The Kyocera Solar photovoltaic panels are installed on the roof and produce high voltage DC current. This is fed into an SMA Sunny Boy inverter which stabilises the current and changes it into AC current at 230V, suitable for Malta’s supply. The AC from the inverter is then fed into a two way meter (supplied by Enemalta). The electricity which is being produced by the PV system will either be consumed by the household or, if excess electricity is being produced, will be fed into Enemalta’s grid.

The two way meter does two things, it records what amount of electricity is being consumed from Enemalta’s supply and it also records what amount of electricity is being fed back to the grid. Enemalta will then first deduct the electricity that the household ’sold’ to it and then bill for the amount remaining. If more electricity is generated than consumed, Enemalta will pay the household Lm0.03c per unit.

The advantages of a grid connected system are;

1. No storage systems (batteries) need to be purchased by a household.

2. There is no need for a backup system if the PV system is not producing enough electricity to meet the household’s needs.

3. Solar Solutions Ltd will design and install a PV system which takes into account the consumption patterns of each household and maximise the return on the investment.