Back Up Generators For Off Grid PV Systems

 When it comes to designing off grid PV systems for your home/cabin/resort located in places where grid power is not available, one of the major components is the creation of a “back-up” power system that steps in when the PV arrays are not producing enough power to charge your batteries (i.e., at night, consecutive cloudy days, or massive snowfall conditions).  Thus, the primary back up component to your PV electrical system is the standby generator.  The generator is designed to be remotely started by the inverter only when one of three following items occurs:

  1. The battery bank reaches an unacceptable level of voltage for a specified period of time and requires recharge assistance from some source other than the PV array;

   2. The load requirement within the dwelling is too much for the inverters to handle for a specified period of time, and the inverter will start the generator for power assistance;

   3. The programmed exercise time is reached and the inverter fires up the generator for a specified time length to circulate the oil and charge the generator battery.

 Hydro Electric LLC is an authorized dealer for Kohler generators, and every off grid system we are associated with incorporates the use of air cooled Kohler generator.  When it comes to residential generators, the Kohler difference is easy to see. Kohler has produced home standby generators, residential emergency generators, and backup power devices since the 1920s.

 These air cooled Kohler generators come in 8.5 kW, 12 kW, and now 18 kW sizes, all with a five-year warranty and are enclosed within sound attenuating enclosures (68 dB(A) at 23 ft.).  In addition, they come with oversized alternators and are easily converted in the field to handle either LP Vapor or Natural Gas fuels.

 Please visit the Kohler Residential Generator web site link below for more information:

http://www.kohlerpower.com/residential/sectionfront.htm?sectionNumber=13561