Photovoltaics

ELEMENT:

'Enviropower' cells with a 1.44kW capacity system

AIM:

An connected photovoltaic system (or solar cells) with an inverter is installed on the roof of the house to generate 240 volt electricity. The electrical energy generated by the solar cells on the house is fed directly back into the grid where it is bought by the energy provider (Energex) at a price of $0.28 per kilowatt hour (kWh)(capped at 1 000 kWh per annum). The electricity used by the house is separately supplied and purchased from the public supply grid (Energex). This means that the house has a constant and even supply of energy without the need for storage batteries.

The site receives an average of 7 hours of sunshine a day. Using sunlight to generate electricity reduces the demand on the centrally generated electricity supply (using coal fired power stations) and results in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Overall the photovoltaic system supplies about 30% of the 16 kWh/day consumed by the Healthy Home.

The inverter is an electronic device that converts the 12 Volt D.C. electricity supply from the solar cells into a 240 Volt A.C. supply suitable for export to the electricity grid.
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