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2 About Solar Electric Technology Our philosophy Kaitiaki O Te Whenua - Taking care of the land for the future of our children. We are passionate about delivering an environmentally sustainable future through energy efficiency. With an ever-increasing need to reduce the effects we are having on the planet, our carbon footprint and the growing shortage of mains grid electricity supply, we know renewable energy is the way forward for our future. Solar Electric Technology sources cutting edge products from within New Zealand and around the world in order to provide value for money and quality solutions for our customers. We offer practical advice and complete package solutions for achieving electrical energy efficiency in your home or business. The Directors Solar Electric Technology Ltd was formed in 2009 by Lance Double and Frank Witowski. Lance Double s prior experience and training as an Extra Low Voltage Electrical Technician, has provided him with extensive knowledge of electrical systems such as used within sustainable generation. After designing his own solar thermal collector in 2004, (German Engineer) Frank Witowski has now manufactured and installed over a thousand solar thermal collectors, New Zealand wide. Experience Together Frank and Lance have over 20 years experience in the sustainable energy sector, designing, project managing and installing well over 1,000 solar water, Photovoltaic (Solar Electric), hydro and wind generation systems. When you deal with Solar Electric, you deal with technical experts, who can offer you the best advice and service. Even our sales team are trained installers. Support & Service We have trained installers in most main centres throughout New Zealand and so when you contact us you will be speaking with a trained sustainable energy expert.
3 Contents About us... 2 Contents... 3 How do grid tie PV systems work?... 4 Grid tie PV system diagram... 5 The benefits of solar... 6 Solar PV modules... 7 Types of inverters... 9 Inverters we use and recommend... 10 Mounting frames... 13 The process... 15 Examples of our work... 16 References... 22 Contact us... 24
4 How do Grid Tie PV (Photovoltaic) systems work? Photovoltaic (PV) systems 1. Photovoltaic solar panels mounted on your roof, or on a ground mounted frame, use the sun s solar radiation to generate DC (Direct Current) electricity. 2. The electricity travels to a grid tie inverter, usually located near to the switchboard which converts the DC electricity into 230 volts AC (Alternating Current) as used in your home. 3. The energy generated can be used within the home or business first and any excess electricity is fed into the national grid. If there is little or no solar energy available because of bad weather or at night, energy is sourced from the national grid. A two way (Import/Export) meter is installed in place of your existing meter, to measure the energy you feed in and take from the national grid. Energy Retailers There are currently two main energy retailers who offer good rates for the excess energy fed into the national electricity grid. Meridian Energy 25 cents per kwh/unit fed into the grid, based on 5kWh per day. After 5kWh per day the rate drops to 10 cents per kwh. Recommended for very small systems i.e. 1.5 2kWp. Contact Energy 17.3 cents per kwh/unit fed into the grid. You need to bill Contact for the energy using their standard email template. Recommended for systems over 2kWp.
Grid Tie PV system diagram 5
6 The benefits of solar Save money Each year power prices increase at a rate of around 7.5% on average. For many years solar energy has been out of reach for many people due to the high cost, however over the last few years the price of solar has dropped by around 70%. Now solar has become an economically viable option in New Zealand. By going solar, homeowners can lock in lower rates for their solar energy. While the cost of electricity increases with time, the cost of solar power remains low and constant a locked in energy price over the life of the solar equipment, because the fuel (sunshine) is free. Increased property value The electricity savings from solar panels translate directly into an increased home resale value. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development states that home values raise an average of $20 for every $1 reduction in annual electricity bills. This means that if you generate $1,000 of electricity per year, you can increase your home value by $20,000. The value of the home solar system also increases over time. As electricity prices continue to rise, a homeowner s energy savings will also increase. Environmental benefits A portion of the energy generated in New Zealand comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, which in turn creates greenhouses gases, air pollution and damage to our landscapes from mining. Solar energy is an environmentally friendly form of energy generation, and is not a limited resource like fossil fuels. In addition, a large amount of energy is lost in transmission when sending energy around New Zealand s energy network. Solar on homes and business (local generation) reduces these losses.
7 Solar (PV) modules ReneSola Founded in 2005, ReneSola is a leading brand and technology provider of solar PV products. Leveraging its proprietary technologies, economies of scale and technical expertise, ReneSola uses in-house virgin polysilicon and a vertically integrated business model to provide customers with high quality, competitive products. ReneSola solar modules have scored top PVUSA Test Condition ratings, with high annual kilowatt-hour output, according to the California Energy Commission. ReneSola solar PV modules can be found in projects ranging in size from a few kilowatts to multi-megawatts in markets around the world, including the United States, Germany, Italy, Belgium, China, Greece, Spain and Australia.
8 Solar (PV) modules Efficiency The new, breakthrough, Virtus II solar module is an ingenious combination of the high quality and efficiency of Monocrystalline modules, with the lower cost of Multicrystalline modules. ReneSola s innovative ingot growth technology improves the uniformity of the grain size and preferred orientation, resulting in higher minor-carrier lifetime and lower dislocation density. The outcome is significantly increased cell efficiency. The company s innovative, controlled, DDS production process for the Virtus A ++ wafers produces far fewer defects than conventional multicrystalline silicon wafers. This enables Virtus II solar modules to achieve a 4% higher power output, yet maintain the same LID and CTM loss. A Tier 1 status manufacturer ReneSola is proud to announce its Tier 1 status as a solar module manufacturer. Tier 1 manufacturers are those which have provided products to at least three different projects in the past 2 years which have all been financed non-recourse by three different banks, essentially requiring that the manufacturer be bankable. Tier 1 includes the top 2% of solar PV manufacturers, all of which invest heavily in research and development and have been manufacturing panels for at least 5 years. In addition, these suppliers control each stage of the manufacturing process. Tier 1 manufacturers produce some of the highest efficiency solar panels. This is due to their use of the best grade of silicon in production, which ensures the longevity of the panels themselves. Insurance Backed Warranty In addition to the comprehensive 25 year linear power warranty terms, ReneSola has purchased product warranty insurance to back stop the product warranty. This insurance applies to the Limited Warranty for PV Modules and covers Product Defect and Peak Power Limited Warranties. This insurance program is facilitated through PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services and insured by the following two reputable insurance companies: International Insurance Company of Hannover Ltd (A.M. Best Credit Rating: A XV) www.inter hannover.com RSUI Indemnity Company (A.M. Best Credit Rating: A XII) www.rsui.com ReneSola customers, whose panels have been registered by us, will enjoy a global, irrevocable and immediate insurance backed warranty which provides third party rights to the insurance in case of insolvency or bankruptcy.
9 Types of inverters Solar Electric Technology offer a full range of grid tie inverters no matter what your energy or design requirements may be. We have chosen 3 main brands of inverters based on their operating abilities, quality, performance, reliability, NZ standards and support from the manufacturer. Our recommendation of inverter for your system will be based on your energy and design requirements, while taking into account the economic benefits and return on investment. String Inverters A string inverter converts DC energy from the solar panels to AC power and is designed for high voltage DC inputs, where the solar array is wired in series, rather than in parallel. String inverters have a proven trajectory. Because of their established reliability, accessibility and high efficiency, they remain well-suited for most residential and small commercial systems. Advantages: Generally lower cost Greater efficiency with no shading and under standard conditions More robust Can be installed into better operating location (out of the sun, heat, dust & wet) 3 phase variations available Better supported by trusted manufacturers Less potential risk of failure Micro Inverters A micro inverter consists of a small box located on the back of or situated very close to a solar panel. Its role is to convert the DC electricity produced by a single solar panel into AC electricity. Micro inverters have some clear advantages when you do not have a large roof facing in an optimal direction or if there are shading issues from surrounding objects. If this is the case then it may be worth spending extra money on micro inverters to reduce the effects on the performance of the solar system. Advantages: Allows for increased design flexibility as modules can be oriented in different directions Increased yield from sites that suffer from shading, as one shadowed module doesn t drag down a whole string Panel level monitoring
10 Inverter brands we use and recommend Enasolar Enasolar manufacture a range of cool solar inverters for the global market. Their product range includes 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 3.8kW and 4.0 & 5.0kW dual MPPT grid tied, string solar inverters. Enasolar are proudly New Zealand owned and operated with all of their inverters designed, developed and manufactured in Christchurch. Features: Built-in Wi-Fi as standard for web based PV system monitoring and reporting Integrated lockable DC and AC isolating switches Front mounted heat sink allows more airflow, easy care and cleaning Wide operating voltage range Light weight 5 year warranty included as standard A more efficient design means longer life and less call outs.
11 Inverter brands we use and recommend SMA SMA is a global leader in the development, production and sales of PV inverters. SMA has an extensive range of products, which offers the right inverters for all module types and plant sizes; for small residential systems as well as large scale plants, grid-connected installations as well as stand-alone and backup systems all over the world. SMA has received numerous awards for its product solutions and exceptional corporate culture. In 2011 and 2012, the company achieved first place in the German Great Place to Work competition in the category for companies with over 5,000 employees. Features: SMA have been manufacturing inverters for over 30 years, longer than any other company in the world Extensive range - Single and three phase string inverters, central inverters, micro inverters, back up and off grid inverters 5 year standard warranty German made Web monitoring available.
12 Inverter brands we use and recommend ReneSola Developed by ReneSola, Micro Replus smart inverters are highly reliable micro inverters ideal for rooftop and ground mount PV systems, particularly in projects with low light or shading issues. Under these conditions ReneSola s Micro RePlus micro inverters allow you to harness the maximum power from your PV modules, resulting in greater yields and a better ROI. Features: 25 year standard warranty Allows for increased design flexibility, modules can be oriented in different directions Increased yield from sites that suffer from shading, as one shadowed module doesn t drag down a whole string Panel level monitoring.
13 Mounting frames We offer high quality, light weight and durable solar module framing for all roof types as well as ground mounting options. All of our frames have been certified by registered New Zealand engineers for durability. The certification (Producers Statement) certifies the framing for wind zones up to 57m/s anywhere in New Zealand and to clause B1 of the NZ building code. Unlike many others, Solar Electric technology frames are generally fixed to the roof using hanger bolts (pictured below), this means that the weight of the solar system is transferred to the timber structure below the roof, not onto the roof cladding.
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15 The process Step 1: Consultation Initially we will contact you and discuss your requirements, the suitability of your roof for solar and offer some initial suggestions and advise. We can also offer some indicative costs so you are aware what options are available and that suit your budget. During the consultation process we may request to carry out a site visit. This is not always necessary however many people benefit from it as you can sit with a trained solar technician and discuss your options in greater detail. Step 2: Design Many homes are straightforward and a standard package will be suitable to install. In other cases a customised design and modelling of the expected system performance is required. This might be because the roof does not have an optimal orientation or inclination, there is shading from surrounding objects or there are multiple roofs facing various directions. Either way, our solar technicians can optimise a design for your situation. Step 3: Quotation A quote or quotes are then provided along with comprehensive information on the products, service and warranty we provide. Once you have read through the quote you may have questions or you may like a price for an alternative size system or variation to the design and we are more than happy to provide this for you. Step 4: Acceptance If you are happy with the quotation and would like to proceed with the installation of a solar system, we will require the quotation to be signed and returned along with the additional details required to complete a Network Application. The Network Application is required so that the electrical network company knows of the existence of the installation and can ensure systems are installed to the appropriate standard. A deposit will also be required at this stage. Step 5: Installation As soon as we have approval from the Network Company we can arrange for the installation of your system. The installation is generally complete in a day and commissioned. At this point the system is fully operational, however your Energy Retailer will still need to come and fit the new metering required to measure the energy which is exported to the grid. Step 6: Monitoring During the commissioning of your system we will set up your monitoring so at any stage you can check the front screen of your inverter or login from your computer and see how your system is performing.
16 Examples of our work Over 1000 successful installs and counting! The following pages illustrate some examples of the different types of solar systems we have installed.
3.5kWp flat roof mounted system 17
18 10kWp flat roof mounted system
4kWp tilt roof mounted system 19
20 4.5kWp ground mounted system
An off grid installation 21
22 10 kwp ground mounted system
2kWp tilt roof mounted system 23
24 References Colin Davis & Faridah Tup We used Solar Electric Technology to provide solar panels for our new house and we have been very satisfied with the result. We found them very competent in their work and easy to deal with. They did a thorough initial investigation of our existing power uses and needs and were helpful in advising us how we could save power in our routine usage. Especially, they identified a fault in our present solar water setting and assisted in rectifying this. They then advised us on the optimum solar system we could take on and gave us a variety of options of different prices and power capacities. The installation went smoothly, except when held up by strong winds, and hardly disturbed the running of the household. Since then, Solar Electric Technology has supported our monitoring of the new power system and has assisted us in fully understanding our new power bills. We would certainly recommend them to any other potential customers. Iain and Beth Campbell In 2011, we began the preparations for building a new home in Somerset Terrace, Stoke. One of our requirements was to install a photovoltaic system of sufficient capacity to generate the bulk of our electricity requirements. The building project was co-ordinated by Building, Quotation and Design (BQD) who obtained competitive quotes for all aspects of the building project. They recommended Solar Electric Technology Ltd as the supplier of the photo voltaic system. We are very happy with the outcome of this venture and with Solar Electric Technology Ltd, the suppliers, as our system is working well and in 2012 provided nearly all of our electricity usage. Towards the end of 2012, we decided to increase the capacity of our system by a adding some additional solar panels and Solar Electric Technology Ltd carried out this work. Thanks to Solar Electric Technology Ltd, we have a significant credit with our power company and a return on our capital investment of over 6%.
25 G M Waring In 2011 Lance Double personally installed our system (a 10 panel - battery - inverter - back-up generator assembly). On his advice we added extra 180-watt panels that have proven to be a wise move. There were some initial issues with back-up generator sequencing but Mr Double spent considerable time and effort rectifying the program and it has worked without fault since. We have found Mr Double to be open to discussion and willing to address our concerns in a timely manner. In an industry that has more than its share of untrained opportunists we believe Mr Double and his company have proven to be a technically competent and reliable service. The fact that he remained in the market and has grown his business confirms our original confidence in his expertise. With the caveat that one must always check the options, we have no hesitation in recommending Mr Double to anyone considering going solar. We continue to utilise his services to maintain our installation. We may be contacted by phone if required (Ph 03 544 2397). YHI New Zealand Ltd YHI (New Zealand) Ltd is a National wholesaler of Tyres, Wheels and Battery s with warehouses in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. The Christchurch branch consumes about 2,500 KWh of power per month and it was decided that, as an environmentally and financially conscientious company, a Solar Energy system should be installed. After successfully tendering for the installation, Solar Electric Technology Ltd was commissioned to install a 10KWp Grid Solar System with a 3 phase German made SMA Inverter at warehouse at 22 Clarence Street South, Addington, Christchurch. Along with the successful quote, Solar Electric Technology gave friendly and professional advice regarding recommended specifications, materials and installation time lines. Frank and Lance arrived early, completed the installation of the panels and inverter, cleaned up and had the system online well within the estimated time line of 1.5 days. Frank and Lance also managed the entire network application with our power supplier; all I had to do was supply the relevant details. YHI Christchurch now has an online, fully operating, money saving, environmentally friendly Solar Energy System. We are so impressed with the return on investment we are intending to install Solar Energy Systems at other key YHI warehouses throughout New Zealand. I highly recommend Solar Electric Technology should you be considering installing a Solar Energy System in your home or business. I wish Frank and Lance every success in the future. Paul Hauschild - South Island Manager
26 Contact us Solar Electric Technology Ltd Phone 0800 765 270 Postal 5 Garin Grove, Richmond Nelson New Zealand 7020 Web www.solarelectricnz.co.nz Frank Witowski Managing Director Mob 027 544 3213 frank@solarelectricnz.co.nz Lance Double Technical Director Mob 027 544 3025 lance@solarelectricnz.co.nz Paul Clucas Canterbury Development Manager Mob 022 065 2281 paul@solarelectricnz.co.nz
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