A grid-connected photovoltaic power system, or grid-connected PV system is an electricity generating solar PV system that is connected to the utility grid. A grid-connected PV system consist of solar panels, one or several inverters, a power conditioning unit and grid connection equipment. They range from small residential and commercial rooftop systems to large utility-scale solar power stations. Unlike off-grid systems, a grid-connected system rarely includes an integrated battery solution,
as they are still very expensive. When conditions are right, the
grid-connected PV system supplies the excess power, beyond consumption
by the connected load, to the utility grid.
Solar-Powered Pumping
A solar-powered pump is a pump running on electricity generated by photovoltaic panels or the thermal energy available from collected sunlight as opposed to grid electricity or diesel run water pumps.
The operation of solar powered pumps is more economical mainly due to
the lower operation and maintenance costs and has less environmental
impact than pumps powered by an internal combustion engine
(ICE). Solar pumps are useful where grid electricity is unavailable and
alternative sources (in particular wind) do not provide sufficient
energy.
