Overview

In general, renewable energy technologies solutions consists of three main components:

1. front-end renewable energy generation: consists of wind turbine(s) and/or solar array(s),

   Click on the above image to view a larger version of the same.

2. balance of system (BOS): generally consists of a charge controller(s), inverter(s), DC/AC disconnect switches, diversion load, AC sub-panel, combiners, wiring, monitoring & metering, etc.,
3. energy storage: battery array, [1] capacitors, grid-tied, water tank (depending upon type of energy storage required), etc. Battery arrays are optional, however, without a battery array, power interuptions due to grid-failure, while their is no sun nor wind, will result in the RETS user to continue to experience grid-power-failures despite their RETS deployment.

It should be noted that in those cases where the solutions offers a complete "off-the-grid" deployment, the solution may require the inclusion of a gas/diesel generator considered part of the "front-end energy generation" component of a RETS deployment, important for charging up the batteries should there be periods of time where there is little or no wind and/or not enough solar energy to generate the power needed to recharge the battery array.

The illustration on the right depicts a typical hybrid renewable energy technology solution, involving both wind turbine and solar array technologies. The various components illustrate the three main portions of the solution, i.e. the renewable energy generation, the storage and the BOS. Typically, the BOS and storage would be installed witin the residence or commercial building. The external components include the bi-directional meter (if Net Metering is required) and the isolation switch (required for Net Metering installations).

Footnotes

1. Detailed description of battery arrays can be found on the SWC website under battery arrays.