Solar Panels Flashcards
Two main types
Solar panels for electricity
Hot water heater panels
The inverter’s location is key as….
it will provide a switch to isolate power to any outlets being supplied from the solar panles
where is the invertor and therefore isolator normally found
Installers typically use short runs of DC cable and therefore the isolator will often be found in loft spaces
Where does the power go from the invertor
From the inverter, the AC supply is distributed within the premises via a consumer unit to power electrical outlets and to provide services such as heating and lighting. Any excess energy generated can be fed back into the National Grid or it can be stored in battery banks for later use.
What is crucial to remember regarding electrical solar panels
With a standard multi- panel installation during daylight, there is no practical way of isolating the panels from producing DC current. Tests carried out during strong sunlight , demonstrated that panels covered by a heavy tarpaulin will only reduce but not cut their power output.
You can only isolate after the invertor
Describe solar hot water heaters
Consist of panels which are more bulky in appearance. They contain a series of continuous pipe runs carrying water laid into the panel. The water is heated by being exposed to sunlight, which is transferred by pipework to a hot water cylinder. A boiler tops up this stored heat to reach a temperature set on the cylinder thermostat.
What hazard isasociated with invertors
Inverters isolate power to the consumer supply by turning a switch, however the DC wiring from panel to inverter will still be live.
As well as th invertor only isolating to sockets via fuseborad what other hazards are there with electrical solar panels
(b)
Even covering the modules with a heavy salvage sheet or tarpaulin will only reduce the amount of electricity produced.
(c)
Direct current for these systems is not earthed and therefore if firefighters working very closely to the DC wiring complete an earth circuit they will receive an electric shock
(d)
Arcing presents a risk to firefighters as the light produced is extremely intense and can cause temporary sight impairment.
main operational consideration re electrical solar panels
Where panels are involved in an incident they should always be considered to be live and capable of generating electricity. Unless completely destroyed by fire or dismantled/made safe by a specialist installer
Operational consideration re completley isolating electrical solar panels
The system isolation switch maybe located either on the main fuse board/consumer unit or near the inverter (see Appendix 1). If both the main fuse and consumer unit are isolated there will still be live current from the panels to the inverter which will also need to be made safe. An immediate request for the attendance of Electrical Authority or specialist installer for further guidance should be made.
Are they safe at night
Electricity: PV systems cannot be switched off between the panel and the isolator presenting an electric shock hazard. PV panels will continue to generate electricity even during minimal light levels for example during the night or dull weather. Scene lighting or bright moonlight may also enable electricity generation.
What power can they supply
1000v dc therefore High voltage
