Maintenance of Solar Energy Power Grid Connect

Maintenance of Solar Energy Power Grid Connect is discussed in this article.

What is included in the maintenance a Solar Energy Power Grid Connect?

It includes PV Solar Panels, inverter, equipment such as meters, switching equipment and system wiring.

A Solar Energy Array consists of a number of solar panels mounted next to each other lying side by side. Many tend to think Solar PV Systems are maintenance free and in most cases they are.

Periodic inspections of the Solar Energy Power Grid Connect

Periodic inspection and cleaning of the solar panels can ensure good performance of your solar energy power–grid connect. When carrying out a visual inspection, check for defects in the modules such as any chips, cracks or discolouration. If you have trees close to the house, small particles like pollen or leaf particles may build up on glass surface of the solar panels and may need to be cleaned.

Cleaning solar panels

In many situations cleaning is only essential during long dry spells when there is no rain to provide natural cleaning of the solar panel’s surface. Simply wash with water to clean the surface of the solar panel to eliminate any dust and dirt particles which have build up.  If it has thick grime, which is more difficult to remove, simply wash with warm water and a sponge. Cleaning your solar panels is similar to cleaning the glass windows of your house but on solar panels you must always avoid detergents, as these may damage your panels.

Defects

If any noticeable defects are found, make a note their locations on the system. If you have recorded it in a book, it is then, possible to monitor these defects for future reference to determine if there is any further deterioration. In most cases the solar output will not be affected.  When carrying out inspections, pay particular attention to the condition of the array mounting frame, if one is used, the array mounting bolts as well and these should also be recorded.

Inverters

Inverters require little maintenance but it is a good idea to keep them free from dust, as much as possible. Wipe them over with a clean dry cloth. Check there is no infestation of pests near the inverter. Monitor the LED indicators to make sure the unit is working correctly.

How do I know my system is working properly?

There are no moving parts in a solar energy power – grid-connected PV system. During the day, when the sun is shining on the solar panels, produces electricity in a silent fashion.

This solar power which has just been produced is either used by your household appliances in the home. Any excess unused solar energy power is exported to the grid. This is what pays you an income.

Income from solar energy power – grid connect

To determine the income from solar panels there are a number of factors that need to be considered. It depends on the consumption of electrical power, the number of solar panels installed, and the amount of solar energy available, that will determine how much power is exported to the grid, hence whether there is an income or not.

Size of solar panel required

To determine the size of the solar system and the number of panels you required means referring to your past power bill, to work out how much power you used per quarter. Once you know that, you can buy a solar system that will produce the same amount of power you consume, or you may decide to buy a slightly larger one so you can sell the excess power back to the grid and make a profit.

Others may decide to opt for a slightly smaller solar system (which is cheaper) where it does not completely cover the consumption. In this case you will still have a power bill but the amount you receive from via feed in tariffs which in Queensland it is 0.44 cent will offset the power bill leaving a small amount to pay to the electricity providers.

Feed in tariffs

Western Australia pays 40 cents per kilowatt.

N.S.W pays 60/20 cents for power with a 7 year program as gross feed.

Victoria the amount they pay for power is 60/25 cents for 15 years net.

South Australia the amount paid for power is 44/22 cents for 20 years net feed.

ACT pays 44/22 cents for any power you generate for a 20 years period and it is gross tariff.

TAS – pays around 20 cents

Germany is around 33.03 ct

UK – The tariff paid to householders falls from 43.3p per kWh of solar electricity to just 21p under the proposals as of 2/11/2011

USA

Feed-in tariffs –  Solar Energy Power & Concentrating Solar Power

Tier 1 PV < 20 kW – 21.8 to 27.4

Tier 1 CSP < 20 kW – 26.8 to 33.1

Tier 2 PV 20-100/500 kW – 18.9 to 23.8

Tier 2 CSP 20-100/500 kW – 25.4 to 27.5

Feed-in tariffs – Wind & Hydropower

Baseline FIT rate for any RPS-eligible technology under the max. size limit

Tier 1 On-Shore Wind < 20 kW 16.1

Tier 1 In-line Hydropower < 20 kW 21.3

Tier 2 On-Shore Wind 20-100/500 kW 13.8

Tier 2 In-line Hydropower 20-100/500 kW 18.9

Gross feed in tariff and net feed in tariff

You may want to know the difference between gross feed in tariffs and net feed in tariffs? Gross feed in tariff pays for the whole amount of power you generate through your solar panels, while net feed in tariff only pays you for the amount you export to the grid.

What other considerations are there?

The amount of solar power you export to the grid depends on:

• Consumption
• the amount of sunlight
• aspect of the roof and pitch
• the season (summer provides a much higher rate than winter)

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