Tech Help

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Found 94 results

  1. How to find rafters on a roof for a solar installation

    Added by onur on 01/03/2012

    Safety Note:  Whenever working on a roof, use adequate fall protection.  An essential part of installing PV racking

    Article

  2. Electrical Noise Emissions from a Solar PV Inverter / Charger

    Added by waco on 01/02/2012

    Electrical interference is a problem that might be encountered with solar power system electronics.

    Article – 1 comment

  3. Using the WEEB solution for grounding in solar applications?

    Added by SunGuy on 12/22/2011

    Grounding PV modules to reduce or eliminate shock and fire hazards is necessary and required by the National Electrica

    Article

  4. How do you space a ground-mounted array?

    Added by SunGuy on 12/19/2011

    Here are some  pointers for a well designed ground-mounted array.

    Article

  5. What are the major roof types for installing solar?

    Added by onur on 12/13/2011

    As long as there is enough space and enough access to the sun, solar panels can be installed on just about any roof.

    Article – 4 comments

  6. Can an inverter be installed outdoors?

    Added by waco on 12/13/2011

    There are many inverters for PV systems that can be installed outdoors.

    Article

  7. Solar Powered Water Pumping

    Added by waco on 12/05/2011

    Any renewable energy source can make the electricity needed to power various appliances, including pumps.

    Article – 2 comments

  8. Key Elements Of Solar Energy Payback Period

    Added by waco on 11/29/2011

    Calculating the payback on an investment in a photovoltaic (PV) system is not as easy as it seems at first glance.

    Article

  9. String Inverter or microinverter, which is the right way to go?

    Added by waco on 11/29/2011

    Normal.dotm 0 0 1 120 684 5 1 840 12.0

    Article

  10. How Heat Affects Solar Panel Efficiency

    Added by waco on 11/08/2011

    Normal.dotm 0 0 1 120 684 5 1 840 12.0

    Article – 2 comments

  11. How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

    Added by waco on 11/01/2011

    The number most often referenced for the lifetime of a Silicon (Si) based solar panel is about 25 years.  Solar panels are an expensive up

    Article – 2 comments

  12. How does Ontario MicroFIT program work?

    Added by SunGuy on 10/28/2011

    The Ontario microFIT Program is available to small renewable energy projects located specifically in Ontario, including residential and sm

    Article

  13. What Happened to the PACE Program?

    Added by SunGuy on 10/26/2011

    In 2008, Berkeley, California successfully tested what would eventually become the PACE program.

    Article – 1 comment

  14. Solar Power for Charging The Electric Car

    Added by SunGuy on 10/21/2011

    Many people forget that most electric cars are recharged by plugging into an electric grid which is customarily fueled by coal, nukes or o

    Article

  15. Sizing the DC Disconnect for Solar PV Systems

    Added by SF_Solar on 10/20/2011

    A solar PV system typically has two safety disconnects. The first is the PV disconnect (or Array DC Disconnect).

    Article – 1 comment

  16. Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC)

    Added by Camilla Jacks on 10/13/2011

    In a grid-tied Solar PV System unused energy can be sent back to the utility at the grid connection. Solar PV system owners receive utilit

    Article – 4 comments

  17. Balance of System (BOS) for Solar PV

    Added by Dave Sesler on 10/10/2011

    A Solar PV Balance-of-System or BOS refers to the components and equipment that move DC energy produced by solar panels through the conver

    Article – 1 comment

  18. Microinverter Application for Off-Grid PV Systems

    Added by Solar Peter on 10/06/2011

    Approximately 5%-30% of collected energy is lost or wasted while an inverter converts DC power from solar PV to AC power. Inverter efficie

    Article – 6 comments

  19. Federal Tax Credits for Solar PV Systems

    Added by SunGuy on 09/30/2011

    Solar energy is considered the biggest winner of the United States Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 , which provides a tax

    Article – 1 comment

  20. Solyndra’s Bankruptcy and the Future of US Solar Manufacturing

    Added by Martha on 09/26/2011

    On August 31, 2011, American solar module manufacturer, Solyndra announced bankruptcy.

    Article – 1 comment

  21. Transformerless Inverters for Solar PV

    Added by Solar Peter on 09/26/2011

    What is a transformerless (TL) inverter?

    Article – 4 comments

  22. Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Certification

    Added by Martha on 09/22/2011

    NRTL certification means your solar panels and solar modules conform to safety, health, and environmental standards as required by: NEC

    Article – 3 comments

  23. Pros and Cons of Battery Backup PV Systems

    Added by Solar Peter on 09/14/2011

    Since PV systems produce electricity directly from sunlight and maximize the efficiency of energy collection, it may seem like adding or c

    Article – 1 comment

  24. Solar Arrays and Lightning Protection

    Added by Solar Peter on 09/12/2011

    Photovoltaic arrays are typically installed on rooftops, near power transmission lines, constructed of aluminum frames, and must be free f

    Article – 6 comments

  25. Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels

    Added by kevintai on 08/25/2011

    Mono means one while poly means many - just as in romantic relationships.  But what do they mean in terms of solar panels?  The

    Article – 10 comments