Forbes Batteries are your local off grid Solar System Specialists operating in Toowoomba for over 30 years. We supply & install the Best Off-Grid Products from the Biggest Brands, installed by the best people, with the best after sales service. If you’d like to join the solar power campaign and you appreciate a high quality off grid solar panel & battery system install, that is designed to go the distance and outperform our competitors products, look no further than Forbes Batteries in Toowoomba
Off grid solar systems, also known as stand alone solar systems, provide grid like electricity in areas where grid power is either unavailable or directly replacing expensive or unreliable grid power. Off grid solar systems consist of roof- or ground-mounted solar panels, a MPPT solar charge controller, a battery bank to store energy, an Inverter/Charger to act as an interface between the different inputs along with an integrated backup diesel generator.
The system size is infinitely variable, Forbes Batteries has designed set ups that supply energy to run a fridge and TV, to supplying a complete island or remote community with electricity.
In larger systems there is often a diesel generator integrated to assist in periods of higher than usual demand or to act as a backup for extended periods of bad weather. Other renewable sources like wind and hydro can also be integrated if the environment allows for this.
Compared to older off-grid systems, Forbes Batteries only design and install equipment with leading-edge off-grid technology as modern off-grid technology is very easy to maintain, fully automated and can be monitored and controlled online. A further benefit of modern off-grid systems is the quality of the power they produce. This power quality is often better than the average grid electricity and will extend the lifespan of your appliances and machinery.
All the off grid solar power systems installed by us are automated off grid systems. They truly are a mix of different technologies, designed to be maintenance free, automatically switching on generators when needed.
AC/DC Coupled Systems
Depending on how much research into off grid solar systems you have done so far, you may or may not know the difference between AC coupled and DC coupled systems. In a DC coupled system the energy flows from the solar panels through an MPPT charge controller and then straight into the battery. An AC inverter / Charger like the Victron MultiPlus or Victron Quattro is connected to the battery and, when needed, takes the stored power from the battery bank to supply 240v AC power. Depending on the generator, it can also automatically start and stop the generator as needed. Our whole off grid solar system is managed by a Victron Color Control Monitor which manages and directs power across the whole off grid system. A DC coupled solar system minimizes conversion losses by flowing power straight into the batteries and charging them.
In AC coupled systems we install an AC inverter (almost like a standard grid-connected inverter) which will turn the DC power from the solar panels directly into usable AC power. A bi-directional inverter or so called Inverter-Charger like the Victron MultiPlus or the Victron Quattro is then used to charge and discharge the batteries. Depending on the generator, it can also automatically start and stop the generator as needed. Our whole off-grid solar system is managed by a Victron Color Control Monitor which manages and directs power across the whole off-grid system.
To get the best out of both methods we often design systems that have both, AC inverters and DC chargers. In those systems the DC side can fill up the batteries for night time usage with minimum losses, while the AC side covers your loads during the day with minimum losses. This method has been proven to be very efficient and is one of Forbes Batteries key advantages over our competitors.
Sun shines on the solar panels, generating DC electricity that is fed into a regulator (MPPT). The regulator controls the amount of charge deep cycle (solar) batteries receive. 12-volt appliances can be run directly off the batteries or the current routed through an inverter which converts it to AC electricity; suitable for running standard home appliances.
Please note. These systems are designed for stand alone applications and will not feed power back if connected to the grid. Please see our
Grid & Hybrid Battery Packages here if you are connected to the electricity grid and need a solar system.
Jinko 370W Offgrid Solar Packages
2.2KW Package
6 x 370W Jinko Panels
Victron 3KVA Inverter / Charger
Victron 150V/35A MPPT Controller
Victron Color Control Monitor
Price: $7,799.00 Installed after Government Rebates Price does not Include Batteries
$245 per Month* * per Month price is based on 36 month Finance Period
2 People
4 People
2 Bedroom Cottage
3-4 Bedroom House
LED Lights
1 Fridge
TV
Pressure Pump
Gas or Separate Hot Water
Gas Cooking
Electric Oven / Cooktop
Ceiling Fans
Computer
Washing Machine
Microwave
Dishwasher
Gaming Consoles, Surround Sound & Periferels
Reverse Cycle Air Con (1-2 hours / day)
