Solstice Energy
How We Do It
Internal Work
PV systems require equipment other than the external modules in order to operate. This is normally installed inside the building, and can go anywhere between the modules and the incoming electrical supply, depending on space and aesthetics. We would discuss cable runs and equipment positions during a site survey.
The inverter is the "brains" of the system; this changes the d.c. current from the modules to the correct frequency of a.c. current, and transforms the voltage to 240v. The inverter monitors both the d.c. and a.c. side and protects the system by shutting it down if a fault occurs. As soon as it registers that everything is normal, it will restart by itself.
The inverter will gather data on a wide range of values including mains and PV voltage, current, operating hours and PV generated kWh. It will show the main figures on the front cover display, but the system can also be monitored in a number of different ways such as a remote display (large public one or desktop), on a local computer, or to the world via the internet. A recent customer (Feb 2007) wrote an article on his experience with the installation as a whole and with the data monitoring for his Fronius inverter.
Solstice Energy installed the first internet connected system in the UK on a 3.36kWp domestic system, commissioned on 28-7-06 in Arsenal, London. Click here to see how this system is doing.
