A Hybrid system is simply a grid connect system that also allows for the storage of the excess power created, and for this power to be stored in a battery system allowing the power to be used when the solar is no longer producing, especially in Peak power tariff periods.

There is a growing demand for Hybrid / Grid Storage systems that contain elements of both.

A grid connect system has a few limitations:

• There is no storage of power – power that is not used is exported to the grid. For those under a net “feed-in” scheme, this benefit is usually a small amount.

• If there is a blackout, your system turns itself off. This is done for safety reasons to prevent a ‘dead’ network to be live with exported power. It also means that your system provides no power to you in the house when there is a power outage.

• You still pay for power at times when your solar is not working i.e. at night. This means you cannot eliminate your bill… you can only reduce it.

There are several situations in which people might want to consider a hybrid system:

• You want to take control of your power and utilise solar as you primary power supplier.
• you want to be electrically sustainable
• You wish to maintain independence in the case of a blackout
• You wish to not suffer the adverse impact of brown-outs (fluctuating power supply)
• You have an oversized system and wish to take advantage of the power they are creating – for example you may have a 5-10kw system which you purchased under the 60c feed in tariff, and have since lost your 60c feed in tariff eligibility due to changes in ownership and account holder.
• You are being billed for Time Of Use and you don’t want to pay > 50c per KWhr, for the peak period tariff (current tariff for Energy Australia ToU accounts is 47.7c + gst for 2-8pm on working weekdays).

You can have a battery backup system designed and installed for you which will give you true independence, without having to disconnect from the grid.