FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Lithium-ion battery facts
The charging cycle is a duration of utilization when the battery is fully charged, completely drained, and then wholly recharged again, this is counted as 1 life cycle.
The number of charge and discharge cycles that it can complete before losing performance.
It is one charge cycle when you’ve used (discharged) an amount that equals 100% of your battery’s capacity.
The number of charge-discharge cycles this/the battery can support until it reaches 80% of its original capacity.
Good lithium batteries can last for more than 5000 cycles.
Another way to understand battery capacity is in terms of the depth of discharge. Depth of discharge is the percentage of the battery capacity that has been used relative to the total capacity.
Inverter facts
It’s a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, to alternating current (AC) electricity, which the electrical grid uses.
A hybrid inverter is more reliable than a standard grid-tie inverter as it has a built-in battery backup system. This means that you can still use your solar energy system during a power outage.
String solar inverters also known as grid tied have a life expectancy of 10-15 years. String inverters are connected directly to the utility grid hence when the grid is down a sting inverter will produce no power as it is reliant on the electricity feed off the utility grid. Hybrid inverters which are wired in parallel can last for 20-25 years. Hybrid inverters provide instant back-up power to the inverter from the battery bank that is installed with your solar installation. Hybrid inverters are easy to install and cost effective making them a popular choice for anyone looking to go off the grid or have electricity in case of grid outage.
If the grid goes down your system will shut off, leaving you without power.
A hybrid inverter requires less maintenance than a standard grid-tie inverter as it has fewer components.
The main advantage of a hybrid inverter is that it can use both AC and DC power sources to generate electricity. This means that it can be used in areas where there is no access to an AC outlet or a DC power source, such as rural areas or islands.
The inverter gets hold of the energy and runs it via a transformer, consequently spitting out an alternate current output.
Solar facts
A solar power backup system is a set of components that work together to provide electricity during an emergency, such as a power outage keeping your home powered at all times.
Home energy needs change over time. While your backup solar system was likely sized to meet your energy usage when it was installed, many homeowners find that expanding their solar system with panels this can be a helpful way to further decrease their utility bills creating a ROI (Return On Investment)
Photovoltaic (PV) or solar cells convert sunlight into electricity. When light strikes the semiconductor material of a solar cell, it releases electrons that generate electric current. A solar panel or PV panel is a frame with several connected solar cells.
When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.
The industry standard for most solar panels’ lifespans is 25 to 30 years.
No, solar energy systems only operate during the day.
The most common rooftop materials can withstand a solar panel, however, unfortunately cannot add solar panels on: thatch roofs, roofs containing asbestos or glass roofs.
Yes, solar panels can be directly connected to the inverter instead of the charge controller.
They won’t produce electricity at night when you need it for light, and they can be inefficient during storms and gloomy days. Your solar energy system needs batteries if you plan to fully depend on solar energy to power your home.
Your actual electricity usage will vary depending on the size of your home, the number of people living there, and your lifestyle.
In a single-phase power supply, the power is supplied through two wires called Phase and neutral. In three phase power supply, the power is supplied through three wires (four wires if neutral wire is included)
A three-phase solar inverter takes DC (direct current) electricity from solar panels, chops it up and sends it out as AC (alternating current) electricity shared across a three-phase supply. A three-phase house has three live wires coming in from the grid. If you have a three-phase supply, it is recommended to get a three-phase solar inverter. WHY? It drastically reduces the chances of voltage rise issues.
An Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECOC) or electrical coc is a legal document that verifies an electrical installation is compliant on the date of inspection with all the legal requirements as stipulated in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act of South Africa.
Yes. The owners of a premise where electricity is consumed need to be in possession of a valid Certificate of Compliance.05 Feb 2023 No company can issue you a CoC unless the whole property has a valid certificate. Doing so can invalidate your insurance and is against the law.
No person other than an Installation Electrician (IE) and a Master Installation Electrician (MIE) can issue a Certificate of Compliance on a solar installation.
The purpose of this certificate is to prove that all of the electrical work and installations in your home are in good working order, and up to standard.
Any contractor doing PV installation work, from installing solar panels to the actual energising of the building, must be an electrical contractor. An electrical contractor must be registered in terms of the Electrical Installation Regulations (2009) and must either be a licenced electrician or must employ one as a contracting firm in his full-time employ. The Electrical Installation Regulations define ‘electrical installation’ .