serious worries.

[stavtoon]

Maybe too much reading or maybe not but i have serious concerns regarding my installation.
1) 14 ET solar panels one string due south no shading but 6 are in landscape and end clamped is this ok with these panels.
2) no earth bonding of array and we have velux windows.
3) eversolar 4000TL is this ok for system.
4) 2.5mm cable from inverter to fuseboard for about 5m run.

What actions and in which order do i approach these issues with the installer bearing in mind my fit contract isnt through yet.System was installed 5th December with monies all exchanged so i have no bargaining tool as such.
How would you installers like to be approached (not that you would do a job like this) about any issues.Do i have any official body to contact if the installer refuses to address any of these problems and would it effect my FIT.The PV has produced 388 Kwh by the inverter but 384 by the meter.

 

[SolarCity]

Which ET solar panels are they?

The array needs bonding because you're on a TL inverter. I would argue that it should also be bonded anyway if the array can be reached from your velux window.

Eversolar 4000TL may be okay but it depends on what panels are installed.

2.5mm cable? I'd say 4mm at least - preferably 6mm.

How would I like to be approached? I'd like the customer to simply phone up and explain his concerns. The contractor can either explain why the install is the way it is or let you know that he intends to rectify it.

If you are not satisfied, you could ask MCS for advice.

 

[stavtoon]

the panels are 235 so its 3290 we did have another panel delivered to be fit but then the roofers explained that our "chimney was in the way" so asked if we wanted it fit on the kitchen roof which faces east and is heavily shadowed,luckily i knew enough by then to say no thanks refund needed.Should have known then i was a cattle on the cowboy ranch.Thanks for this by the way.Can you explain why 2.5mm cable is wrong when its ok for the sockets throughout the house

 

[GaryM]

PV SOL says the panels and inverter are a match.

I suppose it'll be common to see a discrepancy between the total output from the inverter and a generation meter. Some inverters (my Fronius for example) have an option to apply a correction factor to their output to align it with the generation meter. Have you looked in the settings to see if you have that option?

 

[stavtoon]

i wouldnt dare touch the thing mate i could break a new f**ny.Might have a good read of the booklet.

 

[GaryM]

i wouldnt dare touch the thing mate i could break a new f**ny.Might have a good read of the booklet.

Lol, as you say, best to start with the manual then!

http://www.ever-solar.com/website/product/TL/TL4000GB_Installation_and_operating_instructions.pdf

 

[FB.]

Maybe too much reading or maybe not but i have serious concerns regarding my installation.
1) 14 ET solar panels one string due south no shading but 6 are in landscape and end clamped is this ok with these panels.
2) no earth bonding of array and we have velux windows.
3) eversolar 4000TL is this ok for system.
4) 2.5mm cable from inverter to fuseboard for about 5m run.

What actions and in which order do i approach these issues with the installer bearing in mind my fit contract isnt through yet.System was installed 5th December with monies all exchanged so i have no bargaining tool as such.
How would you installers like to be approached (not that you would do a job like this) about any issues.Do i have any official body to contact if the installer refuses to address any of these problems and would it effect my FIT.The PV has produced 388 Kwh by the inverter but 384 by the meter.

.

While your installation might not be the most impressive design and workmanship, it isn't performing too badly.

.

If the cables are too small (e.g. 2.5mm instead of 4mm) there will be a small loss of efficiency, but only a few percent.

.

A 3.29kWp system, facing South with 40-degree tilt, should have generated a bit less than 400kWh since early December. Your figure of 388/384 is close to that and very much within the realms of possibility. The meter is the most accurate - and the one from which FiT payments will be calculated.
If you face SE/SW, you'd be expecting about 300kWh from your system since early December. East/West system about 200kWh.
It also depends on where you are, with Northerly areas likely to generate a little less.
Some solar arrays in more Southern/sunny parts of the UK are exceeding those generation figures.

.

I think that the main problem with clamping panels incorrectly is flexing (and risk of breaking) of the panel in strong winds or perhaps under a very heavy snow load.

 

[powervan]

Earthing array TL invertas HERE WE GO AGAIN !! i would say 65% of instals in uk with TL invertas are not earthed !! Y well 1/hassle 2/arguments on do they realy need it 4/ manufactures of some invertas saying NO u dont NEED TO? well yes it the the (bible) it said EARTH if TL inverta!! all i will say is your instal isnt on its own!! ref 2.5mm i run 4mm for most runs to invertas (never had any probs) but if realy long run then 6mm!! fitted a steca inverta last week and they spec 2.5mm So you have concerns but prob nothing realy wrong with install except prob end clamps being on ENDS of panels in landscape? but cheque with ET about that as i know most panel manufactures dont like that! as before SPEAK to company !! IF U WANT U GET !! client satisfaction is what its all about!!

 

[Stevesolargill]

My thoughts are that a 3.6 inverter would have been a better match but as previously posted, the 4kw Eversolar is a match.

Regarding the short side fixing, from what I've read, ET Solar panels shouldn't be fixed this way and it will contravene the warranty conditions.

I will be happy to hear other people's thoughts on this???

 

[JulianC]

I think you are right on the short side fixing voiding the warranty on ET modules. Looked at some but discounted them for that very reason.

The main potential problem with the 2.5mm cable is the possibility of the inverter tripping out under times of high generation if the mains voltage is high - the voltage drop can be enough to force the inverter output up beyond its G83 limit

Oh, and the array frame should be bonded. Of that there is no doubt.

 

[powervan]

Before the MADNESS invertas were slightly undersized (best way to get the best yields) now its a case of get what u can 90% of the time there OVERSIZED so not so good yields but supply/demand!!!!!!!!!!!!! case of GET IT IN before deadline im affraid!! ps try the STECA inverta lads one string takes serious power simple to use and set up h2o supply them ask for anthony (very helpful)

 

[GaryM]

It's probably not a bad inverter choice. 14 x ET 235W panels, south facing using my area for location (Manchester):

Eversolar TL4000 - 2841.7kWh
Eversolar TL3200 - 2825.2kWh
Stecagrid 3000 - 2816.6kWh
Secagrid 3600 - 2811.5kWh
Fronius IGTL3.6 - 2797.8kWh
PowerOne PVI3600 - 2775.4kWh

 

[yellowvanman]

Agree with Powervan! re Earthing!

Spoke to a supplier yesterday and questioned their advice that a TL inverter doesn't need earthing! Advice from the 'installer expert' (who was supposably on site installing) was if you can't touch it from a velux then don't bother earthing. He was aware of the DTI flow chart but didn't seem to correlate it to what I was saying! Also wasn't able to differentiate from a TNCS to a TNS/TT system! ie. his interpretation was earth to a stake whatever!

Maybe I should have taken up the offer to be an assessor and failed some of these cowboys!

Anyway I won't have to bother with all this crap in future unless something drastic happens to make me change my mind for the future!

 

[powervan]

yellowvanman lol U helped me first on this forum (testing the array) got me through the PANIC pre assesment stage !! its such a shame that like u its all getting to much for the sole trader !! damm forgot to do lottery (numbers bound to comeup now) !!

 

[pwboston]

2.5mm on a 5m run no problems