Renewable Generation Overview

Electricity generated from solar PV panels is clean and emissions-free.

Moreover, solar PV panels are getting cheaper and cheaper as manufacturers have invested in mega-scale production. In addition, solar PV is the right size for many domestic and building applications – it is worth building in the kW and low MW scale.

This means that, in certain locations, ‘grid parity’ has arrived – electricity from solar PV is equal or lower in cost to the delivered cost from conventional generation sources and is delivered via the high-cost transmission and distribution network.

However, solar PV suffers from one big failing – electricity generation stops when the sun goes away (either due to clouds or at night).

RedFlow Electricity Storage with Solar PV
Many of the installations of RedFlow’s electricity storage systems are combined with solar PV panels.

Our complete packaged household-scale hybrid power stations are one example. These combine solar panels, electricity storage and control systems with a high-quality back up diesel generating set.

The operation is managed through sophisticated RedFlow-designed control systems to optimise the use of clean, solar electricity. For example, with a typical installation supplying a house:

• On a sunny day, all the solar PV-generated electricity is used to run the house, and any extra diverted to charge the batteries;


• If the household demand exceeds the solar PV, the batteries provide the extra electricity needed;


• When clouds pass over, or at night time, all the electricity is provided by the batteries; and


• Finally, if the batteries are fully drained, the diesel generation set turns on automatically. It runs efficiently at full power, supplying the house and recharging the batteries. It automatically shuts down when the batteries are fully charged.

This fully automatic systems provides reliable 24/7 electricity supply. It maximises the use of the solar power, while making minimal use of the diesel generating set and carbon emissions.