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Why invest in a gridinteractive PV system?

Electricity generated by a grid-connected photovoltaic power systemwill reduce your power bill and you

may be able to sell surplus electricityproduced to your local electricitysupplier.

Grid-connected PV systems are easilyinstalled and do not need a batterysystem as your existing mains supplyis still available. Once installed, thesesystems are essentially maintenancefree, generate no pollution and are assilent as the sun.

Increasing evidence suggestsinstalling a PV system adds value to

your property.

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The Environmental Protection Agency is Queensland’s lead agency to promote

energy efficiency, renewable power and other initiatives that reduce greenhouse

 gas emissions throughout the state.

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Electricity 

Electricity is an essential part of our way of life in Queensland. It supportsmany of the services that we take for granted such as lighting, refrigerationand home entertainment.

Most of our electricity is currentlyprovided from traditional coal-firedpower stations.

However, with growing concerns over greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts, renewableenergy technologies such asphotovoltaic (PV) cells are increasinglybeing used for domestic electricityproduction.

For the thousands of houses andhomesteads which are far away fromthe electricity grid, PV cells have beensupplying reliable, clean and

renewable energy for many years.More recently, it has become possiblefor households in urban areas toconnect domestic PV cells to theelectricity grid.

Solar energy 

Solar energy is so abundant inQueensland that inland areas haveamong the world’s best solar resources.

Even the small amount that strikesyour roof is many times more than the

energy you use in your home.

The only requirement for its use isadequate solar access, which inQueensland means most areas freefrom shade during the peak sun hoursof the day.

Sunlight can be converted directly intoelectricity by using photovoltaics(solar panels). In a grid-interactivesystem this electricity can be used inyour home or fed into the

electricity grid.Sunlight can also be used to provideheat. For example a solar hot water system harnesses the heat of the sunto directly heat water.

Photos courtesy of Choice Electric Company and Mr John Moynihan

Renewable energy *

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For more informationcall 1300 369 388 visit www.epa.qld.gov.au/sustainable_energy 

email sustainable.industries@epa.qld.gov.au

Where to next?

If your household makes a decision toinvest in a grid interactive PV system,the first step is to contact your 

electricity supplier (Energex, ph. 131253 or Ergon, ph. 131 046) regarding requirements for grid connection.

 You should then consult an accreditedrenewable energy system designer about your requirements and organisequotes and installation.

Suppliers of renewable energyequipment are listed on theSustainability Allies web sitewww.sustainableqld.com

Alternatively, the EnvironmentalProtection Agency can provide a list.

amount of electricity you buy fromyour electricity retailer. The cost of grid connected PV systems variesconsiderably, currently starting fromaround $12,000. You should ask a

designer and installer for a firmassessment and quotation.

Government support

If you install a grid interactivephotovoltaic system to supplyelectricity for your home, you may beeligible for the Photovoltaic RebateProgram (PVRP) - a CommomwealthGovernment funded initiative.

How do grid interactivesystems work?

Electricity is produced by the PV arraymost efficiently during sunny periods.At night or during cloudy periods,independent power systems usestorage batteries to supply electricityneeds. With grid interactive systems,the grid acts as the battery, supplying electricity when the PV array cannot.During the day, the power produced bythe PV array supplies household loads,while excess energy is fed back to thegrid for use by others.

An inverter converts direct current (DC)produced by the PV array toalternating current (AC) used byhousehold appliances and for exportto the grid.

Grid interactive PV systems can varysubstantially in size. However all

consist of solar arrays, inverters,electrical metering and componentsnecessary for wiring and mounting.

What is the cost of a gridinteractive PV system?

The greatest influence on system cost isthe amount of PV modules installed.Other factors include maximum power demand, location, type and quality of equipment, extent of automatic controls

and metering, provision of suitableaccommodation for equipment and theamount of wiring needed.

Grid interactive photovoltaic power systems can greatly reduce the

Renewable energy 

Renewable energy comes from sources that are essentially inexhaustible

such as the sun, the wind and the heat of the Earth, or from replaceablefuels such as plants. Prior to the industrial revolution, these sources werevirtually the only forms of energy used by humans. During the past 150years, we have become increasingly dependent on fossil fuels - oil, coal andnatural gas. Fossil fuels form slowly in comparison with the rate at whichthey are used so they are considered a finite or limited resource.

Using renewable energy can provide many benefits, including:

• making use of secure, local and replenishable resources;

• reducing dependence on non-renewable energy;

• helping to keep the air clean;

• helping to reduce the production of carbon dioxide and other greenhousegases; and

• helping to create jobs in renewable energy industries.

Geothermal, solar, wind, hydro, biomass and wave are all examples of renewable energies.