Tech Help

Got a question? Take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of other CivicSolar members. Have a special skill or tip to pass on? Consider posting an article and adding to the depth of the CivicSolar knowledge base.

+ Type to add and search questions

Found 358 results

Sort by:

  1. What is passive solar tracking?

    Asked 04/14/2011

    Could you explain me the details of 'passive' solar tracking? Is there a significant reduction in efficiency?

    Question – 1 comment

  2. Can you recommend a single axis tracker for my project?

    Asked 04/14/2011

    What are the benefits of single axis tracker? I'm building a 3 kW solar system on my back yard. Thank you.

    Question – 1 comment

  3. Have you seen the DynoRaxx system?

    Asked 04/13/2011

    I visited the DynoRaxx booth at PV America. They said it was their debut to the public.

    Question – 5 comments

  4. What is galvanic separation?

    Asked 04/12/2011

    I am reading in the SMA TL installation manual that the transformerless inverters don't have galvanic seperation. What does it mean?

    Question – 1 comment

  5. Which Fronius monitoring option should I use for three IG inverters?

    Asked 04/11/2011

    I'm trying to figure out which Fronius monitoring option I should be purchasing. Since there are lots of products I am confused.

    Question – 3 comments

  6. What is the panel mounting hole range of Ironridge UNI-SP/01XH?

    Asked 04/11/2011

    The installation manual and the drawings of the Ironridge Side of Pole  UNI-SP/01XH doesn't state the maximum and minimum hole dis

    Question – 1 comment

  7. What size pole should I use for Ironridge Top of Pole mount?

    Asked 04/11/2011

    The installation manual doesn't really mention. 2.0" or 3.0" diameter pole? Can I use other sizes?

    Question – 1 comment

  8. What size pole should I use for Ironridge Side of Pole mount?

    Asked 04/11/2011

    Is 3.0" diameter pole only available size for the ironridge side of pole mount?

    Question – 1 comment

  9. Can I use Magnum MM612AE Modified Sine Wave inverter for my laptop?

    Asked 04/08/2011

    Do laptops and cell phone chargers require pure sine wave or is the Magnum MM612 AE inverter/charger good for my application?

    Question – 1 comment

  10. When can you use a transformerless inverter on a solar installation?

    Asked 04/06/2011

    SMA released the transformerless Sunny Boy 8000TL, 9000TL and the 10000TL inverters.   I think that Fronius and Power-one both also have a

    Question – 1 comment

  11. Can I use Romex wire on a solar installation?

    Asked 04/04/2011

    Is Romex cable in conduit rated for the AC side of an instalaltion that uses Enphase? Or do I have to use THHN wire in conduit?

    Question – 1 comment

  12. Why is 'cells per module' specification important?

    Asked 04/04/2011

    What is the importance of 'cells per module'? Should I pay attention to this specification while choosing a solar panel?

    Question – 2 comments

  13. Is there any hope for my charge controller?

    Asked 03/31/2011

    I have solar panels on top of my RV to keep a battery charged. I have not been using the RV, so it has been sitting here.

    Question – 1 comment

  14. What type of lugs do I use with Fronius IG Plus Bus Bar combiners?

    Asked 03/31/2011

    I am trying to figure out what type of lugs do I need for using the Fronius IG Plus Combiner Bus Bar . Thanks

    Question – 1 comment

  15. Could you advise on my off grid solar PV system?

    Asked 03/30/2011

    Let me tell you what I'm going to do and you tell me if it sounds right.  I'm going to put two 270w panels in series, with a Vmp

    Question – 2 comments

  16. What's the difference between PowerGate Plus and S-Type Satcon PVS-50 inverters?

    Asked 03/30/2011

    I noticed that there is an S-type Satcon PVS-50 inverter in addition to PowerGate Plus 50kW . Do you know what the difference is?

    Question – 1 comment

  17. What's the difference between F3 and F4 Sharp NU series solar panels?

    Asked 03/30/2011

    I found out that both Sharp NU-U235F4 and NU-U235F3 exists. The data sheets look exactly th the same. What does F3 and F4 refer to?

    Question – 6 comments

  18. How do you connect SMA Sunny Island to a 240V three phase service panel?

    Asked 03/29/2011

    For my grid tied system, together with an SMA Sunny Boy 5000US, I am considering buying a Sunny Island S4248U inverter.

    Question – 1 comment

  19. Are IronRidge roof mount products Ontario Micro FIT compatible?

    Asked 03/29/2011

    A client in Ontario wants to use Ironridge roof mount system; are Ironridge products Ontario Micro-FIT program compliant?

    Question – 1 comment

  20. Is the Neutral wire required when connecting Fronius IG Plus 11.4-3 to a 3-phase 208 service?

    Asked 03/29/2011

    I need to know whether I have to run the neutral cable from the inverter to the service panel. Thank you.

    Question – 1 comment

  21. Do I use the total conductor distance or separate branches' distance of a fused wire when calculating wire size?

    Asked 03/29/2011

    When I'm figuring what size wire and the distance I can run at a certain amp and voltage my question is this:  According to my specs

    Question – 4 comments

  22. I'm interested in going off-grid, but what about the hazards of used lead-acid batteries on the environment?

    Asked 03/28/2011

    I've had my grid-tied PV system for 4 years now and I love it.

    Question – 3 comments

  23. Do you hook modules in series or in parallel for a 24V system?

    Asked 03/27/2011

    For Four 235W solar panels;  DO YOU HOOK YOUR PANELS IN SERIES OR PARALLEL TO A 24VOLT SYSTEM?

    Question – 1 comment

  24. Do I need more than one charge controller for two Outback VFX3524 inverters?

    Asked 03/27/2011

    DO I NEED MORE THAN ONE CHARGE CONTROLLER FOR TWO OUTBACK VFX3524 OFF-GRID INVERTERS?

    Question – 1 comment

  25. What does power output tolerance refer to?

    Asked 03/25/2011

    When you check the specifications of solar panels they have  listed power tolerances + or -.  For example + 2 or -3, would someone explain

    Question – 2 comments