Solar Power Solutions Hub
Complete guide to solar installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. From panel selection to inverter fault codes - everything you need to maximize your solar investment.
Solar Installation Guide
Professional-grade installation procedures from site assessment to final commissioning. These guidelines ensure safe, efficient, and code-compliant solar installations.
Site Assessment & Design
Phase 1 of 6
Measure roof/ground area available for solar installation
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceAssess shading: Track sun path from 9AM to 4PM, note obstacles
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceCheck roof structural integrity: Minimum 15 kg/m² load capacity
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceDetermine optimal tilt angle: Latitude ±15° for year-round performance
Calculate daily energy consumption from utility bills (kWh/day)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceSize system: Daily consumption ÷ Peak sun hours (4-5 for Kenya)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceDesign string configuration: Match to inverter MPPT voltage window
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceCreate single-line diagram and layout drawing
💡 Pro Tip: In Kenya, optimal tilt is 0-15° facing North. Each 1% shading can reduce output by 10-30% depending on system design.
Panel Mounting & Installation
Phase 2 of 6
Install mounting rails with proper spacing (check panel dimensions)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceEnsure mounting is waterproof - use flashing for roof penetrations
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceMaintain minimum 100mm clearance under panels for cooling airflow
Install panels with correct polarity orientation (check junction box)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceTorque all mounting hardware to specification (typically 8-12 Nm)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall mid and end clamps per manufacturer requirements
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceLeave access space for maintenance (minimum 600mm walkways)
Bond all frames to common earth conductor
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performance💡 Pro Tip: Panel temperature coefficient: Typically -0.35% to -0.45% per °C above 25°C. Expect 10-15% less output in hot afternoons.
DC Wiring & Connections
Phase 3 of 6
Size DC cables: Max 3% voltage drop from panels to inverter
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceUse solar-rated (PV1-F or H1Z2Z2-K) cables only
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall MC4 connectors properly - crimped, not soldered
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceRoute positive and negative in separate conduits where possible
Install DC isolator within 1m of inverter
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall string fuses if parallel strings >2 (typically 15A per string)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall DC surge protection (SPD) Type 2 at combiner/inverter
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceLabel all cables: String number, polarity, voltage
💡 Pro Tip: Cable sizing: For 100m run at 10A, use minimum 6mm² for <3% drop. Voltage drop = (2 × L × I × ρ) / A
Inverter Installation
Phase 4 of 6
Mount inverter in shaded, ventilated location (avoid direct sun)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceMaintain clearances: 300mm above, 200mm sides, 500mm below
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceVerify DC string voltage within inverter MPPT range
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceConnect DC input with power OFF (isolator open)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceConnect AC output through dedicated circuit breaker
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall AC surge protection if not built into inverter
Configure grid parameters per utility requirements
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceCommission and test all protection functions
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performance💡 Pro Tip: Inverter derating starts at 45°C typically. Install where ambient stays below 40°C for optimal performance.
Battery System Installation
Phase 5 of 6
Install batteries in ventilated room (lead-acid produce hydrogen)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceUse battery rack rated for weight (48V 200Ah ≈ 120kg)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall on non-conductive surface, minimum 100mm off floor
Size battery cables: Max 2% voltage drop at peak discharge
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall battery fuse/breaker at battery positive terminal
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceConfigure charge controller for battery type (AGM, Gel, Lithium)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceSet temperature compensation if applicable (-3mV/°C/cell lead-acid)
Install battery management system for lithium batteries
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performance💡 Pro Tip: Battery sizing: (Daily load × Autonomy days) / (DOD × System voltage). For 10kWh daily load, 2 days autonomy, 50% DOD: 40kWh battery bank.
Earthing & Protection
Phase 6 of 6
Install dedicated earth electrode for solar system
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceEarth resistance should be <10Ω (lower in lightning-prone areas)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceBond all panel frames with minimum 6mm² green/yellow conductor
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall equipotential bonding bar in DC combiner
Connect inverter earth terminal to main earth
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceInstall DC and AC surge protection devices (SPD)
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performanceConsider lightning protection for exposed rooftop systems
Test earth continuity and insulation before energizing
⚠️ Critical - affects system safety or performance💡 Pro Tip: In lightning-prone areas, install Type 1+2 SPD on both DC and AC sides. SPD should be rated for VOC × 1.25.
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