/battery inverters and batteries to store energy for later use.
This ability to store energy enables most hybrid systems to also operate as a backup power supply during load shedding, similar to a UPS system.
MICRO-GRID
In practice, a micro-grid works in the exact same way as a utility grid, just for a smaller geographic area, like a large building or a local community.
Micro-grids are capable of becoming electrically isolated from the grid in the event of an outage.
When the grid goes down, you need to be disconnected from the grid–or “islanded”–in order to continue to produce and use electricity. As such, one key feature of a micro-grid is its ability to continue operating even when the larger grid goes out.
Grid-tied
A grid-tied solar PV system is simply a system that is connected to the electrical grid. Solar panels capture the sunlight to produce Direct Current (DC) electricity. This electricity is passed through a grid-tie inverter that converts the DC electricity into Alternating Current (AC).
The energy produced by the system is utilised during the day and switches back over to grid supply during the evening. This offsets your energy usage.
OFF-Grid
Being off-grid means that you are not connected in any way to your grid’s power system. It works by generating DC electricity from solar panels and using it to charge a solar battery via a charger controller. That electricity is then converted to AC electricity using an inverter so that it can power the home or business appliances.
By storing the electricity in a solar battery, it is possible to run a household with solar energy, even at night, or during times when there is less sun exposure. An off grid system also includes a generator as backup incase of periods of extended rainy days or a system failure.
HYBRID
Hybrid solar systems generate power in the same way as a common grid-tie solar system but use special hybrid/battery inverters and batteries to store energy for later use.
This ability to store energy enables most hybrid systems to also operate as a backup power supply during load shedding, similar to a UPS system.
MICRO-GRID
In practice, a micro-grid works in the exact same way as a utility grid, just for a smaller geographic area, like a large building or a local community.
Micro-grids are capable of becoming electrically isolated from the grid in the event of an outage.
When the grid goes down, you need to be disconnected from the grid–or “islanded”–in order to continue to produce and use electricity. As such, one key feature of a micro-grid is its ability to continue operating even when the larger grid goes out.
The Business Case
Investing in solar energy for your business has many advantages. Decreased operational costs, reliable energy supply, sustainable energy use and return on investment are a few to name. Solar energy in KwaZulu Natal and South Africa also boasts substantial tax benefits for businesses.
If you own a Company or Trust in South Africa, you qualify for a substantial tax benefit when you make use of renewable energy solutions such as solar photovoltaic (PV) or wind energy under section 12B of the Income Tax Act No 58 of 1962 (as amended). As from 01 January 2016, the depreciation allowance on renewable energy such as Photovoltaic (PV), wind energy and any other solar energy solution, was amended from a three year (50% – 30% – 20%) accelerated depreciation allowance on renewable energy, to a one-year period.
This means that, instead of writing the cost of your solar energy system off as a cost in 3 years, you can now write off your solar energy system in one year, saving the company tax (of 28% in terms of companies) during your very first year of installation. This results in an attractive return on investment for businesses who invest in solar energy.
Renewable energy solutions tailored to you needs
Thula Moya provides renewable energy solutions that are tailored to our clients needs. Our solutions include turnkey off-grid, grid tied, hybrid and micro-grid applications using smart and sustainable technologies
Whether you want to use renewable energy to pump water from your boreholes or to run your entire farm or game lodge on solar energy, we go the extra mile to ensure you get the system you want and need.
WHAT IS A KILOWATT HOUR (KWH)?
This is a measure of energy and is used to define the amount of energy used over a one-hour period. It is conventionally the unit of power referred to on your electricity bill.
HOW DOES A SOLAR PANEL WORK?
Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy throughout the day and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes and businesses run on alternating current (AC) electricity, so the DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to convert it into usable AC electricity. At that point, you either use the electricity in your house or send it back to the electric grid.
HOW DOES USING SOLAR HELP THE ENVIRONMENT?
Solar power, like other renewable energy resources, has many environmental and health benefits. Going solar reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change, and also results in fewer air pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause health problems.
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