How worried should I be?

[Orffyreus]

Not that you needed telling but here is how your system compares..I assume you have had no joy from "the company" yet, its about time that they were named and shamed. :gunsmilie: Compare Solar Bates 4.000kW vs SKYLINE1 2.000kW

 

[Gavin A]

I'd lay odds there's either shading (which can even be from misaligned panels), or more likely the system has been wired for single MPPT operation.

speaking of which, we've got one that I've got to go back and reconfigure because a spark doing a rewire on the rest of the house who'd done a few solar systems before, thought he knew better than us and decided he should put the links in on the inverter that turns it into single MPPT mode on a system with arrays on 2 roof faces at 90 degrees to each other. Cheers for the assistance mate.:furious3:

 

[FB.]

I'd lay odds there's either shading (which can even be from misaligned panels), or more likely the system has been wired for single MPPT operation.

From what I can see of Dan's array (assuming it's the one I think it is), there is no shading of the 10 East-facing panels and only low-level shading of the 6 South-facing panels. By low-level I mean the panels are on a single-storey garage but there are buildings nearby which are two-storey and may cause a little shading early and late in the day.

 

[Gavin A]

tbh, my money would be on them having installed the links in the inverter to turn it into single mppt... it seems some are seeing this packet with the links in it included in the inverter and just assuming they must be meant to be installing them / not realising when they should and when they shouldn't.

 

[FB.]

My array is probably only just outside of shouting distance from Dan's, is of similar size and has an azimuth (East-South-East) between his two East and South arrays.
Compare Cambs S P 3.750kW vs Solar Bates 4.000kW

Dan, give me a shout if you'd like me to drop in - I can do almost any time as I work from home.
I'm happy to take a five minute wander over and see if I can break it.

 

[sedgy34]

Go compare lol

 

[FB.]

I'll have a look at the string voltages the next time the sun is up.

Did you manage to note down the string(s) voltages?

Also, is your Aurora the outdoor or the indoor model?

 

[DanB]

I've actually been really busy the last couple of weeks, so I haven't had much time to follow this up with the company (10 days and heard nothing), do any more research to teach myself the finer points of PV technology, or take photos etc.

Entertainingly, the meter reader came from Scottish Power today, and he was very keen to point out that the supply was dangerous!

I had taken a couple of pictures this morning though:

The pile of debris I collected from my loft after the installation:



The installation in the loft:



I also recorded the run through of the inverter menu this morning, while the panels were producing 500W (because the talk of strings and MPPT is currently beyond me, and this might give you guys the answers?):

[video=youtube_share;EloI56Xa_Ic]http://youtu.be/EloI56Xa_Ic[/video]

FB - it's the outside model I think.

 

[Orffyreus]

Hi Dan,
I notice from the picture they also left a shoe in your loft, how careless can you get!!

The answer is in your video, no production on Pin1/Vin1 which is probably linked to the 10 panel array.

If you have a multi-meter you can test the string supply on pin1 (the one on the bottom left as you look at it) Isolate before disconnecting then turn back on to test. There are over 300 volts DC (or should be) so exercise caution as DC is a dangerous animal.

 

[Orffyreus]

Actually I have just made a calculation and both arrays must be producing something, If you turn of one isolator then check voltage output on inverter you will see the change.

As Gavin A said in an earlier post it is possible that it is set up with one MPPT (channel) when it requires two for max efficiency or to perform properly. The front panel will have to come off and the wiring checked (there will be a bridge wire that need removing)

Page 13 shows the bridge wire

http://www.power-one.com/sites/powe...ion_manual_for_aurora_string_pv_inverters.pdf

 

[DanB]

I'll take the panel off and get a picture of the wiring later. I don't have a multi-meter, and I don't think I would know enough about this stuff to safely start disconnecting and testing things...

Btw, I didn't leave the shoe - it was connected to my foot at the time

 

[jason121]

Actually I have just made a calculation and both arrays must be producing something, If you turn of one isolator then check voltage output on inverter you will see the change.

As Gavin A said in an earlier post it is possible that it is set up with one MPPT (channel) when it requires two for max efficiency or to perform properly. The front panel will have to come off and the wiring checked (there will be a bridge wire that need removing)

Page 13 shows the bridge wire

http://www.power-one.com/sites/powe...ion_manual_for_aurora_string_pv_inverters.pdf

Look on the floor, you might find the bridge wires, unless there is more.

 

[Orffyreus]

Well spotted Jason121, I was too busy looking at the shoe, it will be interesting to see the inverter with the panel off, maybe a couple of nails acting as a bridge perhaps?

 

[Gavin A]

well the problem is obvious from that video.

they've either run it all into input 2, or one string isn't connected properly, as input 1 is showing no voltage, and no power.

er as someone's already pointed out.

 

[DanB]

Okay, here is the panel:





No shoes this time

There's an 'input' dip switch which is at 'Ind' - is that correct? Going off to look at the manual now.