Renewable energy technologies like solar (PV) energy, wind turbines, and hydroelectricity are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to the more conventional method of obtaining electricity from the distribution network grid.

Renewables installed for the home, business or farm can be connected to the grid (Grid Connect) where electricity is exported or imported into the grid. Or renewables can be installed as a stand alone power system (SPS) where all the electricity is generated, stored and used at the source.

Benefits of installing renewables:

• reduced carbon emissions which contribute to climate change
• no power cuts if it is a stand alone power system (SPS)
• provides new home builders with a less expensive option compared to connecting to the grid
• provides network distribution companies a cost effective alternative to fixing a line in remote areas by providing a SPS
• grid connect systems can sell excess power to electricity retailers
• large scale up-take of grid-connect systems creates a distributed generation (DG) network that helps ensure security of supply around the country