Understanding Three Phase & Single Phase Energy for Solar Systems

Improvements in sustainable energy consumption have impacted how households and workplaces reduce everyday energy costs. Solar panels have become a popular means of providing cost-effective household energy.

Introducing solar panel systems into your home is a step that requires evaluation of your existing power connection. When choosing a solar panel system, it is important to understand the differences between single phase and three phase energy supply.

The term phase refers to the distribution of energy load to different electrical sources. Knowing which type of supply your property uses will help determine the most suitable solar system for your home or business.

What is Single Phase Power Supply?

The main difference between single phase power and three phase power supply is the amount of energy each system can provide. Single phase power supply runs on two wires, one being neutral and the other delivering power. This energy supply is suitable for most households as it can support standard appliances in your kitchen, laundry and bedrooms.

In Australia, single phase power supply is delivering power at 230 volts. Single phase power supply is suitable for most residential homes, however, households using multiple appliances at once can sometimes cause a strain, therefore leading to dips in power flow.

In which these cases may benefit from three phase power.

What is Three Phase Power Supply?

Like the name suggests, three phase power supply runs on four wires, three utilising power and one held as a neutral wire. This amount of power is suitable for much larger projects and can be used in an industrial capacity.

Although most three phase power supply is used for more demanding applications such as large pool heaters, heavy equipment or industrial-grade appliances. Though, it can still comfortably support standard single phase power applications as well, including everyday household needs. The power emitted from three phase power supply is consistent at producing 400 volts and will move easily through different sources.

The Key Differences: Single Phase vs Three Phase Power

Cost

The cost of installation for single and three phase supply can vary depending on the size and energy requirements of the property. Three phase power has a higher upfront cost; however, the benefit is that you’re less likely to need an upgrade later, making it more cost-efficient in the long term.

Single phase power is a cheaper alternative, though you may face additional costs in the future if you decide to upgrade to three phase power.

Installation

The installation process involved in single phase power supply is relatively straightforward as it involves only a single switchboard. In contrast, three phase power supply installation is much more complex due to the amount of work involved, including installing a three phase switchboard and conducting different safety tests to ensure the system operates safely and efficiently.

Solar Panel Systems

Single phase solar systems are used predominantly in most Australian households and small businesses. The design of the single phase systems include solar panels utilising a single phase solar inverter. This function converts DC power from your panels into AC power to use in your home.

The disadvantage of using this system is the limit to the solar panel types you can install. It is often capped at 5kw depending on your connection setup.

Larger buildings, properties or homes running lots of equipment may benefit from a three phase system for solar panel installation. The distribution of power for these systems are consistent and stable across all sources as they use a three phase inverter. The advantage of having this power supply is you can achieve up to 30kw or more, meaning you can generate significantly higher amounts of solar energy.

One consideration to look out for is the extra costs involved in setup and required testing for safety due to the amount of power being emitted.

Electric Vehicle Charging

Electric vehicles using solar energy to charge are a positive option for sustainable impacts on the environment. Charging electric vehicles can be achieved by chargers suitable for either single phase power or three phase power supply.

The rate at which your car will be charged will be much faster with a three phase power supply due to the amount of energy it produces. There are three main types of EV chargers, these are labelled Level 1-3 or mode 2-4. Single phase power supply can handle 10-15 amp, while level two can be up to 22kW, which is supported by 32 amp and three phase power supply. Level 3 is 25kW to 350kW, converting to 40-500 amp on a three phase power supply.

Note: Chargers for electric vehicles can vary in power and speed and will be dependent on the car model.

Considering a Solar Panel System?

Now that you understand the differences between three phase power and single phase power, you may want to consider installing a solar panel system to cut down on your electrical bills!

Deciding on a solar panel system can involve different considerations. Depending on whether you have three phase power or single phase power, will indicate which type of solar panel package you might choose.

Unsure if you have a single or three phase system? Send us your bill and we’ll let you know and suggest the best solar system for your needs.

But fear not, making decisions on the right solar system suited to your property is a decision that e-Solar can guide you through!

As one of Perth’s longest-running solar companies, e-Solar has extensive experience assisting customers in finding solar options that suit their preferences. e-Solar will tailor solar panel packages to clearly understand customer needs and assist throughout the process of incorporating solar energy into their home.

Contact us today for more info!