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 […]
Tag: PV
A Practical Guide to PV Efficiency
At the end of June 2016, the world record for efficiency of rooftop solar modules was broken again: the US-based PV manufacturing company SunPower achieved an efficiency of 24.1% for a monocrystalline silicon-based PV panel, over 2% higher than the previous record. This news came shortly after the announcement earlier in the month of Hanwha […]
PV System Design: How to compete effectively in the wider market place
Commercial-scale PV systems present enormous opportunities for our industry. However, the requirements to source and verify a range of site-specific data over a large site is challenging. To then ensure this data correctly forms part of all aspects of the system’s performance and installation requirements can be complicated and unfamiliar to some system designers and […]
East West Arrays: Are they worth it?
The current cost of rooftop PV means that it can be cheaper to source your electricity from a rooftop solar system than buy it from the grid. A significant problem with this, however, is that people consume 50%+ of their electricity during the morning and evening when solar systems are not producing, is it possible […]
Emerging Technologies: Perovskite
Over the last 40 years photovoltaic (PV) technology has been steadily increasing in efficiency and decreasing in cost. This has resulted in a booming PV industry where PV research and development have continued to improve the technology. Currently, the primary material used in solar PV cells is crystalline Silicon; however, there are other materials used […]
Power Factor and Grid-Connected PV
As the level of Grid-Connected PV penetration continues to rise, the importance of power factor and power factor correction is going to become increasingly relevant both from the perspective of the grid and the customer. This article explains what power factor is, what it is caused by, its impact on the grid, and how GridConnected […]
PV Training challenges & how they affect installations
Since being established in 1998, GSES has focused on assisting the growth of Australian and international PV industries by providing quality training. GSES is recognised for its expertise in providing the training required for grid-connected PV design and install accreditation. In training many electricians and engineers, GSES has identified certain areas that prove to be […]
Solar Power Purchase Agreements
Solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are a financing model that has the potential to transition those operating as suppliers of energy-generating equipment to the role of the more traditional energy retailer. This transition will see solar installers mature commercially to become solar developers. PPAs have been around for many years and are widely used in […]
New CEC Endorsement Proposed for Grid Connected PV with Batteries: Training Requirements
New nationally recognised units of competency have been released in draft form setting out the knowledge and skills required for the design and installation of grid-connected PV systems with battery storage. The CEC has indicated that it will recognise completion of this training as an endorsement to Grid Connect PV Design and Installation accreditations: participants […]
Overview of incoming PCE requirements in AS/NZS 5033:2014
AS/NZS 5033:2014 states that the transition period for Power Conversion Equipment (PCE) will end on July 11th, 2015. After this date, all requirements for PCEs as described in AS/NZS 5033:2014 will be applicable. Although the changes are significant, they should come as no surprise to manufacturers of PCEs or the solar PV industry, as these […]