Solar Power - Frequently asked Questions
ProductsFAQ'S
- Q. How will I know if a grid-tie system is what I need?
A. When your main power usage is during the day. - Q. Can I add batteries on a grid-tie system?
A. The only time when you can add batteries is when you add an island inverter. - Q. What happens if the main utility power fails when I have a grid-tie system?
A. Unfortunately, the grid-tie system needs a grid to function so what will happen is that the whole system will shut down and as soon as the utility grid power comes back on, it will then start itself. - Q. What happens if the power goes out when I have a hybrid system installed?
A. Because there are batteries, the hybrid inverter system will act as a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) supplying energy to your essential needs. - Q. How many batteries will I need?
A. This all depends on your load at the time and how many hours of back-up you require. - Q.What happens if I have a surplus amount of energy being produced that is more than my requirement?
If your local municipality allows independent electricity suppliers to a feed into the grid, you are allowed to feed power back into the grid and the local municipality will credit your account at the determined tariff. If feed back is not allowed not we will install a limiting device that will not allow the surplus power to feed back into the utility grid. - Q. Can I start off with a small system and expand at a later stage?
A. With todays technology it is easy to start off with a small system and add on at a later stage. - Q. How long will my solar system last?
A. The panels that we use have a 25-year 80% performance guarantee. Panels typically last up to 40 years. - Q. What are the warranties on the products?
A. Panels – 25-year 80% performance guarantee (as per the supplier we use) & Inverter – 5-10 - year warranty, batteries either 5 years or 10 years, depending on the brand chosen. - Q. How much space is needed to install the panels on my roof?
A. This is all dependant on what your usage is. An average size PV panel is 1960mm x 992mm for a Canadian 335 Watt PV panel. For example, should you require 2kW you would need 4x335W panels, should you need 4kW you would need 8x335W panels. - Q. What is the maintenance on a solar system?
A. It is advisable to go with batteries that do not need any maintenance like the lithium-ion technology. It is advisable to rinse your panels at least 2-3 times a year, to remove bird droppings and dust..Thus, minimal maintenance is required.