On Land
The Super Solar Controller can be used in both ON and OFF-GRID environments.
Needs a hybrid inverter and 12 or 48v batteries.
ON Grid
The Problem
You have limited solar input particularly in winter and although you can rely on the grid to make up for any shortfall, you optimise your solar system investment by consuming as much of your own solar output as you can, and buying the least possible from the grid.
The Solution
In winter, solar output drops drastically to perhaps only 10% of what it is in high summer. For sure you can buy in expensive energy from the grid to provide for your needs OR you can install a Super Solar Controller that will help you reduce your overall energy consumption by turning off connected devices when the battery voltage level drops below the pre-selected value. There are three separate outputs each with user configurable low voltage levels. For instance, you could have the Controller switch off the wine fridge first, the water heater next, and then the oven.
OFF Grid
The Problem
100% grid independence puts a big premium on managing your solar energy consumption. If you over discharge the batteries, the whole system shuts down!
In high summer, solar output from a nominal 5Kw installation daily output may be as much as 40Kw – way over your consumption – but in mid winter you may get as little as 4Kw in a day. That is almost certainly below your total consumption. The fridge/freezer alone uses almost that, leaving nothing for anything else.
A great deal of storage is a partial but expensive solution and not using things like dishwashers except on bright days is an essential part of off-grid living.
The Solution
Sensitive personal use of energy is always essential but add a Super Solar Controller to your system and you can be reasonably sure not to wake up to a house without electricity. Your home will have devices that can be switched off without seriously impacting your life and they are in ascending priority order. That is exactly what the controller does; Sitting between your hybrid controller and your mains panel, it has three programmable outlets each of which switches off connected devices at user defined voltage levels. What those devices are is of course a function of what connected devices there are needing electricity. Some examples of devices that you can switch off without major inconvenience: water heater; wine cooler; air conditioning; even the fridge freezer will stand being switched off for a time at night!
