Beyond Solar Panels and Inverters…
There’s more to a rooftop solar power system than solar panels and inverters.
When considering off grid solar options, most people forget about the racking system, quality of cabling, conduit, DC and AC isolators, and – most importantly – the quality of the actual installation.
The racking system
How your solar power Sunshine Coast system is mounted to your roof is pretty important – the last thing you want is for your solar panels to come crashing down. There are different methods for different types of roofs, with racking systems widely used on pitched tile and iron roofs.
Tilt frames are usually used on flat roofs, to help catch as much sunlight as possible.
Like with solar panels and inverters, not all racking systems are the same. At SunWorks Solar Sunshine Coast, we’re more than happy to discuss racking system options and explain our recommendation for your specific roof and solar power system.
Quality of cabling, conduit and isolators
All DC and AC cabling used in any solar installation within Queensland – whether solid cabling or stranded cabling – must abide by Australian Standards. The size and thickness required is determined by a maximum voltage drop of 5% while the cross-sectional area, current-carrying capacity and type of wire used are important parameters.
Common conducting materials are copper and aluminium. Copper is more ductile and enables higher conductivity of electric current, however aluminium is far cheaper and generally a suitable option for small to medium sized installations.
Australian Standards also require solar power systems to have isolators (switches) on the roof, at the inverter and in the switchboard. This is a critical, yet often overlooked, part of the installation as solar systems have been known to fail in many instances due to a poor-quality isolator being installed.
Incorrect installation or not installing weather shields for the isolators’ protection can also lead to problems.
Quality installation
A quality solar power system installation includes ensuring:
- The racking system meets and exceeds standards;
- The panels are neatly installed on the roof;
- There are not large lengths of framing left on roofs – which often occurs simply because installers are too lazy to cut it to the correct length;
- DC isolators are installed under shields.
All of the above further highlights why using a reputable solar company, such as SunWorks Solar, is in your best interests.
Our industry experience extends back to the 1980s and we don’t use subcontractors, so you are guaranteed that your installation will be undertaken by a Sun Works Solar Sunshine Coast expert who understands the finer details of off grid solar power systems.