Solar Monitoring System
ExpoTech’s fully interactive solar monitoring system provides data on system status and output performance every 15 minutes.
This will allow you to view the status of the system remotely and track actual production against predicted performance data of your agricultural, commercial or industrial solar power system.
The solar monitoring system will automatically alert you should an error occur with a single inverter or if the system stops working as a result of a trip or power loss. It will detail the exact fault and the status of the affected inverter, minimising down time of the inverter and helping to diagnose any issues remotely.
Generation Monitoring
As a standard, the monitoring solutions we install are provided by inverter manufacturers. The monitoring platforms provide visibility of the solar generation through the inverter(s) on both web and mobile. While we advise that the monitoring hardware is connected to a suitable LAN connection, if this is not possible WiFi and GPRS (Mobile) solutions are also available. GPRS (mobile) solutions require a separate mobile data contract.
Daily generation through the month of May 2020.
Enhanced monitoring – incoming grid & exported solar
At additional cost, a solar monitoring solution can be installed which monitors imported electricity from the grid and exported (excess solar) electricity to the grid, along with your solar PV generation. This allows a holistic view of how solar PV is benefitting your business.
Understanding your electricity consumption, solar generation used and solar generation exported can help to:
- Identify opportunities to move consumption e.g. if equipment or plant used at certain times of the day can be moved to times of maximum solar generation, it will increase the amount of low-cost solar you use onsite (displacing the more costly electricity from the grid) and improve your commercial returns.
- Establish whether it makes sound commercial sense to incur the costs associated with installing and running an official ‘grid’ export meter. The official meter will allow your business to receive payment for any excess solar generation at around 5p per unit.
- Determine whether installing a battery system to maximise onsite use of the solar electricity generated is commercially attractive.
Enhanced monitoring, showing consumption, solar production and self-consumption. For this system, the ‘Month’ bar chart shows that 44% of the solar is used onsite and 65% of their electricity needs in May were met by their solar PV system.
Mypower HQ 50kWp system – Live Feed
On the roof of the Mypower head office we have a 50kW system. Click on the computer image on the right to view a live feed of our system production. This simple to read page can be displayed on any screen. Many of our customers have found this useful for marketing and staff information purposes. We proudly display this in our reception for visitors to see and to remind staff to think about their energy use.
Our own system has continued to outperform against our original generation predictions since its installation in March 2014.
Screen shot showing hourly production of each inverter
Have a system without a monitoring solution?
ExpoTech can retrospectively set up monitoring for any panel and inverter brand. We have a number of options, from self-monitoring through to complete management by ExpoTech.
Commercial solar power systems can last for as long as 40 years if they are well-maintained. Whether you are running a commercial solar PV panel system with energy storage solutions or an EV charging port, regular servicing and inspections are necessary to maintain their optimal performance.
Excel Energy provides comprehensive maintenance services that cover a number of commercial solar power systems. Our experts have years of experience in the solar power industry and have diagnosed a wide range of defects and performed repairs to get systems running quickly and efficiently.
Whether you need an emergency call out or scheduled periodic maintenance, our team are becoming the South’s number-one choice thanks to their friendly, responsive and professional service.
WHY DO YOU NEED COMMERCIAL SOLAR POWER MAINTENANCE?
We design our systems to require very little maintenance so that you can focus on running your business and maintaining the grounds. However, regular services and maintenance will not only prolong the system’s life expectancy but also ensure optimum performance for as long as possible.
There are several reasons why you need maintenance:
Extend Lifespan
Regular servicing and maintenance will increase your system’s lifespan as they provide an opportunity for every part of the system to be electrically tested. This means any problems will be spotted, diagnosed and repaired quickly and before they cause further issues with the system. These services will also include cleaning the parts, which will also prevent damage.
Optimal Performance
Maintenance will ensure that each part of the system is performing at its peak efficiency, so you can be confident that the whole system is maximising energy production and reducing the risk of problems.
Cost Savings
Services by professionals mean that low-level issues are found quickly and repaired before they become bigger problems, reducing the chance of needing an emergency call-out, which can be expensive.
Safety
Routine inspections help ensure your solar system remains safe for operation and the surrounding environment as they include checking for loose connections, inspecting mounting structures, and ensuring electrical components are functioning properly.
Warranty Compliance
Solar panel and system warranties often require regular maintenance to stay valid. A maintenance package will ensure that you don’t forget to complete a service so you don’t breach the warranty requirements.
Environmental Impact
By making sure that your solar system is running as efficiently as possible, you are reducing your carbon footprint and promoting sustainability.
Book your solar panel service today or enquire about our maintenance packages by calling ExpoTech team.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN AN ANNUAL SERVICE?
Our annual maintenance services are thorough and aim to find, diagnose and fix any potential problems your system might have. A typical service is split into two parts:
Part- 1
The first part will inspect and test the energy storage and inverters. This will include:
- Checks of AC and DC isolators
- Checks of DC junction boxes
- Integrity check of fuses and surge protectors
- Check performance to ensure energy generation is in line with the designs.
- Check the mounting frame of inverters
- Check there is sufficient ventilation of inverters with unobstructed airflow and functioning fans
- Check there is no moisture getting in the inverters
- Check for rusting.
- Check screws, bolts and nuts are fixed
- Check invert fault log content
- Check AC voltage at inverters
- Test DC circuits
- Check labelling and signage are present and correct
- Check the emergency shutdown procedure is visible
Part- 2
The second part of the service will include inspection and testing of the solar panels. This will include:
- Checking the DC connectors are secure, damage-free and away from water
- Check that cables are supported, where needed, and free from damage
- Check module clamps are secure and at correct torque level
- Check for rusting.
- Check the mounting rails remain secure and undistorted
- Test string series
- Test string insulation resistance
- Test Potential Induced Degradation
- Complete a thermographic survey for faulty components and module cells
WHEN TO BOOK A SERVICE
We would recommend that you schedule a professional service at least once a year.
However, if you notice any of the following, you should contact our team to book an appointment as soon as possible, as they may be signs that something is wrong with your system.
- Decreased energy production
- Unreliable performance
- Visible damage
- Unusual noises or error messages from your inverter
- Irregularities showing on your monitoring app
Quality Customer Service
Customer service is at the heart of what we do. We priorities quality customer service, putting communication at the center of everything we do. We will make sure that you understand the work we are doing at all times and are kept informed of our progress as we work. The solar power industry is full of jargon, so we make an effort not to use technical terms so that you understand what is being said.
Comprehensive Services
We offer comprehensive services that include bespoke designs and installations of commercial solar PV panels, energy storage solutions and EV charging ports. Not only does this mean you can keep all of your solar power needs with one company, but it also means that our teams have unparalleled knowledge about how a solar system works, which they can use to diagnose a problem.
