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PV systems need an efficient inverter
Posted by Graham Eastwick on 15th May 2009 at 11:07 am
Photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules are only part of the picture when you consider the efficiency of a solar electricity generating station. Key to an effective PV system is an efficient inverter, which converts the direct current (DC) electricity produced to AC (alternating current or mains equiv…
Posted in: Solar electricity
Solar PV installations are held up by a shortage of inverters
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 17th May 2010 at 9:18 am
Delays of up to 17 weeks on delivery of inverters is causing problems for solar panel installers. With demand up because of the feed-in tariff, installers cannot finish jobs on time, as they wait for inverters. 'The inverter situation is pretty drastic,' said Chris Aloise, managing director of Eu…
Posted in: Solar electricity
Inverters for solar PV panels: your questions answered
Posted by Chris Rudge on 6th August 2010 at 8:52 am
Q1: I hear that inverters for solar PV systems typically last a maximum of 5 years, (Sunnyboy ones seem to fall over in Cambridge after a year, because of the way the grid is here). At £1,000 a pop, that makes a big difference to the economics of PV/ FITs, so it would be great to have someone blog…
Posted in: Solar electricity
Solar PV across different facing roofs
Posted by Chris Rudge on 3rd September 2010 at 12:59 pm
Q: I'm thinking of installing solar PV panels on two roof aspects, one south facing the other east. Can you please explain in layman's language what is meant by 'series' and 'parallel'. Different installers are recommending one or the other or both! A: Unlike battery charging PV systems, a…
Posted in: Solar electricity
How much are your solar panels generating?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 14th February 2011 at 9:39 am
Watching the kWhs clock up as the sun shines is one of the great pleasures of solar PV panels. But which meter do you watch? I watch the total generating meter, and am ashamed to say that I haven't yet worked out what all the different buttons on the inverter do. But that's all about to change... …
Posted in: Solar electricity
Off-grid solar electricity: a case study of a field studies centre
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 1st August 2011 at 12:37 pm
Solar generated electricity is the perfect answer for the Stafford Marsh field studies building on the Axe Estuary wetlands in East Devon. Off-grid, and a hard place to get electricity to, it was a "no brainer" according to nature reserve officer, Fraser Rush. This is the first off-grid installat…
Posted in: Solar electricity
Help: I'm getting conflicting advice about split aspect solar PV and inverters
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 10th April 2012 at 9:01 am
Q: I have had 3 consultants for solar PV and now I am confused. I already have a 2kW system, and wanted to get another 3kW installed. One company said they could not do it, the next said I would get rid of my bill and was going to do split aspects on one inverter. The third one said that I couldn't …
Posted in: Solar electricity
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At last: an end to the damaging #solar #FITs speculation http://t.co/5V6zvWZG 2 hours ago
@philstewardson Yes, I expected that - it brings it in line with other techs, & most people don't think that long term. 2 hours ago
Returns for small scale solar PV still attractive under new rates http://t.co/g5BdI9yD 2 hours ago