A solar photovoltaic system consists of solar cell arrays, a solar controller, and a battery (or battery bank). If the output power is AC 220V or 110V, a photovoltaic inverter is also required.
Winter sees the highest electricity demand while the lowest sunshine hours, making the use and maintenance of solar photovoltaic power generation systems even more crucial during this season. This article outlines some maintenance suggestions and techniques to reduce the reliance on backup generators.
1. Photovoltaic array in a solar photovoltaic power generation system: Check and tighten connecting bolts and wires, test output, and adjust tilt angle.
2. Tracker: Lubricate bearings, check bolts and damping.
3. Backup fuel system: The wiring has been confirmed and inspected to be in good working order and ready for immediate use.
4. Charge Controller: Check the rectifier voltage setting and ensure the voltmeter reading is normal. If the battery temperature is below 55°F, it should be allowed to charge to a higher voltage (at least 14.8V for a 12V system). If your charge controller has temperature compensation, it will adjust automatically. If there is an external temperature sensor, ensure it is attached to the battery. If there is no automatic adjustment function, you will need to manually increase the voltage and then adjust it back to 14.3V in the spring. If the charge controller is not adjustable, try to keep the battery in a warmer environment.
5. Lead-acid Battery: Check the voltage of each battery, eliminate any faulty ones, and determine if equalization charging is needed. If so, perform equalization charging maintenance (typically, a medium overcharge of 8 hours after the battery is fully charged). Clean any liquid or dust from the batteries (neutralize acidic deposits with dry baking soda). Clean or replace corroded terminals. Apply petroleum jelly to the terminals to prevent further corrosion. Check the battery fluid and add distilled or deionized water if necessary. Check the ventilation (for insects, etc., in the ventilation ducts).
Note: Check the wire dimensions, connections, fuses, and other safety measures. Grounding and lightning protection: Install or inspect grounding posts or grounding wires.
6. Loads or Appliances: Check for hidden loads or inefficient uses. For example, the transformer for a wall lamp and a remote-controlled TV consume electricity whenever it's plugged in. Does your electric heater automatically adjust the temperature, causing the inverter to run 24 hours a day? Lights: Check for blackened incandescent bulbs and consider replacing them with halogen or fluorescent bulbs. Replace blackened fluorescent tubes. Clean dust from the lights and their mounting brackets.
7. Inverter: Check the regulator, install settings, and wiring. Note: The charging voltage for inverters with charging function should be set to 14.5 (29) volts. Refer to the user manual. Add an additional temperature sensor if necessary.
8. Battery Temperature: Lead-acid batteries lose 25% of their capacity at 30°F. When fully charged, they freeze at 20°F, causing damage. Overheating in summer also affects their lifespan. Therefore, batteries should be avoided in extreme outdoor temperature environments. Batteries installed indoors according to national standards can operate safely.
