WHY MANY SOLAR INSTALLATIONS FAIL AFTER ONE YEAR — AND HOW TO PREVENT IT

Expensive generator fuel has pushed lots of Nigerians to install solar, but it has become a nightmare for several homes !!

AI: Complete solar power system

Solar power has become one of the most attractive alternatives to unreliable public electricity. Stroll down many Nigerian neighbourhoods today and you will see solar panels on rooftops, balconies, shops and compounds. For many homeowners, installing solar is no longer simply about embracing renewable energy. It is about having electricity when the grid fails and reducing dependence on petrol or diesel or gas generators.

But there is a disturbing side to this rapid growth: Some people install solar systems that work properly for the first few months and then gradually become disappointing. The batteries begin to run down quickly. The inverter starts showing faults. The solar panels produce less energy than expected. Some systems eventually become almost useless.

Why does this happen?
The problem is not necessarily solar technology. In many cases, the real problem is poor system design; this is similar to building a house on quick sand. Others are low-quality products, poor installation, inadequate maintenance or unrealistic expectations. In this article, I will explain the major causes and what a Nigerian homeowner can do to prevent them.

AI: Proper design is the bedrock of efficient project

POOR DESIGN
This is probably one of the most expensive mistakes many solar customers can make. Giving an installer only a general instruction such as ‘I need a 10 kVA solar system’ does not provide enough information to design the system properly. Generally, the installer needs to know:-

• What appliances will be powered?
• How many watts does each appliance consume?
• How many hours will each appliance operate daily?
• Which appliances have high starting currents?
• How much energy is required during the night?
• How many hours of useful sunshine are available?
• How much battery storage is required?
• What level of backup autonomy is expected? ( this is the period the storage battery will continue to function without receiving charge from the solar panels).
• Is the system off-grid, hybrid or grid-connected?

A system designed simply by looking at inverter capacity can easily become unbalanced. The customer should not tell the installer the size of the solar product needed; instead, information on all appliances to be powered should be given. With this, this installer will carry out an energy audit that will reveal the exact size of the project. No installation should be done without energy audit; installation without energy audit is “gambling”. Daily energy consumption = Σ (appliance power × hours of operation per day). The result is normally expressed in Watt-Hour or Kilowatt-Hour per day.

CHEAP OR SUBSTANDARD PRODUCT
The solar market contains equipment of very different quality levels. Two different brands of inverters may have similar advertised capacities but differ considerably in build quality, efficiency, protection features, monitoring capability, warranty and after-sales support.
The same applies to batteries, solar panels, breakers, cables, connectors and other accessories. A customer who chooses a product solely because it is cheaper may eventually pay much more through premature battery replacement, inverter failure, reduced energy production, repeated repairs, poor warranty support or system downtime.

However, this does not mean that the most expensive product is automatically the best;
it means that price should not be the only criterion for selection. The following information should be considered before purchasing:-

• Manufacturer's specification
• Warranty
• Technical support
• Replacement parts available
• Operating conditions suitable for the environment.
  A cheap product that fails early is not after all cheap.

AI: Battery bank

THE BATTERY
For a typical hybrid or off-grid solar system, the battery is extremely important because it stores energy for periods when the sun is unavailable.
Unfortunately, some installations treat the battery as an afterthought; this is a serious mistake. Battery life is affected by factors such as: depth of discharge,
charging and discharging patterns, temperature, charging settings, battery chemistry, load, installation quality, maintenance and monitoring. The right choice of battery, charging pattern and adequate maintenance will cause the battery to work efficiently and effectively; it will also last long. The battery is one of the most critical components of a hybrid or off-grid system. If it fails or loses significant capacity, the usefulness of the entire system can be severely affected.

AI: A skilled installer on duty

POOR INSTALLATION
You can buy excellent components (solar panels, a quality inverter and a good battery) and still end up with a poor-performing system.
Proper installation is important. Things that have adverse effects on installation are poor cable sizing, loose connections, inadequate protection, incorrect configuration, poor earthing and improper mounting. For example, a professional installation should not simply involve putting panels on the roof and connecting wires to the battery; it should involve proper electrical design, protection, testing and commissioning. Before you choose an installer, seek the following information:-

• Technical qualifications
• Previous installations
• Protection devices for the project
• Cable types and sizes (DC & AC cables should be used where applicable)
• Earthing
• Testing and commissioning
• Documentation
• Warranty
• After-sales service.

AI: Solar panels cleaning

DUST
This is particularly important; solar panels are permanently outdoors. Dust, dirt and other debris can accumulate on their surfaces and reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the photovoltaic cells. Solar panels should be inspected regularly and cleaned for optimum performance.

HEAT FACTOR
Most parts of Nigeria have a hot climate, and solar panels operate outdoors under intense sunlight. It may sound strange, but more sunlight does not necessarily mean higher panel efficiency. Solar panels generally produce less power as their operating temperature rises. This is why the panel's temperature coefficient and the local operating conditions should be considered during system design.

Heat also affects the performance of other components; hence,
installation design should allow appropriate ventilation and avoid unnecessary heat accumulation around the equipment. Batteries and inverters should be installed in suitable environments rather than enclosed in extremely hot, poorly ventilated spaces.

AI: Proper installation of the solar panels

INCORRECT PANEL POSITIONING
Solar panels need appropriate orientation and tilt to capture sunlight effectively. A poorly positioned array can reduce energy production even when every panel is functioning correctly. Shading is another serious problem: A tree, building, water tank, wall or other obstruction can cast shadows on panels during part of the day. Before installation, the following should be checked:-

• Likelihood of morning and afternoon shading
• A nearby tree that may grow into the path of sunlight
• Suitable roof orientation
• Secure mounting structure
  (poorly mounted panels can be removed by strong wind)

INSTALLATION MONITORING
This is one of the most overlooked problems; monitoring should be taken seriously. Fortunately,
modern systems can often provide information about
solar panels generation,
battery state of charge,
battery voltage,
inverter output,
energy consumption and
fault conditions.
Don't wait until the system stops working completely; regular monitoring and early detection can prevent a small fault from becoming an expensive repair.

OVERLOADING THE SYSTEM
Another common mistake is buying a system based on today's appliances and then gradually adding more loads. Know your system's limits and adhere to it.
If your electricity needs increase substantially, don't simply connect the new appliances. Reassess the entire system and upgrade accordingly. The upgrade may require additional solar panels, battery capacity, inverter capacity or a combination of these.

MAINTENANCE
Solar energy is often described as "free electricity." The sunlight may be free, but the equipment is not maintenance-free. A good maintenance programme should include appropriate inspection of the
solar panels, cables, connectors, mounting structures, inverter, batteries,
protective devices,
earthing system, ventilation and system performance.
Think about solar like a car: You wouldn't buy a new car and never check the tires, engine oil, brakes, etcetera. Likewise, your solar system needs attention if you expect it to serve you reliably and efficiently for years.

VANDALISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
Solar equipment is valuable.
In some locations, panels, batteries, cables and other components may be vulnerable to theft or vandalism. Depending on the location and type of installation, the following should be observed:-

• Secure panels properly
• Protect exposed cables
• Secure battery and inverter rooms
• Restrict unnecessary access
• Consider appropriate security measures.
  A technically perfect solar system can still fail if critical equipment is stolen or deliberately damaged.

Solar power is not the problem; poorly designed, poorly installed, poorly maintained or poorly managed solar systems are the problem. Nigeria has enormous potential for solar energy, and the rapid growth of distributed solar is understandable given the country's electricity challenges. But reliability will depend not only on how many systems we install, but also on how well we design, install, operate and maintain them.
The good news is that many solar failures are preventable.
Those who spend more time asking the right questions before installation can save enormous amounts of money and frustration later.
So before you sign that solar installation contract, remember: Don't buy solar equipment first; design the solution first.

In the next article, I will explain in detail how to reduce generator fuel consumption without damaging the engine. Stay tuned

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