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Solar PV - connecting up the inverter

(9 posts) (7 voices)

Started 10 years ago by IrishPete
Latest reply from Inspector

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IrishPete
Member

Hi everyone

I am in NSW.

I've just had a 2kw PV system installed (thank you Energy Matters - cost $4500). No complaints about the install, it was really quick, and seems like it was done well. Only problem was my little roof wasn't big enough, so the panels are split across two surfaces with different orientations (very much non-ideal, so I should have been less greedy and gone for a 1.5kw system).

But it hasn't been connected up. I have an old power board (fuses rather than circuit breaker switches) and an old-style meter (wheels).

Everyone involved in the install, and local electricians, says I MUST get the meter replaced, and they also recommend I replace the power board with a modern style one. Happy to do the latter, as replacing fuses in the dark when you live in the country and don't have the correct fuse wire can be a pain!

But as there is no feed-in tariff in NSW, I though I could just get the inverter connected to the meter, and let it run backwards when exporting power. But the electricians I have spoken to won't do it.

Any ideas or advice?

Pete

Posted Friday 14 Oct 2011 @ 9:40:03 pm from IP #
rockabye
Member

Surely this is a matter to take up with the installer. Did you get the fed govt subsidy? If so there are contractual obligations to be complied with.

Posted Friday 14 Oct 2011 @ 9:59:14 pm from IP #
dbindoff
Member

There was a one month delay for me to get the smartmeter installed in Hobart. The PV installer 'sealed' the meter prior to leaving, its illegal (in Tas. at least) to do what you are suggesting.

I was advised prior to the PV install to upgrade to a modern fuseless switchboard, which I did.

Posted Friday 14 Oct 2011 @ 11:18:04 pm from IP #
IrishPete
Member

dbindoff said:
There was a one month delay for me to get the smartmeter installed in Hobart. The PV installer 'sealed' the meter prior to leaving, its illegal (in Tas. at least) to do what you are suggesting.

I was advised prior to the PV install to upgrade to a modern fuseless switchboard, which I did.

Indeed, Energy Matters advised me to do the same, but then gave me such a quick install date that I simply didn't have time to arrange it, and the installer said he didn't need it done BEFORE install, so maybe I'm doing things a bit backwards!

Pete

Posted Saturday 15 Oct 2011 @ 1:53:24 am from IP #
Inspector
Member

Even though the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme is finished, grid-connected generators still require bi-directional metering to be installed prior to them being connected to the grid (as per the NSW Service Rules, Section 8).

The first step in the process is to apply for connection of the generator from your local DNSP (electricity service provider - not necessarily your retailer) who will then approve (or disapprove) the system. From there, the system can be installed, then the meter installed and system connected. Some companies install both system and metering on the same day, some companies don't do metering at all, and leave it in the hands of the (usually unwary) customer to fend for themselves. Some companies have offices in different states, but different states have different requirements and not all staff are familiar with interstate requirements.

Upgrading the switchboard is generally a good idea, but can bring further problems; if a new switchboard is installed, it needs to comply with all the requirements of Section 4 of the NSW Service Rules, plus any additional requirements of the DNSP for your area, which might mean it needs to be relocated which will mean even more $$$ to be spent.

Posted Tuesday 25 Oct 2011 @ 12:45:47 pm from IP #
Victor
Member

Hi Pete
1. Having your panels on different orientations is an absolute no-no, it will unnecessarily cause high voltage differences across your array that may void your panel warranty (as it will not comply with the panel manufacturers install instructions), secondly if this is on a single string your whole array will only ever perform to the lowest panel output (particularly in winter when the sun is low), this can cause cycling of the inverter early morning during cloudy days and in the evening, again this may void your warranty (you should contact the manufacturer ASAP to clarify). This should have been identified at the time of the survey as the consultant measured your roof. This is all basic stuff as the sales consultant under the CEC rules should have given you estimates of the kWh output of your system that can only be established by measuring the roof and giving a system design based on these measurements.

2. During your site survey the Sales consultant as a minimum should have given you advice that the fuse board will need updating and advised you to get a couple of quotes. The CEC installer should not have proceeded with the install if your electrics didn't comply, there isn't any law against this (I think) but its just good and fair practice as this could be in the $1000's.

3. If EM have knowingly claimed STC's on your system without it being installed correctly, commissioned and producing electricity, they have committed fraud on your behalf, if this ever was challenged by ORER this may turn out messy. They will want the STC's back!

It sound like they have left you in a bit of a mess.

Sorry for the bad news.
Victor

Posted Wednesday 26 Oct 2011 @ 11:15:06 am from IP #
scott drew
Member

IrishPete,

I am in NSW. I had a PV system installed where the installing company looked after the meter install too. I had to do nothing, they organised everything. I am not sure what your contract says.

Anyway, once the install was done they connected it up to the spinning wheel meter and we gleefully watched the meter turn backwards. I am of the understanding that there is no technical reason why connecting to a spinning wheel meter can not happen. The spinning wheel meters actually treat the electricity in a more fair way than the digital meters do. So for about 14 days or so we watched as the spinning wheel meter turned backwards in the day, slowed up when we turned things on in the house and sped up when we turned things off. It was great! Then Energy Australia turned up and changed the meter to the digital time of use style. No more spinning wheels to watch! So to answer your query, (ignoring the fuse situation) I had my system hooked up to the spinning wheel meter, only for a short time though, till EA changed the meter. They do this because it is more advantageous to THEM to have a time of use meter on a PV system.
I think you should contact your installer and ask them why it was not connected to the meter and how you can get it connected. Connecting the meter may not be in their contract, but that is kinda like doing half a job! I also think that you should ask them if the array was wired up in two or more strings. Each bunch of cells facing the same direction might be on a separate string to the ones facing the odd angle. This will separate the whole lot from performing at the level of the weakest panel. I can see no reason why the pv’s can not be connected to the spinning wheel meter, they did it at my place, but yes you have to get a new time of use meter because it is advantageous to the retailer for you to get that meter rather than stick with the spinning wheel meter.
Do some calling and ask some questions and post your results here so others will benefit.

Posted Thursday 27 Oct 2011 @ 10:17:04 am from IP #
peter69_56
Member

It sound like they have left you in a bit of a mess.

Sorry for the bad news.
Victor

I think before we start burning down the headquarters of Energy matters, we should at least get a more detailed story on what was said, advised etc. I have seen 9 jobs done by Energy Matters in my area (I work in the Power Generation Industry in Victoria), and they have all been exemplarary. One job did have panels facing East and West but that was the best outcome given his request for size and roof layout. All the guys at work were very impressed by them. We all compare output and all their systems are to date working well.

I on the other hand got my system from Origin Energy and it was just an OK job and I am having some inverter issues.

I just dont like attacking the credability of a company unless we have all the facts in first as reputation is everything (and no I dont represent or work for them either).

So on that basis maybe the following questions need to be answered first;

You were advised prior to the job, to upgrade the switchboard? So I see no issue there, it clearly neeeds to be done. Did they come and do a site inspection first of your roof area and general wiring etc (Origin sent out an independant sparkie to check meter board, roof and wiring). Did anyone discuss the roof layout issue prior to the job commencing, and if not, did they then discuss it with you during the work? Do you know if they have put in a number of strings, or just one (from the work they do here I dont believe they would be stupid enough to put in only one string, and as from above they usually have to do a compromise sometimes due to roof area)? Did they test the unit and then turn it off? What advice did they give you on completion of the work? What things did you check before you ordered the size, did you check your roof area to see if it would fit (I know I did)?

Posted Friday 28 Oct 2011 @ 12:15:20 am from IP #
Inspector
Member

"(very much non-ideal, so I should have been less greedy and gone for a 1.5kw system)."

I saw a 2.5kw system a week or two ago which was performing worse than a 1kw system. While this is not the norm, it is more common than it should be. I don't usually go into the details of explaining to the customer that they could've got a much better operating (efficient) smaller system and saved themselves thousands in the process. The pay-back period on inefficient systems balloons way out once the 60c scheme payments cease.

Posted Monday 31 Oct 2011 @ 2:10:11 am from IP #

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