This is important for PV systems because the inverter must convert direct current into mains compatible AC with an acceptable voltage level. Inverters are also designed to shut down if there is a problem with the grid for safety reasons.

In Germany, the voltage level is very precise (perhaps as you might expect) and since Germany is the world’s largest solar market by far, most inverters in Europe have their settings with Germany in mind. This means that when the
grid strays slightly away from 230V, the inverter temporarily shuts down. In the UK, the grid is much more likely to deviate from 230V, meaning that with German settings, an inverter could well spend more time off than on.

Luckily the problem is generally easily fixed by changing the inverter to new settings which make it tolerant to a wider voltage range. The key point to remember is that with the inverter shortage, products are being sold
which are completely unchanged from their German settings. This means you need to be extra vigilent when buying an inverter to ensure compatibility.

A related topic, that I will soon cover, is to do with how lots of solar energy connected to the grid can actually affect the grid voltage and frequency – but that’s another issue.

If an inverter is used in the UK without any change in settings then chances are, with our fluctuating grid, you will have peaks or dips in the voltage that shut off the inverter from time to time. The solution is simply to
change the settings via the firmware to allow the inverter to carry on working in a wider range of voltages.

Are you a land owner in the South of England?

We are looking for land that has the following requirements in order to build Solar Farms in the U.K and to start moving towards a greener Britain.

Basic Site Specification for Solar PV, UK

Size 1 – 15 hectares

Tenure: Freehold or long-term (25years minimum) leasehold

Orientation: Level ground or south facing angled, south of Birmingham

Electrical connection: Close proximity to any line to export the electricity generated is good. A 33kV line, or above would be preferable for larger sites

Shading: Avoid sites surrounded by shading from trees, buildings, terrain

Neighboring properties: No specific requirements, but large energy consumers who would directly purchase electricity generated may help economics.

Planning: No specific requirements, but avoid areas where adverse visual impact will lead to objections

Access: Vehicular access required for construction and O&M

Suggested sites: Brownfield development sites, former airfields, public sector landholdings, private landowners, former mining areas, industrial land, etc

If you believe you have a site we may be interested in please contact elliot@solarfeedintariff.co.uk

A further $400 Million in Loan Guarantees will be provided to Abound Solar Manufacturing to develop two new solar manufacturing plants. This is expected to create up to 1500 permanent jobs. It is an interesting move away from the Bush era’s pro oil approach. With the BP crisis in the gulf still in full swing Obama will face far less opposition in pushing these loans through. There will also be much stronger public support for renewable energy generally and drop in support for further off shore drilling programmes.

Obama is looking towards renewable energy as not only an investment in the environment but as a new industry to help rebuild America’s fragile economy. By investing in Solar power production Obama is opening a new income steam to the U.S and is also going to be competing directly with China who currently have huge solar panel production capacity.

As more countries realise the importance of investing in solar energy and solar panel development we are likely to see increases in efficiency and a decrease in technology costs.