We have bought a house with heaps of solar panels in the roof. Today we had a power cut but didn't get any power from the panels. Is this normal? It was a summer day but we don't have batteries with the panels, they feed back to the grid.
Thanks
mechnificent,
Jan 6, 3:36am
We need to know what's between the panels and the grid. Model and numbers off the "thing".
tygertung,
Jan 6, 3:52am
I think it is normal, so that you don't back feed the grid and electrocute any electrical workers working on the grid.
mechnificent,
Jan 6, 3:54am
There are several ways it could be set up. We need to know the controller.
mechnificent,
Jan 6, 3:55am
He's saying he wasn't getting any power in his house.
johnny231,
Jan 6, 7:31am
Thanks. There is a unit that I can plug in and it gives me the days energy stats and there's a box on the wall in the garage. What information do I need to give you?
mechnificent,
Jan 6, 8:03am
If there's a name and model on those two things that will probably help. Then we can hopefully figure what should be possible.
It's possible the system's only meant to feed back into the grid and not be a supply for the house but I think that's not common. It could also only power the hot water to save you on power, then feed the extra back into the supply. Or it could run the water heater and supply the house as a first option and only use the mains at night or when there's no sun.
None of that sound's familiar by any chance ?
Then give us the name and numbers off both thingys and I'll google them and see if I can figure it.
johotech,
Jan 6, 8:19am
Nearly all systems are only configured to work when the grid power is connected. So they supplement the power being used by your house, and feed any additional power back into the grid. To be able to work as a backup system and power your house when there is a power cut, is way more complicated and way more expensive (twice as expensive or more wouldn't be unusual). Only people with an interest in being "off grid" would want to install that type of system.
mechnificent,
Jan 6, 8:29am
Oh yeah. No batteries so could be. People I know all have batteries too, so different systems no doubt.
pheonix,
Jan 6, 8:54am
Also there may be a mechanical chengeover switch that will allow the system to supply the house and isolate the mains input. Or it could have shut down due to overloading from hotwater, oven etc. Really all up to how it has been installed and its specs.
johnny231,
Jan 6, 9:49pm
Thanks guys. I'll see what I can find out and let you know.
reelingmaze,
Jan 7, 9:44pm
It would pay to get a battery. We have a 4.5 watt battery which produces 4 kw of usable power, last us until the wee hours or through the night if the teen is not home. We are getting another batter installed next month. The Battery is programmed to kick in during a power cut however it can only supply to designated area's that we have nominated. The inverter which you will have on your wall is run by power and will shut down in a power cut. It is only the battery that will give you supply.
mechnificent,
Jan 7, 9:51pm
I've been saying for years that the govt should be sponsoring people into solar setups. A solar panel that will nearly supply your needs in winter will have heaps more than you need in summer. Everyone could be self sufficient in summer, or even put some back into the grid, then draw what they need in winter. It'd give the storage lakes a chance to fill.
reelingmaze,
Jan 7, 10:16pm
The government won't do that as they will miss out on money. We have 12 panels on our roof and a 4.5kw battery. We are sending more back to the grid than what we are using and that is after our battery is full. We are putting in another 4.5kw battery next week getting ready for winter.
Instead of giving out winter energy payments they should offer subsidised solar power to landlords. Tenants will save more than $20 per week and can be in more control over their power usage.
mechnificent,
Jan 7, 10:47pm
And not get power cuts.
harm_less,
Jan 7, 11:00pm
Legally a grid tied PV installation must be configured to essentially disconnect from the mains, including feeding your house, in the case of a power outage.
The exception is if the installation is 'islanded' which requires a battery storage component such a Tesla Powerwall which includes a 'dead man's switch' which prevents the PV generation feeding back into the dead transmission lines that power company repairmen may well be working on in such a situation. Also if the PV's generation was less than the house's demand at the time it would potentially cause damage to appliances.
harm_less,
Jan 7, 11:04pm
Have you considered a 'power diverter' component which feeds excess generation into your HWC thereby storing the excess electricity as heat? Units such as the Paladin can result in you being able to use/store ~90% of your generation, a lot cheaper than a battery too. http://www.paladin.nz/
Edit: Also worth remembering that EVs have batteries of 24kWh at the least. If you are a position to charge an EV during daylight hours they are another potential storage method for excess generation.
gabbysnana,
Jan 8, 8:46am
Have considered talking to the vendors and get them to explain what was sold to you. Was the solar array part of your chattels? Did you get a building report, did the inspection check the system was working. If it was a chattel it had to be in good working order. Perhaps you contact some installers for them to get you an opinion on what you have, and perhaps some user manuals. The system has to have consent so details about it should be held at council.
harrislucinda,
Jan 8, 8:58pm
we have 24 panels and when the power goes off in the house we dont get power from the panels as have no batteries to store so what is being made when that happens it goes back to the grid to come off you next power bill Have you got a battery that stores what power is being made ?
tegretol,
Jan 8, 9:39pm
Brilliant idea!
The revenue stream required to maintain the countries distribution systems would be reduced and thus those that were not 'solarised' would need to step up and pay more.
The profit levels for the retailers would fall and so their unit rates would rise to compensate.
Brilliant idea [not] !
tegretol,
Jan 8, 9:39pm
Consent for what?
harm_less,
Jan 9, 12:55am
Just code of compliance is required for the electrical installation, unless it's large enough to exceed building permit threshold.
The amount of misinformation in this thread is appalling.
perfectimages,
Jan 9, 1:16am
Maybe for the alteration of a dwelling? As I had to get when I installed my solar system.
'Building work The following building work is authorised by this building consent:'
"Dwelling alteration ‐ installation of solar hot water heating system"
This building consent is issued under section 51 of the Building Act 2004. This building consent does not relieve the owner of the building (or proposed building) of any duty or any responsibility under any other Act relating to or affecting the building (or proposed building). This building consent also does not permit the construction, alteration, demolition, or removal of the building (or proposed building) if that construction, alteration, demolition, or removal would be in breach of any other Act."
perfectimages,
Jan 9, 1:34am
Perhaps you should read the last line of your post again
reelingmaze,
Jan 9, 1:46am
We had our Solar System with battery installed by a professional Company Future Energy. The only compliance we needed was from the Electrical side other than that there was no other compliance needed.
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