Inverters in lofts?

[hduz5]

I'd be really interested to hear peoples opinions about mounting inverters in lofts. I've worked for two solar companies. The first one would go out of their way to avoid mounting in a loft if an alternative location was possible, the second one seems to think it is much less of an issue.

I am an installer, not a system designer so I would be curious to hear other peoples advice? And does that advice differ for TL and HF inverters?

Cheers

 

[SolarCity]

There are two very good reasons for mounting inverters outside of lofts - heat and dust.

Loft spaces will tend to get cooler after the panels have been mounted on them as they absorb most of the direct sunlight/heat themselves but it is actually quite surprising how warm a loft space can get around an inverter - which produces its own heat.

There are two good reasons for installing inverters IN lifts - simplicity and losses in the cable.

We upgrade the size of the cable to counter the power losses. We mainly install in garages or on outside walls (as long as it doesn't receive too much direct sunlight.

 

[hduz5]

Is the issue with heat and dust that they lead to a shorter lifespan for the inverter? Or is that they reduce efficiency?

 

[SolarCity]

It does both. Electronics hates heat and dust. It will shorten the life of the inverter and reduce its efficiency.

 

[sdc8843]

Does this mean that the inverters are mounted directly on an outside wall (IP rating enough) or would you try to box them in outside?

 

[SolarCity]

I wouldn't box them if I can help it. Keep them out of direct sunlight and that should be enough.

 

[loskie]

Why all the talk of dust in lofts? Our 1860 cottage's loft is dry and airy no dust. Admittedly does get warm in summer but so does the flat roofed garage. Certainly less dust than in the garage with its unsealed concrete floor.

 

[dansk]

Not all lofts are the same, and that's why most solar systems are custom desgined to each property.

 

[STEL]

What IP rating does an inverter need to be suitable to mount it outside?

 

[Worcester]

IP Code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

IP65