Solar Power
What We Do
Optimise Power offer installation and maintenance for a wide range of solar power products. We focus heavily on delivering exceptional customer service and customer engagement, providing you with piece of mind and confidence that your products are fit for purpose and in optimum condition.
A solar panel (or module) is designed to convert sunlight into electricity. They all share similar properties but are available in different sizes, colours, with different types of cells and produced by different manufacturers. Selecting a module for a residential or commercial solar system requires an understanding of the different characteristics of each type of panel and the application. Power classes can increase quickly because of advancements in technology and manufacturing processes. Therefore, when specifying a module, it is wise to select any one of the Silicon Module Super League (SMSL) manufacturers, and use a general power-class rather than a particular output.
A solar PV inverter is required on any PV system where AC power needs to be utilised. This is because it is the function of the Inverter to convert DC power generated by the solar into useable AC power that can feed the electrical loads within the property.
In terms of inverter sizes and sizing, essentially all properties have an electrical supply. Typically, in the UK, for domestic properties this will be a single-phase connection and for commercial properties this will be a three-phase connection. This is not the case with every single site but is a good rule of thumb. The electrical supply will influence the choice of inverter available, with most manufacturers offering both single and three-phase solutions.
Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme (ALoMCP)
The Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme is taking place across Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) which is being run by both the National Grid and the DNO's.
The reason for this is to update the LOM (Loss Of Mains) protection for existing Renewable Energy Generators. One of the main benefits of this is to reduce the amount of tripping by relaxing the RoCoF limits (Rate of Change of Frequency).
So, this programme is designed to get all existing sites updated and a Grant scheme is being rolled out on a first come first served basis. This will save you up to £4000 which, if you miss out on the funding, you will need to do at a later date as this is a compulsary change being introduced.
String Inverters
String inverters are the most common solution found in the market today. They tend to be reliable yet cheap and are known as string inverters because they allow for the connection of ‘string(s)’ of solar panels back to the unit. When a group of panels are connected in a DC circuit, we call this a string. That string is then brought back and connected to an Inverters DC input where it feeds the device DC for conversion.
