Can AC Solar systems be combined with energy storage?
Yes, AC Solar systems can be easily combined with batteries to create a complete home or business energy management system. for more information visit this page.
How much do AC Solar systems cost?
Microinverters are generally more expensive than DC string inverters of equivalent capacity. However, these costs are off set by some savings from not having to install DC isolators and heavy duty conduit and time savings from not needing to mount a large string inverter on the wall near the main switchboard. Generally, good quality AC Solar systems will cost between 5% and 15% more than equivalent sized DC systems. This extra cost is quickly recouped through the additional energy yield from the AC system.
How reliable are AC Solar systems?
Reliability of solar systems is a function of the quality of the equipment used and the design of the system. In our experience, good quality microinverters like those made by Enphase Energy are extremely reliable. By the nature of the system architecture, even if a microinverter does fail the problem only affects a single module with the remainder of the system continuing to operate as normal. So a 5kW residential system with a failed microinverter would only lose 1/20th of the output of the array while the problem is being rectified. A 30kW commercial system would only lose 1/120th of the array output. In contrast if a DC string inverter fails the entire output of the system is lost. If communications between the microinverter and the communications gateway are lost the system continues to operate as normal - there is no interruption to supply in this situation.
How are AC SOlar systems safer than conventional DC systems?
DC power is inherently more dangerous and difficult to control than AC Power. With AC power, the flow of electric current alternates between positive and negative values fifty times each second, and appropriately designed switches and circuit breakers can therefore interrupt the flow of AC electricity relatively easily without significant arcing or burning. However direct current (DC) flows only in one direction without crossing the zero point at any time. DC arcs are much more difficult to extinguish, requiring especially designed DC circuit breakers and switches to quench the arc generated whenever a circuit is interrupted. There are numerous examples of situations where faults on DC circuits have resulted in continuous arcs that cause significant damage and start fires that have destroyed solar systems and the buildings they are installed on.
There are a number of safety measures and controls that can be put in place to reduce the risk of arcs in DC solar systems however the safest approach is to eliminate the risk all together by installing an AC Solar system which contains no dangerous DC voltages.
There are a number of safety measures and controls that can be put in place to reduce the risk of arcs in DC solar systems however the safest approach is to eliminate the risk all together by installing an AC Solar system which contains no dangerous DC voltages.
How can I get a quote for the installation of an ac solar system?
We recommend having your AC Solar system installed by an AC Solar Certified business. By filling in the enquiry for here, we will put you in touch with AC Solar Certified businesses in your area.
What happens if a microinverter fails?
The likelihood of a microinverter failure can be minimised by installing products from market leading brands like Enphase Energy and APSystems. If a microinverter does fail, the output from the individual solar panel that it is connected to will be lost. The failure will raise an alert on the monitoring system and depending on the type of system you install, an email may be sent to you with the time and date of the problem and any other relevant information. Equiped with this information, a qualified solar installer can quickly locate and replace the faulty unit.
How long is the typical warranty period and what does it cover?
Reputable microinverter manufacturers provide a warranty of at least 10 years, with some providing an option of up to 25 years. Most manufacturers also meet the cost of replacing the microinverter up to a maximum of around $150 per incident. You should ask your installer about the microinverter warranty prior to purchasing a system. Note that a long warranty does not necessarily indicate that a product is of good quality. The most important factor to consider is the background and substance of the company that provides the warranty.
Can any solar company install AC Solar systems?
Technically any CEC accredited installer can install AC Solar Systems. As the technology is relatively new, some companies/installers have had little or no exposure to AC Solar systems, so our advice is to deal with AC Solar Certified businesses wherever possible.
What is a “AC Solar Certified” installer
AC Solar Certified installers are companies that have significant experience in the design, installation and maintenance of AC Solar systems. These companies have received training from equipment manufacturers and suppliers and demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the technology. They use only quality microinverters and are supported by the professional engineers at AC Solar Warehouse, Australia's only specialist wholesaler of AC Solar technologies.
Can I get a list of AC Solar Certified solar installers in my area?
We don't publish a list of AC Solar Certified installers, however we can certainly put you in touch with certified installers in your area. Please complete the enquiry form here.
Who are the leading manufacturers of AC Solar equipment supplied in australia?
There are many companies manufacturing microinverters and AC modules around the world. In Australia we have seen quite a few products come and go in the last few years. We recommend microinverters manufactured by Enphase Energy and AP Systems, who are the world's # 1 and # 2 manufacturers of AC Solar technology.
When Will the ENphase AC Battery be AVAILABLE in Australia?
The Enphase AC Battery is able to be pre-ordered through your AC Solar Certified business and delivery of the first large shipments of the battery are expected around the middle of 2016.
How do DC Optimisers compare to AC Solar?
DC optimisers have some of the advantages of AC Solar system but they still have all the disadvantages of DC systems.
DC optimiser systems operate at dangerously high DC voltages. You still need to install failure-prone DC Isolators on the roof and the DC cables from the roof to the inverter need to be be installed in heavy duty conduit. They have several 'single points of failure' including the DC isolators and the inverter. If any of these fail or the communications between the inverter and the optimisers drop out, the entire system shuts down.
With optimiser systems you need to design the system around minimum string sizes, and generally if you don’t have at least 6 modules exposed to the sun the whole array will shut down. You can’t do multi-phase residential installations with DC optimisers in Australia, and for residential systems the full DC Optimiser system costs about the same as an AC Solar system anyway. Optimiser systems may be a better option than straight DC systems, but AC Solar systems are safer and more reliable, and there are plenty of studies, such as this one, that show they produce more power under real life conditions.
DC optimiser systems operate at dangerously high DC voltages. You still need to install failure-prone DC Isolators on the roof and the DC cables from the roof to the inverter need to be be installed in heavy duty conduit. They have several 'single points of failure' including the DC isolators and the inverter. If any of these fail or the communications between the inverter and the optimisers drop out, the entire system shuts down.
With optimiser systems you need to design the system around minimum string sizes, and generally if you don’t have at least 6 modules exposed to the sun the whole array will shut down. You can’t do multi-phase residential installations with DC optimisers in Australia, and for residential systems the full DC Optimiser system costs about the same as an AC Solar system anyway. Optimiser systems may be a better option than straight DC systems, but AC Solar systems are safer and more reliable, and there are plenty of studies, such as this one, that show they produce more power under real life conditions.