12 Faith Meadows Hybrid System
Overview
12 Faith Meadows is a zero net energy installation, which uses a 12.5 kW grid-tied system to offset its annual energy use, but did not have any emergency generation capabilities. Based upon this desire, a hybrid system was designed and installed to provide a 2 day ride-through for the critical loads in the home. A portion of the solar power system was re-directed through the inverter to provide the emergency power production.
The system shown here is a Outback Systems 3.6 kW 120V single phase grid tied inverter system with a standby battery system which will provide approximately 11.5 kWH in backup power—estimated to meet the home’s needs for approximately 2 days, covering most of the normal power outages experienced in the community. Approximately 1.5 kW of the system’s PV panels were re-circuited to the new inverter.
The pictures of the panels show a normal installation. A power panel providing utility power (on the left in our pictures) has a sub-feed distribution breaker which feeds the grid-tied inverter system (and also provides the return generation interconnection). The panel on the right is the emergency panel and is fed from the inverter. During normal operation the emergency power is fed from the normal panel through the inverter switching to the emergency power panel and operates just like a branch panelboard would. Upon power interruption from the utility the inverter immediately powers the panel from the battery system until the normal power is restored.
The batteries are Outback 200 AH type GH float service batteries and are designed to operate for long periods on minimal float charging while providing deep cycle discharge capabilities when necessary.
Because this inverter is a grid-tied inverter it will also return excess power from the solar panels to the normal power bus whenever the PV system is producing excess power and the batteries are fully charged. This allows the home to achieve its zero-net-energy capabilities and add emergency standby power capabilities
Project Highlights:
- 100% Solar Powered Home
- 11 kWDC Generation Capacity
- .43 HERS Rating (uses 43% of the energy of an average home built to the 2008 IBC Standard)
- Well-based Geothermal Heat Pump
- SIP Exterior Panels and Sustainably Harvested Wood Framing
- Recycled Shingle and Vegetated Roof
- LEED Point Score 113
Monitor PV Power Live
% Power Gen. 100%
Download Specs Sheet:
Learn More:
- Visit www.cpickering.us to learn more about #12 Faith Meadows, WV’s First LEED Certified Home
