Building Integrated Photovoltaics: What is the potential for this PV technology?

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), as the name suggests, describe a PV system where solar PV modules are integrated within a building’s envelope, as oppose to conventional PV systems where modules are mounted on the top of existing roofs. BIPV products have been commercially available since the 1990s in Europe, but have not played a major […]

Connection of Inverter Energy Systems to the Grid: New requirements surround residual current devices

The industry has seen rapid uptake of solar PV and energy storage systems connected to multiple mode, or ‘hybrid’, inverters and battery systems over recent months. This has prompted many questions from installers and designers regarding the connection of inverter energy systems to existing electrical installations. While many common questions regarding connecting IES systems can […]

Battery Storage Systems: What are their chemical hazards?

While consumer interest in battery storage systems continues, an issue often overlooked when discussing the pros and cons of battery storage systems is the chemical hazards associated with the battery technology and ways of managing these hazards. An array of battery chemistries is available on the commercial market, and the range of products continues to […]

Generous Feed-in-tariff Schemes: their demise and what information is useful for affected system owners?

Various generous feed-in tariff (FiT) schemes, including NSW’s 60c Solar Bonus Scheme, will come to an end on the 31st December 2016. It is estimated that over 275, 000 households in Australia will be affected by these changes to feed-in tariffs. For PV system owners in states other than NSW, feed-in tariff rates will be […]

Battery Charging on AC Coupled Grid Connected Battery Systems

The advent of Grid Connected Battery (GCB) systems in Australia has led to increased interest in coupling GCB systems with existing or new solar PV system to increase energy self-sufficiency. GCB systems can be connected to a PV system as a DC coupled system, where the PV array is connected through a charge controller directly […]

Work Recommences on Draft Battery Storage Units

The hiatus in development of the draft Units of Competency UEERE4002A – Install, Maintain and Fault Find Battery Storage Systems for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems, and UEERE5001A – Design Battery Storage Systems for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems as a result of reforms in the Vocational Education and Training sector is finally over. The reform saw […]

Transition period ending for compliance to AS/NZS 4777.2:2015

The transition period for AS/NZS 4777.2: 2015 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters Part 2: Inverter requirements will end on the 10th October 2016, only 3 months away. The majority of inverters currently on the CEC approved product list currently expires on 9th October 2016. They will be removed from the list if manufacturers […]

Micro Inverters vs DC Optimisers: An Australian Installer’s Perspective

In many ways the rapid uptake of PV in Australia over the last decade has caused the city-based PV installer a problem: many of the easy, large area, unobstructed, north-facing roofs have already been used. Often this leaves us with “sub-optimal” installation options involving small areas where only 1-4 modules will fit, roof areas that […]

The Use of Variable speed drives with solar water pumping systems

The use of solar photovoltaics (PV) technology as an alternative to traditional energy sources such as petrol and diesel generators to power electric water pumps has become increasingly apparent. Solar PV technology is used extensively by remote villages and farmers as the power source to pump water for domestic consumption, sanitation, livestock and irrigation. A […]

Big solar’s ascendancy as coal slips in the popularity stakes. How ready is the Australian solar industry?

The Adani-owned Carmichael mega-mine inches ever so slowly towards a final approval amid falling coal prices and fierce community opposition. At the same time Adani has recently expressed interest in solar farms in South Australia and Queensland. What will the growth of Australia’s large scale solar sector be set to experience? The large scale solar […]

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