| Line 63: | Line 63: | ||
| Is disconnect on? | | Is disconnect on? | ||
|Yes: Refer to cell 4 | |Yes: Refer to cell 4 | ||
No: Turn on disconnect switch. | No: Turn on disconnect switch by switching it to the up position. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
Revision as of 01:07, 24 April 2014
This is the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) manual for CCAT PV system. Please refer to it and keep it up to date with any O&M changes.
Operation
The solar panels should function independently as long as there is sun. Regular maintenance can keep them performing at peak power levels. Checking the voltage, current and power received by the panels can help ensure they are working. If something seems wrong refer to the troubleshooting section.
Maintenance
This is a schedule for regular maintenance required to ensure the solar panels operate at their maximum potential.
Schedule
This is a general schedule for how often each task should be completed.
- Daily
- Weekly
- Check power input from panels to ensure system is working properly by checking inverter display, or data logging data on CCAT website (coming soon).
- Monthly
- Yearly
- Every Semester
- Clean Panels
Instructions
This is how to maintain.
Troubleshooting
The table below is a basic troubleshooting guide for the solar PV system.
| Image | Problem | Question | To Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Low Power | Is voltage at around 135V? | Yes: Refer to cell 2
No: Refer to cell 3 | |
| 2. Low Current | Is it cloudy out, or is there something covering or shading the panels? | Yes: Do nothing
No: Monitor over the next week. If low current persists contact technician to test system for faulty wiring, etc. | |
| 3. Low Voltage | Is disconnect on? | Yes: Refer to cell 4
No: Turn on disconnect switch by switching it to the up position. | |
| 4. Inverter Error | Refer to Inverter troubleshooting table. |
The table below is a basic troubleshooting guide for the solar PV system inverter.
| Display | Meaning | To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Green power light on | Inverter is connected and supplying energy to grid. | Nothing. PV system is functioning |
| Green power light blinking | Inverter is going through initialization and grid-check. | Wait. If green light becomes solid do nothing. If anything else happens refer to corresponding display. |
| No lights on | Inverter is in nighttime disconnect mode. | If it is nighttime do nothing. If daytime and sunny weather, the disconnect is on, and no wires or parts are visibly disconnected contact technician. |
| Red GFI light on | There is a ground fault | Hold the power button to reset the display. If right light turns off then fault was temporary. If red light still on contact technician. |
| Yellow fault light on | If LCD displays error code refer to section 5.4 in inverter manual (linked to the right) for error code meanings | Inverter Manual
Call technician with error type to assess what to do next. |
Local solar technicians to contact if repair is necessary:
- Scurfield Solar
- Solar Roger
Suggestions for future changes
- A more thorough wiring diagram of the inverter wiring may help future technicians and troubleshooters to understand the system setup.
- It is possible that by the end of the Spring 2014 semester a data logging system will be installed into the inverter, and real time data will be visible on the CCAT website. If this happens then the website would be easier to check for data measurements than the inverter. The website would hopefully show weekly or monthly trends in data for a more thorough analysis of the PV system performance