Solar PV Manual 2014
Solar Electric System Components
1
Inverter – converts 12V DC from battery to AC 230V for lighting.
2
Charge Controller – regulates power from solar panel to charge battery.
3
Solar panel (PV) – converts sunlight into DC electricity to charge battery.
4
12V Battery – stores electricity for use by the inverter
5
Breaker box – electrical breakers to protect the system
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How the solar PV system works:
Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy
using solar panels (3). These panels don't need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate a
small amount of electricity on a cloudy day. The panels convert the sunlight into electricity, which is
used to charge the battery (4) and can be used to run 12V appliances such as mobile phone
chargers. A charge controller, also know as a regulator (2) is used to ensure the battery is not
damaged by over charging, proper charging will prevent damage and increase the life and
performance of the batteries. The inverter (1) converts DC 12V electricity into 230V AC electricity for
powering household appliances and lighting. The battery (4) stores the electrical power, without
storage you would only have power when the sun was shining. The breaker or fuse box (5) houses
automatic fuses to protect the system cables rom overloading.
Electricity in equal’s electricity out:
Solar energy from the sun must equal
the electricity coming out of the
system. If too much electricity is
taken out the system will be
damaged.
Electricity in
Electricity out
Solar Electricity input
1 panel:
150Wp solar panel =
120w per hour
=> 600Wh per day.
1 Panel = 600Wh
2 Panels = 1200Wh
Electricity Output:
1 light = 32W/hour
2 Lights = 64W/hour
3 Lights = 96W/hour
3 Lights – 6 hours
2 Lights – 9 hours
1 Light – 18 hours
3 Lights – 12 hours
2 Lights – 18 hours
1 Light – 36 hours
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Charge Controller:
Understanding the Steca solar charge controller (2):
1. Info LED
2. 4 LEDs for displaying the state of charge, see
table below: Normal Operation.
Battery full, charge regulation active, charging
current reduced
Normal Operation.
Battery full, state of charge > 80 %
Normal Operation
Battery good, state of charge > 50 %
Battery weak, state of charge < 50 %
Flashing:
Battery weak, state of charge is 40 % to 50 %
deactivation has not yet been reached.
Switch-on threshold after deep-discharge
Red flashing quickly:
Battery empty, state of charge < 40 % when the
battery continues to be discharged the deepdischarge deactivation is triggered
Red Flashing:
Deep-discharge deactivation, state of charge <
30 %
Flashes red a fault exists (see "Faults and
remedies")
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Charge controller maintenance:
Ensure the charge controller is kept clean and free from dust, check and record LED status daily.
Understanding the Clayton Inverter
The Clayton inverter is rated at 1kW.
The front panel has 2 LED lights and 1 button.
1. Inverter LED Blue
2. Battery LED red
3. On/Off button
Blue LED - 1
Description.
ON
1 Short flashes every 2.
second
1 Flash continuously
2 Flash continuously
3 Flash continuously
4 Flash continuously
5 Flash continuously
Inverter is running
Load search mode
Inverter output is overloaded
Inverter temperature is too high. (automatic cooling down
and
Shortrestart)
circuit at inverter output
Short circuit in power supply
Overload in power supply while starting up
Red LED - 2
Description.
No light
Battery voltage okay
ON
Battery voltage too low (inverter will switch off within 1 minute,
to prevent a deep downloading of battery)
Flashing
Battery voltage too high
Inverter Maintenance
Ensure the Inverter is kept clean and free from dust, check and record LED status daily.
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Solar Panels:
The solar panels must be kept clean to ensure the maximum performance; a dirty panel can loose
up to 30% of its power.
Check the panels at least once per week and clean when required.
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Solar Batteries:
SAFETY NOTE
Batteries contain acid, which can be harmful if splashed on your skin or in your eyes. Accidents
happen when acid gets on hands and is then accidentally rubbed into eyes. When dealing with
batteries always wear safety goggles and ensure a good supply of clean water is handy to wash
hands or rinse eyes if needed.
Personal Precautions While Working with Batteries
1. Someone should be within range of your voice to come to your aid.
2. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin,
clothing, or eyes.
3. Wear complete eye protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near batteries.
Wash your hands with soap and water when done.
4. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If
acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cool water for at least 15 minutes
and get medical attention immediately.
5. Baking soda neutralizes lead acid battery electrolyte. Keep a supply on hand in the
area of the batteries.
6. NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of a battery or generator.
7. Be extra cautious to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool onto batteries. It could
short-circuit the batteries or other electrical parts that may result in fire or explosion.
8. Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches when
working with a battery. A battery can produce a short-circuit current high enough to
weld a ring or the like to metal, causing severe burns.
9. If a remote or automatic generators start system is used, disable the automatic
starting circuit and/or disconnect the generator from its starting battery while
servicing it to prevent starting while servicing.
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Battery Maintenance:
Maintaining the battery is critical for achieving long life from the system and high performance.
WORKING AROUND BATTERIES IS DANGEROUS!
Be sure to read the warnings in the installation manual and take the following precautions:
• Remove metal objects like rings, necklaces and watches
• Wear eye protection such as goggles or a face shield
• Keep water and baking soda nearby to dilute and neutralize spills
• Be very careful when using tools around the batteries
CHECK THE BATTERY ELECTROLYTE LEVEL MONTHLY
• The electrolyte (fluid) in the battery should entirely cover the plates which are visible when the
caps are removed from the battery.
• Add distilled water (low mineral content) to the battery to increase the fluid level until it is just
below the plastic tube, which extends into the battery where the cap was located.
• DON’T OVERFILL YOUR BATTERY!
It’s better to have the battery slightly low on fluid then too high. Spills dilute the battery’s electrolyte.
• If the battery is not fully charged when checking the fluid level – just ensure that the battery plates
are completely covered. The electrolyte fluid expands as it charges and will overflow if you fill it up
and then charge the battery. Be sure to check the level after the battery has been completely
recharged.
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