electricity

Why Solar Installations Fail Within Weeks or Months

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A poorly wired solar panel connection, showing a common reason why solar installations fail.

It’s frustrating when you invest in a solar energy system only to have it stop working properly shortly after installation. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for solar installations fail within weeks or months. The primary reasons for this early failure are almost always related to mistakes made during the design and installation process, rather than a problem with the panels themselves. These issues range from poor workmanship to using the wrong components for the job.

Common Causes of Early Solar System Failure

1. Poor Workmanship and Installation Errors

This is the most frequent cause of an early failure. Rushed or inexperienced installers can make several critical mistakes. These include:

  • Incorrect Wiring and Connections: Loose or faulty electrical connections can lead to system shutdowns, energy loss, and even fire hazards. The wiring might not be properly secured or insulated, making it vulnerable to weather or pests.
  • Improper Mounting and Roof Penetrations: If the panels are not mounted correctly, they can become unstable. More importantly, poorly sealed roof penetrations can cause leaks, leading to costly water damage to the building.
  • Lack of Proper Testing: Professional installers should conduct a full system test, or “commissioning,” before they hand the system over to you. Skipping this step means minor errors can go unnoticed until they cause a major problem.

2. Component Mismatch and Substandard Parts

A solar system is a combination of different parts, and they must work together perfectly. Using the wrong components can cause the entire system to fail.

  • Inverter Problems: The inverter converts the DC electricity from the panels into usable AC power for your home. If the inverter is not sized correctly for the number of panels, it can overheat and shut down. An undersized inverter can be a major reason why solar installations fail early on.
  • Using Low-Quality Components: Cheaper systems often use low-quality panels, wires, or inverters. These parts may not be durable enough to handle environmental stress and can degrade quickly, leading to a drop in performance or a complete failure.

3. Poor System Design and Site Assessment

Even with perfect installation, a system won’t work if it wasn’t designed correctly for its location.

  • Shading Issues: A small amount of shade on just one panel can drastically reduce the output of the entire system. Installers must perform a thorough site assessment to check for shading from nearby trees, chimneys, or other buildings at different times of the day and year. A poorly designed system that ignores shading will quickly underperform.
  • Incorrect Sizing: A system that is too small won’t meet your energy needs, and one that is too large is a waste of money. Poor system sizing, which can lead to frequent overloads or under-performance, is a critical reason why solar installations fail to meet expectations.
  • Ignoring Local Regulations: Failing to adhere to local building codes and permits can lead to legal issues and may even require you to have the system removed, costing you a lot of money and time.

An early failure of a solar installation is almost always a result of poor planning and execution. It’s vital to hire a certified and experienced installer who provides a warranty on their work and uses high-quality components.

Maintaining Tubular Lead-Acid Inverter Batteries: A Guide to Longevity

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Tubular lead Acid Battery

Tubular lead-acid batteries are a popular choice for inverters due to their durability and deep-cycle capabilities. However, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure optimal performance and extend their lifespan. This article provides key tips for maintaining your tubular lead-acid inverter battery:

1. Water Level Maintenance

  • Regular Checks: Regularly check the water levels in each cell. The frequency depends on usage and environmental conditions, but generally, check at least once every 2-3 months. More frequent checks are recommended in hot climates or with heavy usage.
  • Topping Up: If the water level is low, carefully top up with distilled water only. Never use tap water, as it contains impurities that can damage the battery.
  • Avoid Overfilling: Ensure the water level remains within the recommended range. Overfilling can lead to acid spillage during charging.

2. Terminal Care

  • Corrosion Prevention: Corrosion on battery terminals can hinder performance and lead to poor connections.
  • Cleaning: Regularly clean terminals with a baking soda and water solution. Apply petroleum jelly or a terminal protector afterward to prevent future corrosion.

3. Prevent Overcharging

  • Charger Compatibility: Use a compatible charger with an automatic shutoff feature to prevent overcharging, which can significantly damage the battery.
  • Inverter Settings: Ensure your inverter is set up to properly regulate charging.

4. Avoid Deep Discharge

  • Regular Use: Try to use the battery at least once a month to prevent deep discharge, which can significantly reduce its lifespan.
  • State of Charge Monitoring: Keep an eye on the battery’s state of charge to avoid deep discharge.

5. Environmental Considerations

  • Temperature Control: Avoid storing the battery in direct sunlight or near heat sources. High temperatures can accelerate battery degradation.
  • Dry Environment: Keep the battery area dry to prevent corrosion and short circuits.

6. Professional Maintenance

  • Regular Checkups: Consider having a qualified technician perform regular maintenance checks on your battery, especially if you’re unsure about any aspect of battery care.

7. Battery Replacement

  • Lifespan: Tubular batteries typically have a lifespan of 5-7 years with proper maintenance.
  • Replacement: Consider replacing older batteries to avoid unexpected failures.

By following these maintenance tips, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your tubular lead-acid inverter battery and ensure reliable power during outages. Remember to refer to your battery’s warranty and maintenance guidelines for specific recommendations.

How Electricity Gets Into Our Homes

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Power Grid

Electricity is generated at power plants, which can use a variety of fuels such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind, and solar energy to generate electricity. Once generated, the electricity is transmitted over long distances through a network of high-voltage power lines, known as the power grid.

The power grid is managed by utility companies, which distribute the electricity to homes and businesses through a system of lower-voltage power lines and transformers.

When the electricity reaches your neighborhood, it is delivered to a distribution transformer that reduces the voltage to a level that can be safely used in homes and businesses. From there, the electricity is distributed through underground or overhead power lines to individual homes and businesses, where it enters the building through a service drop or service lateral.

Inside the building, the electricity passes through a meter that measures the amount of electricity used, and then enters a circuit breaker panel or fuse box, where it is distributed to various circuits throughout the building. These circuits supply power to outlets, appliances, lighting, and other electrical devices in the home.

How to care for your Electric Generator set

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Electric Generator

If you are like me that lives in an area where there is epileptic power supply from the national grid then you most certainly have an electric generator set.

Electric generating sets are very costly these days, most people cannot afford them but if you can afford one then you have to take good care of it so that it can last much longer for you.

Whether you are using your generator for business or at home, giving it good maintenance will make you get the very best out of it. Maintenance of your electric generating set starts even from the time you go to purchase it. Why did I say this, you must know your energy needs, before planning to purchase a generator. My safe rule is this;  buy a generating set that is  twice the capacity of your energy needs. For instance, if the energy needs of all your appliances is 2000 watts,  then buy a generator of around 4000 watt capacity. Don’t go and buy a generator of a 1000 watt capacity because no amount of maintenance will make that generator last because its capacity is too small for the load you are subjecting it to.

Should you purchase a new or fairly used generator

In the course of my life I have purchased several electric generating sets both new and fairly used and my verdict is this:

Don’t buy fairly used generating sets, it won’t pay you in the long run. Most of these type of generators have  lost their original quality value and they do have a problem that is why the owner decided to sell it. So by  buying it, you just inherited the problem.  You will most likely end up making several repairs on the generator and at the end of the day it becomes a burden. It’s not worth it. Just save up and buy a brand new generator, that’s the best, whether you are using it for business or for home use.

How to buy original electric generator

If you want to buy a good high-quality generating set then go for one that has a very original branding. The branding, the logo of the manufacturers must be engraved into the body parts of the generating sets not just pasted only. Sometimes it pays if you do a little research before you go and purchase. Ask people who have generator sets or those that repair them about how you can identify an original generator in the market. Read the information that is written on the body and packaging,  it can give you  useful clues as per the originality and capacity of the generator. Don’t always believe what the dealer tells you.

How to maintain your generator

All brand new generators come with a service manual that shows you when to service your generator and what parts you should clean, service or change. There are some forms of generator service you can do yourself and there are others you will have to contact a qualified technician.

Generator service you can do yourself

If you are using the gasoline generator then you can service these 3 things yourself

  1. Change or clean the air foam filter.
  2. Clean or change the spark plug
  3. Change the engine oil

The air foam filter can be cleaned after every 50 hours of use. Air foam filter purifies the air that goes into the generator and is usually located beside the carburettor. It is cleaned by washing the dirty foam  in a high flash solvent such as kerosene, then dipping in clean engine oil and squeezing out excess engine oil.

The spark plug should be serviced every 3 months or so. To service a spark plug just to remove it and clean any dirt that is inside of it then put it back. Spark plug ensures the smooth running of the generator. If your generator is experiencing hard starting or is struggling to carry electrical load that it normally does easily before,  then one of the first checks to make is that of the spark plug.

Change the engine oil of your generator  with a brand new oil of motor quality every month if you use it everyday or every two days. The function of engine oil is to clean its internal parts, give it lubrication and cool it down during use. When the colour of the engine oil has become dark or black then it is due for changing.

Also, watch out for nuts and bolts that may come off the body of the generator during use and fix them back. During normal working conditions, the generator can sometimes experience heavy vibrations which can cause screws, nuts and bolts to loosen over time.

Other types of service such as service of the carburettor or repair of engine parts should be done by qualified personnel.

How to connect batteries in series and parallel. Simply explained .

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Battery cells connected in series

Batteries connected in series

A series connection of batteries is achieved when the negative terminal of one battery  cell is connected to the positive terminal of another battery cell. 2 or more battery cells can be connected this way. An example of application of series connection of batteries is in the use of a touch light. Typically 2 batteries are connected in series for the touch light to come on.

In a series connection of batteries, voltage increases while current stays constant.

For example let’s say 2 battery cells are rated 1.5 V and 1A each and the cells are connected in series. Then the combined voltage for the series connection  becomes 1.5V + 1.5V = 3V but the current remains 1A.

Using the previous cell ratings, an electrical appliance that needs 6 volts to come on will require 4 battery cell connection in series

Battery cells connected in parallel.

batteries connected in parallel

A parallel connection of batteries is achieved when the positive terminal of one battery cell is connected to the positive terminal of another battery cell. The same is done to the negative terminals of the battery cells.

In a parallel battery connection, voltage stays constant but current increases.

For example let’s say 2 battery cells are rated 1.5V and 1A each. If the batteries are connected in parallel then their combined ratings are 1.5V and (1A +1A) = 2A

Application of series and parallel connection of battery cells

A very good knowledge of series and parallel connection of battery cells enables the development of battery packs with with different voltage ratings and capacities.

How to care for your Electrical Petrol Generator

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Caring for your electrical generating set to make it last longer.I will discuss this topic under 4 subtopics namely;

  • Purchasing a good generator
  • Changing the engine oil
  • Changing the spark plug
  • Loading the generator 
  • Don’t let it run out of fuel

Purchasing a good generator

If you want your electrical generator to last, then make sure you purchase an original. An original generator that is badly managed will still last up to a year, and if properly managed can be useful for years (  3 years at least ).

A fake generator will last only a couple of months even if properly maintained. A fake generator is called so because it is made up of low quality materials. It may cost less but it usually won’t be worth it at the end of the day. Don’t rush to purchase a generator, take your time to search, check and scrutinize. If you really can’t differentiate an original from fake, sincerely talk to the dealer to give you an original product with guarantee. Be ready to spend more to obtain an original product, it pays.

Changing the engine oil.

This is the main maintenance secret. If you want your electrical generating set to last then change its engine oil every month with good quality oil( that is if you use it regularly). Never run the generator on low engine oil. Before you start your generator, always check the engine oil level using the dip stick. If it is low, fill it up to the required gauge with good quality oil. Don’t over gauge. The engine oil is the life of your machine, don’t run it on low oil, and low quality oil.

Changing the spark plug

All petrol generators are fitted with a spark plug. The Spark plug makes the engine run smoothly delivering maximum efficiency. Most of the time when the engine will not start it is because the spark plug is faulty. Also when the engine is not running smoothly and quietly, the spark plug is usually the culprit. So if you notice that your electrical generating set won’t start, or starts after several attempts, or does not run smoothly and quietly as before, check and change the spark plug if necessary.

Loading the generator.

Generators are rated based on the electrical loads they can handle. The ratings are clearly stated on the body or packaging of the generator. A generator with a rating of say 2.5 Kva or 2.5 kw  means that is the maximum electrical load it can handle safely. From experience don’t load your generator above half of its stated rating.  For instance if a generator rating states 3kva, then don’t use it to power electrical appliances adding up to more than 1.5kva. Doing this won’t put much stress on the engine and will make it last longer.

Don’t Let Your generator run out of fuel

Do not form the habit of letting your generator run out of fuel. If you use a diesel generator then, Never let it run out of fuel because you will always need a qualified technician to restart the engine for you anytime it occurs. If you use a petrol engine; you can still restart it when it runs out of fuel but if you form the habit of doing so, the carburetor will damage quickly and soon you will not be able to restart the generator when it occurs again without the help of a technician.