SOLAR PV - TECHNICAL
Photovoltaic solar panels convert solar energy into usable electrical energy which can either meet the users requirements or be exported to the grid or both. Ultimately this has proved to be more expensive than electricity from utility providers. The Microstrain aim is to provide low-cost solar PV packages from start to finish. Generating your own electricity shouldn't be prohibitively expensive.
Shop now and order with confidence from Microstrain Ltd.
The Microstrain way is to design systems that are appropriate for the application and specific to the location. We endeavor to engineer low cost solutions with maximum return on investment for the customer. If your site is not suitable we will tell you.
Quick checklist:
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Know your requirements
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Ensure you have adequate roof area
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Locate array to minimize shading
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Ensure regulatory/planning compliance
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Design with minimal electrical losses
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Ensure the design meets ESB interconnection requirements
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Use accredited/experienced products/suppliers
Currently Microstrain only provide Grid-tied systems (i.e. no battery storage). For Grid-tied systems there is currenlty a feed-in tariff for microgeneration.The ESB Customer Supply payment is set at 9c per kWh and is paid annually.
The ESB payment of 10c per kWh is made on the anniversary of the meter installation. This payment is capped at 3000kWh per annum for 5 years.
Solar PV technology is noiseless, pollution free and has low maintenance requirements. It offers a simple alternative to other renewable generation technologys and is often suited to locations that have poor site conditions for wind turbines.
The payback for Solar PV is improving all the time. Our aim is to bring this payback to 10-15 years. In the short-term, further reductions will depend on government policy on feed-in tariffs.
The Output of a BIPV system depends on
- The availability of and access to solar radiation which is determined by climate, geometry and orientation of available building surfaces,
- PV efficiency
- overshading
- coupling of the electrical network system
- electrical wiring resistance,
- voltage drop in the series blocking diodes
- accumulation of dirt on the module cover glass
Microstrain uses Sunnyboy inverters from SMA. These have proved flexible and are recognized by ESB Network. They come in a range of sizes and are suitable for either single phase or three phase supply.
Full site specific calculations can be carried out:
The Microstrain kit is a complete kit. It includes:
- Panels
- Inverter
- Brackets
- Cables
- (ESB provide export meter)
Typical Domestic PV
All
Microstrain products are certified and meet IEC regulations.
Microstrain ensure correct inverter sizing for improved effiiciency and lower capital cost.
LINKS
www.pvresources.com : Independent website offering news, technical information and literature
www.sei.ie : Sustainable Energy Ireland
www.carbontrust.co.uk/publications : Interesting articles on reducing your carbon footprint
http://www.pv.unsw.edu.au Information available includes solar cell efficiency tables
http://www.iea-pvps.org/ This is the home page for the International Energy Agency (IEA)
http://www.pv-t.org is the web site of the IEA SHCP and PVPS Joint Working Group on PV systems.
http://www.ise.fhg.de The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
http://www.solarbuzz.com is a solar portal with information and news re PV
www.weather.ie Website that confirms it’s raining.
www.nasa.gov.org worldwide weather data including insolation levels and optimum solar panel angles
http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/generator_connections/
micro_gen_connections.jsp Information on connecting to
the grid.
