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Existing PV Install, Coombe, St Stephens, Cornwall.
We were called to this property due to a fault on the clients existing Solar PV installation.
The client was experiencing a low insulation resistance fault, which was stopping the system from functioning. The system was divided into 3 separate strings, so we quickly identified the faulty string, and removed this from the system to get the remaining modules generating again.
After some discussion, taking the system age into account and discussing the benefits of an upgrade to SolarEdge, a system design was carried out.
We used our design tool to draw the property, create a 3D. model, locate the positions of the existing 250W Suntech modules, and produce a comprehensive report on the systems expected production using the SolarEdge system.
This showed an increase in expected production, due to the level of shading experienced onto the array with shadowing from trees, and power cables opposite.
Due to the degradation of the panels over time, the difference in the lowest and highest performing panel was noticeable, on the existing string based system this would have reduced capacity significantly.
We removed the panels, installed the SolarEdge Optimisers, which allow each panel to work independently from the other panels in the system, maximising output, and remounted the panels using the existing rails and clips.
It was decided at this time to replace the wiring from the inverter to the panels, due to poor installation from the original contractors.
The inverter was replaced for the new SolarEdge 3680H, a ModBus meter was installed to show the client there import/export and generation, and a SolarEdge hot water controller was added to maximise usage of generated power rather than exporting it, also reducing the need for the oil boiler to heat the hot water cylinder.
The finished product is a system that performs to the best possible output, using as much of the solar generation as possible, and maximising revenue on the clients investment.
