HOMEOWNER ADVICE
Solar PV Troubleshooting
Welcome to our Solar PV Troubleshooting page. This page provides guidance on registering your system and understanding how your solar PV system works. Whether you're new to solar energy or need troubleshooting tips, we're here to help.
What is Solar PV and How Does it Work?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology allows us to harness the power of sunlight and convert it into electricity. Here's how it works:
1. Harnessing the Sun's Energy
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity through a process called photovoltaics (PV). These panels contain photovoltaic cells made of semi-conductive material, such as silicon, which absorbs sunlight and turns it into direct current (DC) electricity. When sunlight hits the cells, it creates an electric field, generating electricity. The more intense the light, the more electricity is produced.
2. Converting Electricity
An inverter is used to convert the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is connected to your consumer unit (also known as a fuse board) so that the electricity can be used in your home.
3. Using the Electricity
The electricity from the solar panels is fed through a meter and then directed into your home’s consumer unit. The meter will measure all the electricity generated by the solar PV system.
4.
Powering Your Home
Your system will automatically use the free electricity you’ve generated first, then switch back to the grid as needed.
5.
Contributing to the National Grid
On particularly sunny days, your PV system might generate more electricity than you consume, and any excess electricity you generate can be sent back to the grid to power other homes.
Solar PV Guidance & Troubleshooting
General Maintenance
What maintenance do solar PV systems require?
While solar panels need little maintenance, regular service checks are important to keep them in optimal condition, so you get the best out of your solar PV system throughout its operational lifespan.
You can download our recommended service schedule here.
Do solar panels need cleaning?
In the UK, solar panels are designed to self-clean in the rain, so heavy-duty cleaning is usually not necessary. However, if the panels are located in areas with a high build-up of dirt, leaves, bird droppings or salt water (such as near the coast), regular cleaning may be required, depending on the amount of soiling.
It's important to be cautious when working at heights, so we recommend hiring a professional for cleaning – many window cleaners offer this service. Avoid using abrasive chemicals; warm soapy water is sufficient for cleaning.
How do I switch off my Solar PV system?
You can turn off the PV system at either the isolator next to the consumer unit or the isolator in the loft. Both will disconnect the inverter from the mains. However, the isolator next to the consumer unit is more easily accessible.
If the AC isolator in the loft is switched off, the DC isolator does not need to be turned off, unless you are working on or replacing the inverter or panels. The DC isolator only needs to be switched off if the inverter or panels are being worked on or replaced. Only qualified electricians should do this.
Do you need to turn off the PV system if you are working on another circuit in the house, such as changing a socket?
When working on the PV system, the same safety precautions should be taken as when working with mains electricity. If work is needed on your consumer unit, such as replacing it or adding a new circuit, the PV system needs to be switched off. However, if work is needed on a specific circuit, then only that circuit needs to be switched off in the consumer board to prevent any live electricity.
What happens in a power cut?
During a power cut, your inverter will detect the outage and shut down immediately. This is a necessary safety function to protect people working on the main electrical network. As a result, you won't be able to use solar-generated electricity. When the power comes back on, your system will start working again automatically if there's still enough daylight. Remember that your inverter can take up to 3 minutes to reconnect to the Grid.
If all the switches and isolators are on and you’re still not getting any power from your solar PV system please email customercare@clarksonevans.co.uk with your details and photographs of your generation meter and inverter. Our Customer Care Team will assist you with getting your system back online as quickly as possible, arranging for an engineer to visit and inspect your system if necessary.
In Emergencies
In the case of emergencies, you can stop power generation and disconnect your solar PV system from the electrical supply by carrying out the following steps:
- Turn the AC isolator marked EMERGENCY SWITCH to the OFF or the O position. This will turn off the AC connection to the inverter.
- The inverter will detect the loss of the AC and switch its DC inputs to open circuit mode.
- Turn the DC isolator (located either next to or within the inverter) to the OFF or O position.
Please note that there will be no direct electrical current flowing through the cables, however DC voltages will still be present during daylight.
Troubleshooting
How do I know if my system is working?
We install a generation meter as part of your solar PV system. This will show you how much energy your system is generating. To check if your solar PV system is working, monitor the generation meter near your consumer unit. The number displayed indicates the total amount of generated power since installation, so you should see the reading gradually increase over time.
Keep track of the readings at regular intervals and compare them to the Annual Estimated Generation figure on your MCS Certificate. Remember that the system will perform better in summer than in winter, so it's wise to check your meter readings in the spring for any issues.
How can I stop my power from continually tripping out?
If your PV system appears to be causing household electrics to trip then you should shut it off for 7 days. Whilst switched off please monitor your RCD (residual-current device). If the RCD does not trip whilst the PV system is off, our Customer Care Team would investigate. Please report your concern to customercare@clarksonevans.co.uk, sending us a photo of your consumer board showing the device that is tripping.
Fault Finding
Here are some straightforward steps for troubleshooting a PV system. It is helpful to go through these checks before contacting us:
- Start by turning off all the switches, waiting for 30 seconds, and then turning them back on. Keep in mind that your inverter will take 3 minutes to start up before it begins generating power.
- Check your inverter screen for any error messages. If there is one, take a photo of it to assist with fault diagnosis. The message may disappear after some time.
- If the inverter screen is blank, consider whether it is dark outside. Most inverters won’t activate unless your solar panels are generating. If there is sufficient light outside for the panels to generate and the inverter screen is still not showing anything, then there may be no grid supply to the inverter.
- Ensure that all MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) and RCDs (Residual Current Detectors) are in the ON position (up). RCDs may trip to a mid-position and may need to be pushed all the way down before they can be pushed into the up position and stay there.
- Check the Generation Meter. If there’s a solid red LED, then there is grid power to the meter, but nothing is being generated. If the meter’s red LED is blinking, then the system is generating. The rate of the blink is determined by the power the panels are generating. If the screen of the meter is blank and the Red LED is never blinking, then it’s likely there is no grid power to the meter.
- Make sure to check your AC and DC isolators. These isolators can be found near your inverter, labeled as "PV Array DC Isolator" and "PV Array AC Isolator". There may also be another isolator near your consumer unit if this is in a different room to your inverter. If all the switches and isolators are turned on but you're still not getting any output from your solar PV, please contact us.
How to Register for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) was introduced by the government to replace the Feed-in Tariff. It came into effect in January 2020 and allows people who generate solar electricity to be paid for any excess electricity they export to the grid.
How do I apply for the Smart Export Guarantee?
To apply for the SEG, homeowners are required to provide a copy of their MCS Certificate and proof of property ownership. Additionally, they may be asked for proof of grid connection or a G98 Commissioning Certificate. Your developer should provide you with these in your handover pack. If you haven't received these, please contact your developer. To access SEG tariffs, homeowners need to request their energy supplier to install a smart meter to monitor their energy usage.
What Happens Next?
When your PV system is commissioned, the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is notified that your system is connected. If you decide to apply for the SEG, your energy provider should contact the DNO to request an export MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number). This number helps identify the electricity supply from your meter so your SEG provider knows how much energy you are exporting.
Warranties & Guarantees
What warranties and guarantees come with my solar panels?
Your solar PV system is covered by a two-year parts and labour warranty, as well as a warranty from the housing developer. Additionally, the solar panels will be backed by a manufacturer's performance guarantee.
After purchasing your property, the developer will provide you with the MCS Certificate for your solar PV installation, a user manual, and details of the system installed as part of your handover pack.
What is MCS and why does it matter to me?
MCS is an independent government standards organisation. They create and maintain standards that allow for the certification of products, installers, and their installations.
MCS-certified installers, such as Clarkson Evans, have undergone a rigorous vetting process to demonstrate that they adhere to the standards. An MCS certificate guarantees that the installation has met the highest standards using certified products and installers.
Moving House
Selling a house with a Solar PV system
When selling a house with a solar PV system, it's important to note that the solar panels are owned by you and are considered part of the 'fixtures and fittings' of your property. Potential buyers should see the solar panels as a positive feature, as they contribute to lower energy bills compared to a house without solar. If you are registered for the Feed-in Tariff scheme, you will lose the benefits from it when selling the property. However, the new owner of your property could potentially still receive these payments, so keep the user manual and MCS certificate as these may be required for the new owners.
I recently purchased a house with a Solar PV system installed by Clarkson Evans.
What should I do next?
To ensure that you are eligible for any remaining warranty on the solar PV system, you will need to provide proof of ownership of the property from the time of purchase. Additionally, you should inform your energy provider that you have solar panels on your property. If the previous owner was registered for the Feed-in Tariff, you may be able to receive future payments by filling out the appropriate Change of Ownership forms provided by your energy provider.
FAQs
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Do solar panels need direct sunlight to work?
Solar panels work in most daylight conditions, but they generate more electricity in direct sunshine.
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How do I know when I am using power generated from the panels?
When there is a demand for electricity in your home, solar electricity is used first. If there isn't enough solar electricity, additional power is drawn from the grid. Your electricity meter will continue to record the electricity you buy, but at a slower rate when your panels are generating electricity.
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What happens to solar electricity not used in the house?
Any unused solar electricity will feed back to the grid. With a smart meter, you can sign up for a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff to get paid for exported solar electricity.
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Will solar panels power my whole house?
Generally, a PV system won't produce enough to meet all your electricity requirements, especially at night. However, it will help lower your electricity bills by reducing your reliance on the grid. If you purchase battery storage for your PV system, the electricity can be stored and used when needed.
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Will solar panels save me money?
Yes, you can save money on your electricity bill. The amount depends on utility rates, system size, and how effectively you use the electricity while it’s being generated.
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What savings can I expect from my installed solar panels?
An average domestic solar PV system (3-4 kWp) can generate around 2,500 kWh per year. For reference, a 10-kW shower uses approximately 1 kWh of energy in six minutes.
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What should I do if my electricity bills seem higher than normal?
First, check if you are on the most economical tariff with your energy supplier. You can also ask them to install a smart meter for monitoring your electricity usage. The power generated by your PV panels is not shown on electricity bills.
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Do I have to send the generation meter readings to anyone?
If you register for the Smart Export Guarantee, you don't need to send the generation meter readings. Your utility supplier can take readings remotely with a smart meter.
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How is the electricity meter adjusted to take into account my generated power from the solar panels?
If you have a smart meter, it will show how much electricity you are using from the grid. The electricity meter will only display the amount consumed from the grid, which is what you are charged for.
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Why are my solar panels positioned where they are?
The positioning and layout of the panels are designed to meet specific criteria, such as kWp or kWh targets, aesthetic/planning requirements, and roofscape availability. If you have any questions about the PV layout on your property, contact the developer's technical department for details.
