chromagen Solar power Manuale utente
Solar Power Owner’s Manual
Domestic Photovoltaic Systems
Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2
Owner maintenance ............................................................................................................ 2
How your Chromagen solar electricity system works......................................................... 3
System performance ........................................................................................................... 4
Energy conservation............................................................................................................ 5
Operating instructions......................................................................................................... 6
Operating safety instructions .............................................................................................. 6
Trouble shooting ................................................................................................................. 7
Important reminder ........................................................................................................... 7
Warranty .............................................................................................................................. 8
Documentation supplied ..................................................................................................... 8
Accredited Installer Details.................................................................................................. 8
Expected system performance ........................................................................................... 9
Actual System Performance................................................................................................ 9
Maintenance and fault log................................................................................................. 10
System Details (Inverter and Array) ................................................................................... 11
Maintenance Schedule for PV Installs............................................................................... 12
Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your solar electricity system. Not only are you
protecting yourself from current and future price rises of electricity, you are also saving
significant CO2emissions which helps reduce global warming and climate change.
Your system is designed to meet all Australian conditions, regulations and codes.
Although it is very low maintenance, it must always be remembered that the system
generates electricity and we strongly recommend that you do not attempt to service it
yourself unless you are suitably qualified. Your safety is our primary concern.
Owner Maintenance
For your safety, we recommend that you do not attempt any servicing yourself unless you
are suitably qualified.
The solar panels work best when clean. Regular rainfall or washing with a hose will
maintain their cleanliness. If they do become excessively soiled they can be cleaned
with cold water. Chromagen strongly recommend that you avoid climbing onto the roof
and use the services of a qualified professional who is trained in occupational health and
safety procedures.
Shading of the solar panels will affect efficiency and performance. Plant and tree growth
that may cause shading at various times of the year, should be monitored and dealt with
as required. Likewise, leaves, bird droppings and other debris coming to rest either on or
around the solar modules should be carefully removed.
IMPORTANT: To avoid risk of injury, Chromagen strongly recommend the services of
a qualified professional who is trained in occupational health and safety procedures, to
clean solar electricity panels.
If you notice your system is not operating correctly, please check the TROUBLE
SHOOTING chapter on page 7 and if necessary call 1300 367 565 immediately and we
will help you to diagnose your problem and can arrange to send a technician to resolve it
if necessary. If you need to shut down the system, please follow these steps in this order
–
1. Switch off the Solar Supply Main Switch in the main switchboard or meter box
2. Switch off the AC isolator and DC isolator adjacent to the inverter
Following these steps will safely isolate the solar array. To switch it back on, you simply
reverse the procedure.
2
How Your Chromagen System Works
The following illustration and narrative explains how your solar electricity system works –
1. The solar electric modules are usually fitted to the roof. The number of modules will
depend on the nominal size of your system and, collectively, they are known as the
solar array. The solar array converts sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
2. The DC electricity is fed to the inverter which is normally accessible at ground level.
The inverter converts the DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity which is
compatible with the electricity supplied to your house from the grid. Most inverters
have a digital readout so you can monitor information such as the amount of solar
electricity produced, etc. Refer to the separate inverter owner’s manual for more
information.
3. Depending on local regulations, your solar system may be connected to the grid on
either a net or a gross metering system. With net metering, only the electricity not
first consumed by the house will be exported to the grid. With gross metering, all
generated electricity is exported to the grid.
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Inverter
Meter
Electricity to
House (AC)
Grid electricity import
PV electricity export
ELECTRICITY
NETWORK
(GRID)
PV electricity
output (DC)
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Always remember that your system will be generating electricity during daylight hours
and care should always be taken to eliminate the risk of electric shock. Refer to the
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS on page 6 for more information.
System Performance
During daylight hours, your system will be generating electricity at varying rates
depending on the amount of sunshine. The more sunlight falling on the solar array the
more electricity is generated; variable factors such as cloud cover, seasonal solar angle
variations, shading or soiling of the solar array will have an effect on the electricity output.
Note that you do not need to change your energy usage lifestyle to correspond with your
solar system. Your energy consumption will be supplied by both solar and the grid.
The table below shows expected system performance using a 1kilowatt (1kW) PV array
facing true north at a tilt angle equal to the latitude angle, without shading.
1kW nominal PV array facing True North at a tilt angle equal to Latitude, with no shading.
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If you already have a Smart meter installed, this may need to be reprogrammed to be able
to measure both your electricity imported and electricity exported. If you have an old
electro - mechanical meter (with the spinning disk), this will need to be replaced with a bi-
directional meter able to record the electricity you both import and export.
Your electricity retailer will read your meter quarterly and bill you for your electricity
consumption. Credit will be paid for electricity exported to the grid at the rate you have
negotiated with your electricity retailer. This is known as a feed-in tariff.
Please note it is your responsibility to contact your electricity retailer to arrange for a feed-
in tariff contract.
Location Best Month
kWh per day
Worst Month
kWh per day
Annual Average
kWh per day
Brisbane 4.61 3.34 4.04
Canberra 5.32 2.76 4.22
Darwin 5.11 3.54 4.47
Hobart 4.60 2.14 3.54
Sydney 4.83 2.82 3.94
Melbourne 4.59 2.22 3.58
Adelaide 5.72 2.51 4.25
Alice Springs 5.19 4.21 4.81
Perth 5.40 2.93 4.40
Cairns 4.44 3.18 3.86
System performance has been determined in accordance with AS/NZ 5033 guidelines
An average system efficiency has been used - includes PV array, wiring and inverter losses
Energy conservation
Your solar electricity system represents an investment in your future energy needs as
well as a benefit to the environment. Unlike conventional generators of electricity that
have been causing major environmental problems such as smog, acid rain and global
warming, your solar electricity system does not produce any air or water pollution while it
is generating electricity.
Considering that it generates free electricity from sunlight, it makes sense to consider the
other side of the energy equation – your electricity consumption. You need not make any
significant changes to your comfortable lifestyle but there are some simple things you can
do to save energy and reduce your bill further –
• Install a Chromagen solar hot water system that will provide all of your hot water
using a combination of free solar energy and purchased conventional energy;
• Replace other inefficient appliances, such as old refrigerators, with new high
efficiency appliances;
• Replace incandescent light bulbs and downlights with energy efficient LED lighting;
• Save standby power by switching off appliances at the power point when not in use
or using ESPD’s - Energy Saving Power Devices;
• Switch off lights and other appliances when not needed;
• Avoid leaving computers on all day and night;
• Understand that tropical fish tanks, spa baths and pools consume large amounts of
energy
Thus you will be saving money on both sides of the energy equation – on the supply side
by generating your own free electricity, and on the demand side by practising sound
energy conservation.
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Operating instructions
Your solar electricity system is designed for automatic operation without need for
user intervention. There are no moving parts or need for the owner to interact with its
operation.
In the case of mains grid supply failure the inverter will immediately and automatically
be disabled. This is known as “anti-islanding” and it protects linesmen from an electric
shock from your system when they assume the grid is “dead”. Once the grid power has
been restored, the inverter will be automatically re-enabled.
If you notice your system is not operating correctly, please check the TROUBLE
SHOOTING chapter on page 7 and if necessary call 1300 367 565 immediately and we
will diagnose your problem and send a technician to resolve it if necessary.
Operating safety instructions
• Do not attempt to service the system unless you are fully qualified to do so. To
service any electrical connection you MUST be a licensed electrician.
• All service work must be carried out in strict compliance with all local and national
electrical regulations and standards.
• Review and follow all safety instructions supplied with all components of your
Chromagen solar electricity system. Further information can be found at
http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au
• Do not attempt to clean or come in contact with the surface of a solar module with
broken glass. This could result in a dangerous electric shock.
• Be aware that power may be present at any point in electrical circuits despite the
opening of circuit breakers or isolators.
• Circuit breakers can trip automatically if problems occur. If the circuit breaker is
switched back to the closed or “on” position and it immediately trips back to the
open or “off” position there is a problem.
• Do not substitute materials supplied with the Chromagen solar electricity system.
• Appropriate precautions must be taken when working on rooftops or at heights in
accordance with local and national occupational health and safety regulations.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Disclaimer of liability: Despite the instructions and recommendations provided in this
manual, the actual use and maintenance of the solar electric system is beyond the
control of Chromagen Pty Ltd. Therefore, Chromagen Pty Ltd does not assume any
responsibility and expressly disclaims liability for loss, damage or expense associated
in any way with the installation, use, or maintenance of the solar electric system.
6
Trouble Shooting
The inverter displays LED lights and/or screen displays to monitor the normal operation
and fault conditions of the system. The occurrence of a problem within the system will
usually be indicated by the inverter. The inverter user manual contains a trouble shooting
chapter which will explain these lights and displays.
Please read the trouble shooting chapter carefully and then precisely follow the
instructions given. If these fail, please call 1300 367 565 immediately and we can assist to
locate a qualified technician to resolve your problem.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Please keep this owner’s manual in a safe and easily locatable place together with all
other documentation supplied with your system.
Warranty
In the case of a service being required, please make available all the documentation to the
service technician. Note that the manufacturers’ warranties may be voided if the system
is serviced or interfered with by an unqualified person.
Your solar electric system comes with the following warranties:
Solar electric modules
Refer to the warranty information contained in the documentation supplied with your solar
electric modules. Solar PV modules have a 25-year limited warranty. This means they are
guaranteed to perform to 90% capacity for 15 years and 80% for the remaining 10 years.
The module warranty is provided by the manufacturer of the modules.
Inverter
Refer to the warranty information contained in the documentation supplied with the
inverter. An inverter warranty is usually 5 years but an optional additional 5 years can
often be bought. The inverter warranty is provided by the manufacturer of the inverter.
Roof mounting frames
10 years from the date of installation. The warranty of the mounting frame and its
components is provided by the manufacturer of the components.
Installation
One year from the date of installation. The installation warranty is provided by the
accredited installer, the details of whom can be found on page 9 of this manual.
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Documentation Supplied- in accordance with
AS/NZS5033 (2011)
1. Solar module user manual and warranty
2. Inverter user manual and warranty
3. Rail mounting kit user manual and warranty
4. Inverter operation
5. A list of all equipment supplied
6. A list of alarms
7. Action on alarms being activated
8. Shutdown and isolation procedure
9. Circuit diagram including electrical ratings
10. Minimum and maximum design temperatures
11. Commissioning and installation checklist
12. Array frame engineering certificate
Accredited Installer Details (to be completed by accredited installer)
As an accredited designer / installer of the PV systems I,
Name of accredited installer Accreditation No.
Address of accredited installer
declare that this installation has been performed in accordance with all relevant
standards in force at this date.
Contact phone numbers
Signature of accredited installer
Date of installation and commissioning
Indice
