Grid tie
A grid tie system will enable you to generate electricity to offset your consumption. The majority are based on photovoltaics but wind and micro-hydro are possible on suitable sites. Grid tie systems have no battery, you export surplus production to the grid supply and earn a credit for it.
Because you are still connected to the grid it is possible to run loads that would present problems for a stand alone system. You can keep the electric oven, hot water, heat pumps etc. It is sensible to reduce your consumption as far as possible by employing energy efficiency measures as that will reduce the size (and cost) of the system required to meet these demands but you have more flexibility than when using a stand alone system.
A grid tied system needs input from both a retailer (to accept your exported power) and your lines company (the power will flow through their network). Freedom Energy can organise the necessary permissions to connect your system and assist in changing to the most advantageous retailer if necessary.
Cost saving benefits
Once the system has been installed it starts to pay for itself. In summer you can produce more than you consume and be in credit. In winter you will consume more than you produce and use that credit. If correctly sized, over the course of a year the system will produce as much electricity as you consume so your total annual power consumption can be nil! Just the time of production and consumption will be different - you are using the grid as a battery to "store" your surplus. Because the grid tie system has no chemical battery there is effectively no ongoing runnning cost. Nothing needs to be replaced on a regular basis. Maintenance is minimal, just ensuring the solar array does not become dirty.
If the price of power increases, in most cases the rate which you are paid for your export power will increase and keep pace. You won't have to worry about price increases and the system simply pays for itself faster! Given the double digit annual cost rises for electricity seen in many locations, it is quite feasible that sytems will earn well above their cost within reasonable time frames and offer better returns than many "safe" investments currently do!
Good for the environment
The compnents of a system are selected for quality and long service life. Most good photovoltaic modules carry 25 year performance warranties with a working life well in excess of this. Manufacturers are increasingly striving to make products that are easier to recycle.
With your grid tie system you are taking responsibility for your electricity consumption. Hopefully the operation of the system will raise your awareness of other aspects of your life that are reliant on outside services and enable you to make choices that reduce your impact on the environment.
It is desireable that discussions about a grid tie system and energy efficiency take place before any fixed decisions are made about appliances for a new house but a system can usually be easily installed on an existing building as part of an energy efficiency makeover.
