In general deviations in the system inclination between 0-45° are not counted as being problematic and can be compensated by the expansion of installed power by addition on solar panels or solar collectors (this applies particularly to the thermal solar systems). The table below depicts the various different roof inclination Read more…
Overcurrent Protection Device (OCPD’s) is critical to personal safety and protection from a number of hazardous conditions that can result from materials igniting due to improper overload protection or short-circuit protection. Overcurrent protection devices are meant to protect against the potentially dangerous effects of overcurrents, such as an overload current Read more…
Over the past couple of years, battery technology has improved significantly with many new lithium battery types emerging as manufacturers explore different ways to add or couple batteries to new or existing solar systems. The original Tesla Powerwall was the first ‘high voltage’ DC battery system. Ever since its introduction, Read more…
Manufacturers quote the efficiency of a PV System at STC conditions, i.e. at 1000 W/m2, however, due to parasitic resistances the efficiency is not constant as the intensity of solar irradiance changes. This is referred to as Irradiance loss Irradiation losses seem to be rising from spaces in between two Read more…
There are a series of important questions that come to mind when talking about sizing a PV system. 1.What is your monthly electrical usage? Your utility bills will show you how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you use on a monthly basis. You can calculate the watt-hours of each appliance you Read more…
There are are a few basic factors to consider when designing any kind of system. Energy requirements2. Peak Sun Hours3. Site Location Evaluation4. Battery bank5. No. of Solar Panels Off-grid systems are designed to work alone and are sized so that they work during the worst conditions of the year, Read more…
Module Mismatching When PV modules are connected in series, there is something known as “the Christmas light effect”. If one module has less current, then it eventually limits the amount of current to flow through the whole series-connected PV source circuit (string). Before there were bypass diodes in PV modules Read more…
Blocking Diodes A blocking diode allows the flow of current from a solar panel to the battery but prevents/blocks the flow of current from the battery to solar panel thereby preventing the battery from discharging. Current streams from high to low voltage, so on a bright day, the voltage of Read more…
The nameplate on the individual PV modules shall carry the following minimum information: • Name and logo of the original manufacturer or supplier • Type designation and serial number • Maximum system voltage • Rated nominal power (Pmax) at STC (1000 W/m², 25°C cell temperature, and air mass [AM] 1.5 Read more…