Overview of Greenfield Energy’s Solar Installation
If you’re reading this, you’ve either decided to take the next step and are waiting for the big day where we install your solar system. Or, you may be wondering how much disruption is going to occur with your solar installation, and of course, what you can do about it. For the record, we aim to have minimal disruption during the solar installation process.
When we perform an Energy Audit and provide you a quote, we will give you an idea of what solar system should be installed, when your solar installation will occur, the potential for disruption, and how you can prepare for this. There are five steps involved in your solar installation. These are:
- Step 1: Preparing for the Solar Panel Installation
- Step 2: Installing the Inverter and Isolators
- Step 3: Connecting the Inverter, Switchboard and Solar Panels
- Step 4: Disconnecting Power and Commissioning Your Solar Installation
- Step 5: Induction to the Greenfield Energy family
For a more visually appealing and condensed overview, we’ve also included an infographic. For more details, continue reading on.
Step 1: Preparing for your Solar Installation
Our Clean Energy Council certified solar installers will set up the equipment and tools needed to install the solar panels, inverter and the connections to your property.
Our staff typically work in teams of two or three, split across the ground and the roof level, depending on what is the safest and most efficient installation. How we install the solar panels is dependent on your roof, particularly the angle of inclination (or the steepness of your roof), the material of your roof, how well tiles are fixed onto your roof and the best angle to collect rays of sunlight.
We leverage our six years of experience in installing across hundreds of homes in Cairns, Townsville and surrounds, to find the best long term solution for your home. For example, given the frequency of tropical storms and cyclones, we use Category C Cyclone rated rails to fix your solar panels onto your roof. This is designed to withstand the destructive effects of cyclones as strong as Yasi.
Step 2: Installing the Inverter and Isolators
We then mount your inverter on a site in your property; this is based on a consideration of accessibility, exposure to sunlight, moisture and dust. At the same time we will install and mount isolators are temporary switches so that we can connect the cables to the switchboard of your home.
Step 3: Connecting Cables from the Inverter to the Switchboard to the Solar Panels
The cables and solar panels are installed and connected to your inverter. These panels are mounted or what we call in the industry, plonked on. Depending on the size of your system and the roof pitch, this can take between one to two days. Then we are almost ready to commission your system.
Step 4: Disconnecting Power & Commissioning Your Solar Installation
After the connections are made and the installation is almost completed, we disconnect the power. Typically this can take between 30 minutes and an hour so make sure to charge your batteries, turn off your computers and prepare any coffee you may need. We’ll make sure to warn you well before hand and just before we disconnect the power.
We are then ready to officially commission your solar installation. This involves measuring the electrical output and comparing it to manufacturer’s specifications. We make sure that everything has been installed properly. At this stage, if any defects are detected we will replace them and make sure to inform you as soon as possible. We record these measurements as they will be used as a benchmark for future performance. You can read about our system monitoring here. We will also take photos of the serial numbers and images as evidence for claiming small-scale technology certificates (or STC.)
Step 5: Induction to the Greenfield Energy Family
After we commission your solar installation and you’re impressed by its performance, we ask you to sign off on the work we perform. Then, we give you the Greenfield Energy Welcome Package which consists of a tour of the solar installation on your property, documentation and the opportunity for you to ask any questions that we may not have covered. The documentation we provide includes,
- The list of equipment supplied and installed (including the panels used and the inverter)
- Shutdown and isolation process for emergency and for maintenance,
- An outline of the electrical ratings of your photovoltaic panels’ array, including the ratings of over-current devices and switches installed
- A system performance estimate,
- The recommended maintenance timeframe and procedure for your system,
- The Commissioning and Installation checklist
- Engineering certificate for your PV array frame for mechanical and wind loading
- Our installer’s declaration of compliance
- Warranty Information
- Documentation from the equipment manufacturer,
- List of actions in the event of an earth fault alarm (an abnormal electrical current)
At this point, your system will have been connected to the grid and power returned to the property. Get ready to turn the coffee machine back on, charge your devices, turn on Netflix, air conditioning and enjoy your new solar installation.
And while we don’t brag about this, we make solar installations really simple and minimally disruptive to your day. With Cairns and Townsville being one of the sunniest places in Queensland (and not to mention humid and warm,) we make it our mission to help residents across Cairns and Townsville, like you.
Whether you live on the Northern Beaches, in Earlville, Edge Hill, Whitfield, Redlynch, Freshwater or Smithfield in Cairns or Annandale, Bushland Beach, Picnic Bay or Northern Ward in Townsville, we’re committed to helping you make every sun ray count.
Read about our Solar Systems that have been designed to help you generate the most electricity out of your investment. It’s not always easy to understand the technicalities behind solar installation for everyday Australians but it’s our passion and something that we believe will greatly improve your life. And while it may not always be affordable to meet the upfront costs to install a solar system, give us a call or request an energy audit and we might be able to help you qualify for the government-backed $0 upfront solar finance so you can start saving today.