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Solar PV Inverter Issues

June 20, 2016 @ 21:05 By Gavin Webber 9 Comments

We’ve been facing some solar PV inverter issues with our solar PV installation lately.

It’s Broken!

It looks like the inverter (Fronius IG-30) has given up the ghost after 9½ years of loyal and reliable service to the Webber family.  It has provided us with many megawatts of clean energy for our pursuits.  As it stands today, there is no output from our system and it’s been that way since last Wednesday.

The inverter is the heart of any PV system.  It converts the Direct Current generated by the solar panels and converts it to Alternating Current in the form of 240 volts @ 50Hz to match the electricity grid.  Without it, the solar panels are as much use as a single chopstick.

I’ve sent off the fault to my system installer, Energy Matters, now owned by Sun Edison, to see what they can do about it.  Hopefully they can send out a specialist electrician to have a look and diagnose the issue.  If you want to know how the system has performed up until now, here is the link to a case study they did on our system a year or two ago.

Solar PV Inverter issues

16 x 175 watt Solar Panels. Currently useless!

However, I don’t hold up much hope.  From what I’ve read online, it is a major fault that requires replacement of the entire inverter, especially one as old as mine.  I also believe that it may be out of warranty so may be out-of-pocket for a considerable sum.

My Dilemma

So now I am faced with a dilemma.  Do I, a) Save up and buy a replacement inverter of the same type (3 kW grid tied), or b) investigate the cost of a hybrid system that incorporates a battery backup as well as export to the grid.

Why would I consider a battery option I hear you ask?

Well, the legislation here in Victoria that provides me with a generous 66 cent Feed-in Tariff.  It is due to expire in about 5 years, so at that time I will lose the offset against my power bill.

That means I should store some, or in time most, of the excess then export the remainder.

Solar talk

View from our gate

I figure that our evening energy usage will then be covered with stored electricity from the batteries.  Once the batteries are charged during the day, the excess will be just icing on the cake for the remaining years that the legislation remains in effect.  Once the legislation expires, I can bolt on more battery storage and keep it all, essentially being free of the grid.  Sounds like a better outcome.

Research Required

I do have some research to do before I make a decision.  If you know of a suitable inverter/storage solution, then let me know via comment and I will follow it up.  I don’t have a very big budget and if the hybrid system is too expensive, I will just have to replace the inverter.  Hopefully with one that I can bolt on storage at a later time.

Anyway, I’ll keep you abreast of the solar PV inverter issues in the spirit of knowledge sharing.  As the system was installed in September 2007, I consider us as early adopters.  I would expect that many other solar PV system owners will soon be faced with a similar decision as the one I do.

So, on with the research and may it be sunny!

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Filed Under: Energy Matter, renewable energy, Solar Power

TGoG 128 – Major Events Around the Yard

October 8, 2015 @ 21:51 By Gavin Webber Leave a Comment

Listen to the Episode Below (00:17:56)
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Some major events around the place this week so this week’s episode is a bit of a round-up.

We had to remove the greenhouse due to catastrophic failure of the polycarbonate sheeting.  Its being replaced with a storage shed for soap making supplies for Little Green Workshops.  I will make some trellis against the new shed to espalier a couple of dwarf fruit trees, so all is not lost.

PA080001-001

We just past 30 megawatt hours of electricity generated by our 2.8kw solar PV system!

Solar hot water has been free this month and will be until late March

Our garden got scorched from 4 days over 30°C.  In fact we had a day of 37°C which turned all our apple blossom brown.  I think we may lose the entire crop.

Next Wednesday we join get the National Broadband Network hooked up to the house and will be able to provide more video content.  Currently on our ADSL2+ connection, it takes me 5 hours to upload a 20 minute YouTube video.  Think of all the extra time I will have to produce more video content instead of waiting for uploads!

Oh, and lastly, check out the “My Videos” menu item on the blog.  You will find a gallery of selected sustainable living videos that I’ve uploaded over the years, including my four national television appearances!


If you have a question that you would like either Kim or I to answer on the podcast, leave us a voicemail via the SpeakPipe widget below.  Just remember to play the recording back to yourself before sending it to ensure that we will be able to hear your question.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

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Filed Under: climate change, Gardening, Podcast, solar hot water, Solar Power, TGOG Podcast

TGoG 123 – Solar Talk with Emma Sutcliffe

August 19, 2015 @ 16:30 By Gavin Webber Leave a Comment

Listen to the Episode Below (00:21:16)
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Recently, I was interviewed by Emma Sutcliffe about my small solar power system that I built myself.  You can read about it in this post titled To Grid or Go Off Grid. Why Not Do Both?  We conducted the interview just before a delicious lunch that Kim prepared, so you will hear her in the background of the recording Emma took.  It was an energetic solar talk!

During this episode we focus more on grid-connect solar PV and talk about my system, what I think about the future of residential solar PV is, and how batteries and hybrid systems will change everything due to a rapidly falling price and a very low feed-in tariff.

Solar Talk with Emma Sutcliffe

View from our gate

At about the 17 minute mark, when I am talking about our visit to the Waubra wind farm, Kim drops her clanger about a few of the people she would like to strap to the blades of a turbine.  A truly laugh-out-loud moment.

So if you would like to learn a little more about residential solar photovoltaic systems then this is the episode for you!

If you want to check out more of Emma’s work, visit her personal blog, theoffgridsolarhouse.com.  She is also a contributing author to the One Step Off The Grid blog.

Emma Sutcliffe Solar Talk

Emma Sutcliffe Solar Selfie!


Don’t forget that this podcast is supported financially by you, the listener.  This not only keeps the show (and blog) advertisement free, but keeps us on the air each week.

If you would like to support the show and pledge as little as US$1 to keep us up and running, please pop over to www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin/ and pledge away!

Also if you like the show, use the iTunes button and leave a rating and a review.  We love to hear what our listeners think about our show.

Until next episode, keep it green!

LIKE WHAT YOU'VE READ OR HEARD?
If so, please join thousands of others who receive exclusive weekly online recaps & tips, and get a FREE COPY of my eBook, The Greening of Gavin - My First Year of Living Sustainably.

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Filed Under: feed-in tariffs, Podcast, renewable energy, Solar Power, Sustainable Living, TGOG Podcast

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

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    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

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    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

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    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

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    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
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    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
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    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
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    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
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    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

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    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
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    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

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    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

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    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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