Project Description
After finding us on Google, this lead answered a few questions that helped our engineers determine her power needs and make recommendations. After the installation, at a later date, another string of panels were added to the system to expand the power available to the client. The project incorporated the following:
1. Six (6) monocrystalline Era solar panels were used in designing the system. They were connected in two strings of three panels each. A month later, on the request of the client, six more solar panels were added to the system.
2. Eight (8) SolarKobo batteries were used in designing the system. All Solarkobo batteries are AGM meaning that they are safe; they emit gases only when severely overcharged. They eliminate worries about explosions, spillage and constant maintenance. Thus, can be installed in living areas and office corners. They are also maintenance-free for life and do not require constant maintenance.
3. A Prag inverter was used in designing the system. Prag inverters are able to perform sophisticated functions. They are built to operate under highly rugged physical and power environment. They are sleek and are built to fit into interior designs.
4. An 80A Epever MPPT charge controller was used in designing the system.
Isolation
As can be seen in the picture below, this installation was done in a rather chaotic environment. Usually, before installing the components of a designed system, technicians first perform what is called 'isolation'. They try to locate connections in the central circuit board to sockets that certain appliances that are not designed to use the system, for instance an air-conditioner unit or an electric cooker, are connected to and remove them from a second switch board that is added to the general circuitry.
The reason for this is so the user will be able to use the system as a UPS, that is, automatically without having to manually have to disconnect those appliances each time grid power goes off! Imagine having to run off to turn off this or that appliance whenever grid power goes off and then returning to turn them back on when grid power returns. This is rather tedious. An uninterrupted power supply means that users do not necessarily need to be even aware that grid power has gone off much less, running off to turn off an appliance.
When an inverter is overloaded, it will ring out an alarm or automatically shut down. This isolation is done so as to avoid this inconvenience. The user points out socket points in the house that will overload the inverter to our technicians and those points are removed from the second layer of circuitry that is added to the system.
Protection Features
In addition to the protection features provided by the inverter against reverse current, overload and overcharge, the system incorporates extra protection features including AC and DC circuit breakers and surge adapters. They offer additional protection to the client's investment. They also make it easy and safe to disconnect the system from the panels in the case of emergencies like lightning that could damage the inverter or appliances or even solar panel fires.
SolarKobo helps its clients in Lagos and elsewhere in Nigeria figure out their power needs and make the best possible choice of all solar products including batteries, solar panels and charge controllers that meet their peculiar power needs and fit their budgets. We also have university-trained engineers who provide the best possible installation services on order.