Tag: Solar Plants

Oil generator is considered one of the first and best systems which provides energy where’s no electricity. This kind of system is needed in every sector – both residential and commercial. People are calm at home, where they know they have no lack of electricity and at the same time, the companies, manufacturers are calm, when they realize the manufacturing won’t stay because of the power outage.

However, the problem is keeping going on, but the permanent electricity solutions are changing. Today solar battery systems are more and more extended than generators.

At first, we have to understand what the solar panel is, as it’s the most important element of the PV system.

The solar module / solar panel is a union of photovoltaic elements, which produce direct current. The solar panel is just a simple structure, which gives many visible advantages to its user, such as:

• Decrease of utility, electricity costs.
• Reduce of greenhouse gases.
• Minimum costs of exploitation.
• No noise pollution.

Solar panels may be monocrystalline and policristalline. They both are made from crystals.
To explain with the simplest words, a solar panel is an aluminium rectangle frame, which includes crystals and closes with special, protection glass. The glass has ideal transparency, so it helps the sun rays to penetrate inside. There are also some other type, flexible solar panels, without a frame, which are using for sticking on walls, on cars, tracks and so on. The efficiency of these panels is not as high as the simplest panels with frame.

Read also: Average lifetime of solar PV modules

So, concentrating only in solar panel technical characteristics and quality is not correct, cause in global, the productivity of solar panel is mostly depending on solar inverter, battery and other components characteristics and quality.

And so, let us introduce what are the core components of the most complicated solar PV system:

• Solar panels (modules), which produce DC from sun rays. 
• Controller, which is responsible for charging the batteries. 
• Solar inverter, which may be both three phase and single phase. This depends of the user’s network. 
• Batteries.

For the first phase of solar panel manufacturing process, some researchers are being done to use special high quality components and materials, which will be able to be exploited even in  -35 °C – +80 °C temperature terms.

The solar PV connection scheme may be introduces by the following way:

• DC is going to controller with good quality, three phase insulated cables.
• DC is dividing in two branches: One of the branches goes to house, which will be used by the user and the second branch goes to solar battery, where it’s being collected.
• DC is passing to battery by solar inverter, where it’s being made three or single phase. The solar inverter responds for making the current 220V or 380V.
• The alternating current is being distributed in junction box, after what it passes to feed all the equipment of the house.

However, the main reason to invest in solar PV installation is energy saving. For the excellent productivity of the PV system we have to take into consideration some factors such as the ideal site, no shade, good azimuth and slope, no high temperature and so on. We have talked and we’ll talk much for the role of these factors in our previous and next blogs.

Read also: How the solar inverter works? What kind of solar inverters exist?

To gain highest productivity, it’s very important to tilt the panels to south. The slope is already depending on the climate characters of the region, such as fog, temperature and so on. But anyway, the ideal variant is to change the tilt two times per year, in winter and in summer.
In the case, where solar panels are installed on ground, we need to consider also the snow load, so the solar structure, the mounting system must be higher. The height depends on the snow load of the region.

In case you’re thinking about an energy saving of your house or business, contact us․

Solar consulting and technical advice is free. Eco Step Armenia specialists will provide all the information and support.

Average Lifetime of solar PV Modules

Solar energy is being used in energetic field since the 1800s as we know. Famous French physician Alexander Edmond Becquerel was the one, who invented solar energy as an energetic and thermal solution in 1839, using also magnetic and optical forces.
Many countries try to boost the solar energy field and support the development by creating a profitable legislation field and loan terms for individuals and businesses to have energetic freedom and to solve ecological problems.

How many years will the solar PV module be exploited?

But anyway, the more people realize the profites of solar energy, the more they start to ask questions. One of these questions is: How many years will the solar PV module be exploited? How to prolong the solar PV panel’s productivity.

However, the guarantee of solar PV module’s productivity is given by the manufacturer, that’s why it’s important to collaborate only with certified, experienced solar PV manufacturers. Eco Step is proud to announce that all PV and solar inverter producers are classified in top 10 quality world manufacturers.
Offering only premium class solar products, Eco Step gives big importance also to installation quality and professionalism. Having a reliable product is not enough to guarantee long lifetime of the solar PV system. Eco Step Armenia ensures the PV system’s security and highest productivity, being sure in protection systems’ quality and long lifetime.
So, depending on the solar brand that the client will choose, Eco Step will provide more than 30 years of linear performance guarantee with 15-25 years of product warranty with free service.

Type of Solar panels

Anyway, solar panels are classified in two, big types: Monocrystalline and polycrystalline. There’re many opinions about the lifetimes of these two types, but we have to mention that it’s not professional to give advantage to one type, because the panels act differently in different regions and climate terms. For example, monocrystalline solar panels are better in cold, but not so foggy regions. Policrystalline solar panels have longer life period in very hot regions. But anyway, the advantage is for monocrystalline solar panels in Armenian climate terms. The monocrystalline solar panel will give more efficiency also. It needs fewer surfaces and produces more energy.

So, giving a big importance to the development of solar energy field, countries try to influence on solar panel and solar inverter producting quality, that’s why they demand quality and special certification for companies, which produce solar PV. The certificates are demanded also for every production series and every solar module with an exact code.

However, talking about solar PV module productivity, we have to take into consideration also the external factors which influence on PV system effiency:

• Solar PV panel slope and azimuth
• Climate terms of the region
• Solar PV module’s systematically cleaning and service
• Shadows
• Temperature of the region

Of course, except climate terms and PV module cleaning, it’s very important to provide mechanical security during the installation. If any damages be on the solar panel, it will have more degradation during the year.

This is the reason, that we take into consideration not only the manufacturing quality of the product, but also the work quality of installation team. 

Some people imagine only solar panels, when we’re talking about solar photovoltaic station. It’s not right. Solar PV station includes some other main components, which do a core job for the station’s permanent performance.

One of the most important, core elements of the solar PV station is solar inverter, which is responsible for energy output, for the energy our house equipment use. So, we may say, that the quality and the quantity of energy fully depends on solar inverter’s reliability.

In engineering language it’s more correct to say, that inverter’s core job is to convert DC – direct current received from the solar modues into AC – alternating current that the home exploits.

Solar inverters are classified into three main types

1. on grid
2. hybrid
3. autonomic

• on grid type inverters, which are mostly told as grid-tie inverters, combine energy of sun with the electricity energy. These systems are the most common in Armenia energetic market. One of the features of grid-tie inverters is automatically disconnection, when there’s no electricity from the electricity. So we may say that the inverter processes like a simple equipment which exploits electricity from the utility grid. The reason the inverter disconnects in case no electricity from the grid is for security reasons. They do not deliver reservoir energy during electricity idle to not damage electric grid serviceman’s health.
• Storage backup or hybrid inverters, have one main specification: they draw energy  both from a storage system and electric grid. The hybrid inverters are able to deliver AC energy to selected loads during a utility outcome, and are demanded to have some more protection systems like anti-islanding. This kind of solar systems are much used in factories, where 24 hours of energy is required for manufacturing. So in case grid electricity shuts downs, the storage systems start to be exploited. Except this main job, solar inverters are responsible for other important functions: voltage tracking, grid communication, and emergency shutoff.
• Autonomic inverters are exploited in insulated systems, where’s no electricity. In this case the inverter forms its DC energy from storage systems charged by PV modules. So we may say that between solar modules and inverter there’re solar batteries. Many off grid, autonomic inverters also take up other inseparable battery chargers, charge controllers to accomplish the battery from an alternating current source, when available. Normally these PV systems do not contact with the electricity in anyhow, and as such, are not demanded to have much protection systems. So, these kind of solar PV systems may be exploited in fields, in military, in agribusiness, in coffee tracks, where’s no electricity.

Except before mentioned categories, solar inverters may be also single phase and three phase, which depends on the equipment the house or business uses.

The base of solar inverter work is the energy that comes from the sun, The inverter assists changing the direct current, which

A solar power inverter utilizes solar energy that comes from the sun. It aids in changing the direct current solar electricity into the usable alternating current solar electricity. So we may understand that the DC is not usable electricity. We have to invert it to 220v for single phase current or 380V for three phase current to make our equipment work. DC is the solar energy that flows in one direction in the electricity flow and it helps providing current when there isn’t any electricity. But anyway, even when it exists when there’s no electricity, we need solar inverter to make the current usable. So the usable current is AC – alternating current.

Concentrating only on the highest quality, Eco Step Armenia provides guarantees installing leading brand inverters. Being the official distributor of Chinese German brand GoodWe, Eco Step installs various capacities of residential and commercial inverters.

GoodWe is a leading solar enterprise that research and manufacture PV inverter and energy batteries.

GoodWe is named No1 worldwide supplier of hybrid inverters by Wood Mackenzie.

We’re proud to point that GoodWe brand has classified as No1 into hybrid inverter manufacturers globally.  It’s now proudly topping the exclusive list. Goodwe brand occupies the 15% of the world solar market. These statistics are picked up from one of the reports of Wood Mackenzie’  titled “Global PV Inverter Market Shares Full – Year 2019”.

Relying only on the high reliability of the inverter, the Eco Step team installs all protection systems that protect the station from lightning, mains fluctuations, impulses and other hazards.

Maintenance and Monitoring is an important part of any solar program. Dirty panels produce less electricity than clean panels. The challenge for solar electric panel owners is that panel performance can become shaded with dirt and therefore give you less production without adequate cleaning. To maintain optimal energy production, solar arrays benefit from bi-annual solar panel cleanings especially in areas of high airborne particulates (dust, exhaust, organic debris, industrial processes).

Your solar panels need to be exposed to sunlight in order to produce power. However, unless you live somewhere with high amounts of smog, dust, dirt or sand blowing around, your solar panels don’t need to be cleaned often. In many cases, annual seasons and occasional rain will be enough to naturally and safely keep your solar panels clean.

The question is how often should this be done?

The design of solar panels is made in such a way that snow, rain and dirt do not accumulate on the surface, but flow down the glass. But over time, some dust and dirt still adhere to the surface of the panel and must be removed.
More dust, more pollen, less rain, less tilt – you should clean them several times per year. On the other end of those factors, you can do it less often. But once per year is always a good idea, and when in the year you do it also depends on those same issues.
When cleaning your solar panels, the most important consideration to keep in mind is that scratching or damaging the glass in any way will reduce a panel’s energy production. It’s best to approach panel cleaning the same way you might clean your car. Dish soap and warm water applied with a soft sponge or cloth is the safest and easiest cleaning method.

Remember – avoid damaging or scratching the glass at all costs!
Solar panels must be clean to receive the sunshine better!
Eco step provides free online monitoring system with wifi connection but also, we suggest getting our yearly package, which includes monitoring on site. The yearly package will include solar panel cleaning service 2-3 times, inverter monitoring on site, mounting system checking, correcting, fixing.

Eco Step offers:

• Solar panel one-time cleaning service
• Solar panel yearly package cleaning service
• Solar PV system cleaning and monitoring yearly package

As the years have passed it has become more apparent that to keep solar panels clean and free from obstruction,  they need to be cleaned.

What is the Homing Expo about?

For the first time, the unprecedented Homing Expo opened its doors from June 7-9 at the Meridian Exhibition Complex. Homing Expo brought together companies from the field of home renovation, furniture, interior and exterior design, and other related fields under one roof. EcoStep, with its innovative solutions, did not miss the main event of the year.

EcoStep at the Homing Expo

With a mission to make alternative energy accessible to all segments of society, the Homing Expo has become one of the best platforms to communicate and present our services to everyone. Our projects were showcased in our pavilion, which generated significant interest among visitors. We presented collaborations with Darget, VAK Metal, Domus, Shkaff, Zebra, and other well-known companies, along with projects designed for families. Products from leading solar energy brands such as Canadian Solar, Huawei, and Stäubli were featured at our booth. We provided visitors with comprehensive information about solar energy, its advantages, and the potential for savings.

The Canadian brand Canadian Solar is considered the most powerful panel in the world according to Forbes magazine, capable of producing up to 725 watts of electricity. Huawei’s Chinese-made inverters are recognized as among the best in their field. Huawei converters are known for their high efficiency, often exceeding 98%, meaning they can convert the vast majority of solar energy generated by solar panels into usable electricity. Interested visitors were offered gift cards providing discounts of up to AMD 1,000,000. If desired, specialists started processing loan applications on the spot, without burdening the client.

Why is solar energy important for a home?

The main goal of the Homing Expo was “Everything for a home under one roof.” As leaders in the field of solar energy, we were able to present the advantages of alternative energy to visitors:

1. Saving money: Solar panels generate electricity from the sun, potentially reducing monthly utility bills to zero.
2. Energy independence: By producing your own electricity, you become less reliant on the power grid and immune to energy price fluctuations and power outages.
3. State subsidies: Armenia offers subsidy programs that assist families in purchasing solar panels at 0% interest.
4. Increase in property value: Solar panels enhance a property’s value and attract interest from consumers.
5. Low maintenance costs: Solar panels are virtually maintenance-free.

What results did the Homing Expo achieve?

Visitors had the opportunity to learn about solar energy firsthand, receiving comprehensive information from leading experts in the field, and were encouraged to initiate their own solar energy projects.