Solar PV Upgrades

The vast majority of solar PV systems will be installed such that they will perform correctly and reliably for years to come. However, particularly for installations from several years ago, newer technology may help to get more out of your installation. Over the last 10 years the major elements of a solar PV installation have technologically advanced, particularly in the last 5 years or so.

Module improvements

Most notably solar PV module efficiency, build quality and appearance have improved, allowing greater power output for a given area. Along with this there’s also been a drop in the cost of the modules, too. The result is a smaller cheaper system which is capable of outputting more energy. In most cases though, it’s not worth upgrading the modules in your system….but it is possible to add some additional array to increase your yield for a lower cost compared to when your installation was carried out.

Inverter improvements

Inverter technology has also advanced, with increases in efficiency and changes in inverter type to allow more flexible and better performing design of systems. A recent large step improvement has been the introduction of module level maximum power point tracking, known as Optimisation. Inverter brand SolarEdge have redesigned how systems are operated, resulting in significant benefits to design and operation. This means more flexible design, more modules can be installed as shading effect is minimised, as well as mismatches caused by module degradation or uneven soiling are eliminated compared to a traditional string inverter system. The system consists of an Optimiser, a small box, being installed with each module in your system. This means that every module in the whole system is always able to perform to the best of its abilities, and not restrained by other modules as is the case on a traditional string inverter system. SolarEdge have also released the most efficient inverter on the market in 2016, further increasing performance of the system overall.

Benefits of SolarEdge include:

• Module level MPPT (maximum power point tracking).
• Safety as a result of the SafeDC system.
• Module level monitoring allowing performance and fault observation and diagnosis by you and your installer.
• 12 year warranty on inverter, 25 year warranty on optimisers.
• Flexibility to add even more monitoring, including net import/export to grid.
• Making your system as battery ready as possible (including Tesla Powerwall).

Solar iBoost

The Solar iBoost+ automatically adjusts the amount of power going to your immersion heater depending on your levels of excess energy. The Solar iBoost controller is usually installed in an airing cupboard adjacent to your hot water tank.

Tigo Optimizers

Tigo Optimizers get the maximum energy output from your array and minimize the losses from shading, module mismatch, degradation, and other issues.

Interested?

If you want to find out more relative to your system, just get in touch and we’ll be happy to keep you right. And if you do decide to go ahead, we promise our usual quality service and competitive price.