With the increasing popularity of residential photovoltaic (PV) power stations, more and more people are enjoying the economic benefits of green electricity. However, there are some things to pay special attention to when installing a residential PV power station. So, what issues should be considered when using a residential PV power station? Let's take a look.
What issues should be considered when using a residential photovoltaic (PV) power station?
Located in the Northern Hemisphere, my country boasts a vast territory and abundant solar energy resources, including rooftop solar panels. This gives it a unique advantage in developing residential solar power systems, leading to a growing number of people choosing to install such systems. However, the installation and maintenance of a solar power station is not the end of the story, and it's not solely the responsibility of after-sales personnel.
1. 52.6% of photovoltaic power stations have shading problems.
According to a survey, 52.6% of power plants experience some degree of shading. Shading has always been a common problem. Although design engineers try their best to avoid it during power plant design, various uncontrollable problems inevitably arise during actual installation and use. The seemingly perfect power plants circulating online may create a misconception, but this prevalent issue should not be ignored.
First, during the design phase, try to avoid obstruction as much as possible. It's better to install fewer panels than to block them completely; a reasonable design is very important. Second, during use, regularly check the area around the power station for any new obstructions, such as weeds, and remove them promptly. Third, never use photovoltaic panels to dry items, as this can easily cause heat spots.
2. 59.2% of power plants have excessive dust accumulation.
Dust accumulation is a serious issue; surveys show that 59.2% of power plants suffer from it. And dust accumulation is precisely one of the maintenance problems we can handle ourselves. The degree of dust accumulation varies significantly between the north and south, with dust accumulation generally being much more severe in the north than in the south, which is related to climate. Don't underestimate dust accumulation and wait until the power plant is extremely dirty before cleaning it, as this directly affects power generation. Power plants that are not regularly dusted generate at least 3% less power than those that are regularly dusted.
Dust accumulation must be cleaned promptly. There is no fixed interval for cleaning; the power station should be cleaned as soon as it appears dirty. When cleaning dust accumulation in the power station, always pay attention to your own safety and take appropriate safety precautions. Never step on the components while cleaning the power station, and never use sharp objects to clean them, as both will cause damage to the power station.
3. 40% of power station installation angles are not optimal for local conditions.
The optimal angle is considered optimal because it represents the highest power generation. However, in actual power plant installation design, compromises sometimes have to be made due to the need to consider the roof structure, such as tiled roofs.
The installation of a power station on a flat roof can always be done at the optimal angle. Never sacrifice the optimal angle to install more panels, or you will end up losing sight of the bigger picture. For tiled roofs, the structure of the building must be considered, and you should not blindly pursue the optimal angle at the expense of reasonable design.
4. 23% of power plants have improper matching between DC strings and inverters.
When two or more DC strings are connected to the same MPPT, the input voltage and current of each string must maintain a high degree of consistency; otherwise, significant parallel losses will occur. This is why the component model and number of components in each string of the two strings must be consistent, and the component angles must be consistent.
5. 25.3% of power plants have insufficient ballast.
The counterweight of a power station is the weight that helps it stand firm under special conditions such as strong winds and heavy rains; for example, it might be a concrete pier. If the concrete pier is poorly constructed and the counterweight is insufficient, the power station can easily be blown over by strong winds, causing damage to the station and even endangering the lives of others. The counterweight design must be based on 50 years of local meteorological data, and construction must strictly adhere to the design specifications.
6. 15% of power station support components have problems.
Besides the counterweight of the support frame, there are also issues with the support frame accessories, such as the grounding screws being prone to rust and the pressure blocks being used improperly, all of which can become safety hazards for the power station.
7. 29% of power station inverters were not installed according to regulations.
Most top-tier inverter brands incorporate waterproof and dustproof features, so it's not uncommon to see inverters installed outdoors. However, one important point to note during inverter installation is ensuring adequate ventilation. Since the inverter acts as the energy conversion station for the power plant, it inevitably generates a significant amount of heat. Insufficient heat dissipation can damage components, consequently affecting power generation and the safety of the power plant.
8. 34% of power plant monitoring systems were not used properly.
Why do photovoltaic power plants need monitoring systems? On the one hand, it's to monitor the power generation in a timely manner, giving the owner peace of mind; on the other hand, it's to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the power plant. When a problem occurs, the inverter's monitoring system is usually the first to detect it. If it can be promptly relayed to the owner, timely maintenance of the power plant can be achieved, avoiding unnecessary losses.
