04 Solar Electrical System Installation

PV module installation

• Types of mounts
• Fixed mounts
• Roof mounts
• Ground mounts
• Trackers
• Location safety
• Fire safety
• Mounting angle
• Parallel vs series connection

• Identify various mounts used in a typical installation
• Be able to choose and provide reasons for selection of a location
• Identify causes of fires and how to prevent them
• Know to mount solar PV modules to maximise efficiency

Inverters

• Definitions: Power factor
• Definitions: KVA vs KW
• Low-frequency inverters
• High-frequency inverters
• Off-grid, grid-type and hybrid inverters
• Updating inverter firmware

• Explain the various definitions and their relevance
• Read and Interpret the manufacturing data specification sheets
• Explain the difference between low-frequency and high-frequency inverters
• Explain scenarios where you would install one over the other
• Be able to update inverter firmware and roll back bad updates

Safety devices

• Isolators
• Fuses
• Circuit breakers
• Earthing
• Lightning arrestors
• Shunts
• Busbars
• Terminals
• Automatic voltage switchers
• Changeover switches
• Battery equalizer
• Junction boxes

• Describe the various fuses in uses
• Explain the types of circuit breakers and advantages over fuses
• Demonstrate proper earthing methods and the importance of earthing an installation
• Identify and apply the proper protection from lightning
• Explain the importance of and select the proper shunt
• Properly size bus bars
• Explain the use of the automatic voltage switcher
• Explain the use of the changeover switch
• Explain the purpose of the battery equaliser

Battery installation

• Series and parallel connection
• Battery balancing

• Install batteries in series or parallel circuit
• Explain why you would install either in parallel or series
• Ensure that batteries are balanced before installation
• Be able to set battery equalisation as required