GPS specialises in the design, supply and installation of PV (Solar) electricity. Our systems are completely flexible and designed to fit each individual home, lodge, safari camp or any business’s needs. This can be supplementary to your existing supply or complete off-grid where your costly grid connection is not needed anymore.
Using only the best available technology and strong components, GPS will design a solar electricity system that will fit your requirements.
From mobile solar generation to static systems, GPS has the ability to deliver clean, quiet and reliable energy where you need it, when you need, allowing you to be self supporting.
A simple solution
We make it easy and simple for you to change from being dependant on a fossil fuelled power supplier, to supplying your own independent renewable green power.
System type based on grid reliability
System Types
(in order of increasing system cost)
Supplementary
Photo Voltaic DC Power is converted to AC Power and fed directly to the load Excess power is then fed back into the grid. (if allowed)
Advantages:
• Self consumption of PV power• Lower cost
• Highest efficiency
• Ease of installation
• Low maintenance
Disadvantages:
• No backup• Grid off, PV off
Supplementary with backup Genset
This is the same as supplementary but with standby generator connected. When grid is off, PV off. Generator starts up and provides AC reference to PV inverters. PV inverters synchronize and provide power to the load. Mini fuel saver concept since generator does not take full load.
Limitation: PV Power < 20% of Gen Power without PV control. PV Power > 20% of Gen Power with PV control
Advantages:
• Same as supplementary• PV operational when grid disconnects
Disadvantages:
• None other than fuel and refilling required
Hybrid System
PV 1+2 Power is supplementary and fully consumed by the load. When grid is live then PV 1+2 is in supplementary mode. Portion of the PV array is dedicated to the backup facility (PV2). When grid fails then PV 1 disconnects and PV 2 remains operational. AC reference is received from battery inverter/chargers.
Limitation (hence the splitting of the PV array):
• The amount of PV power that can be connected to the battery inverter/charger.• Victron: PV power = Battery inverter power
• SMA: 2 x PV power = Battery inverter power
PV 1 is optional (dependent on required PV plant size).
Advantages:
• Backup facility due to batteries and inverter/charger.• Essential circuits remain operational.
• System in supplementary mode in grid connected scenario.
Disadvantages:
• Non essential circuits disconnected when grid fails.• Increased Cost due to battery component.
• Battery replacement timeframe of 4-15 years depending on how the battery system was designed and/or configured.
Off-grid System
Two modes:
AC coupled – through the use of grid-tie PV inverters. Highest efficiency of 97% since PV power is directly consumed by the load. This system is best used for high daytime loads.
DC coupled – through the use of charge controllers and low efficiency of 78% since PV power is used to charge the batteries and then inverted to the load. (recommended for high night time loads).
System sizing is critical since there is no grid assistance.
Advantages:
• Independence of municipal grid.• Immune to utility tariff increases.
• Backup facility due to batteries and inverter/charger.
• Essential and non essential circuits remain operational.
Disadvantages:
• Much higher cost since batteries have to cater for full load. (No grid assistance). • Battery replacement timeframe of 4-15 years depending on how the battery system was designed/configured.
Helping build a sustainable future
We aim to facilitate and drive mass market adoption of renewable energy, thereby solving economic and environmental issues caused by fossil based power.
