This document describes the Abora aH72 SK hybrid solar panel, a device that combines photovoltaic (PV) and thermal (T) technologies to generate both electricity and heat. This integrated approach allows for a more efficient use of solar energy compared to separate PV and thermal systems.
Function Description
The Abora aH72 SK is a hybrid solar panel designed to absorb solar irradiation and transfer it to a circuit where it is used to heat domestic water, heating, swimming pool heating, or industrial processes. Simultaneously, the photovoltaic component generates electricity. The thermal collectors are generally used for domestic water heating, heating, swimming pool heating or industrial processes. A heat transfer fluid, usually a glycol solution, is used to transfer the thermal energy to a heat exchanger and prevent it from freezing.
The system incorporates a mounting system that allows for various configurations, including separation between triangle supports and different distances between front and rear fixing on triangles, depending on the inclination. The panel rails are designed for easy installation and connection. The system also includes components for hydraulic circulation, temperature sensing, air and drain outlets, safety valves, and a control system.
The photovoltaic subsystem consists of solar modules, string connectors, and direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) protections. An inverter is used to convert the DC electricity generated by the solar modules into AC electricity for grid connection or consumption. The system is designed to be installed by qualified professionals, ensuring proper wiring, grounding, and protection against electrical hazards.
Important Technical Specifications
The Abora aH72 SK panel has the following general specifications:
- Dimensions: 1650 x 995 x 85-122 mm (depending on the number of connections).
- Area: 1.64 m².
- Weight: 44 kg.
- Number of cells: 72.
- Cell type: Monocrystalline.
- Front glass: 3.2 mm, tempered.
- Frame: Black anodized aluminum.
- Junction box protection: IP65.
- Number of diodes: 3 diodes.
- Dimensions of the cell: 156 x 156.
- Connection box length cables: 1m.
Electrical Specifications (STC AM 1.5, 1000 W/m², cell temperature 25°C):
- Nominal power: 350 W.
- Maximum power voltage (Vmpp): 34.93 V.
- Maximum power current (Impp): 8.98 A.
- Open circuit voltage (Voc): 41.73 V.
- Short circuit current (Isc): 9.73 A.
- Panel efficiency: 21.3%.
- Power tolerance: 0/+3%.
- Maximum system voltage: 1000 V (IEC).
- Backsheet: Black.
- Temperature coefficient of Pmpp: -0.33%/°C.
- Temperature coefficient of Voc: -0.33%/°C.
- Temperature coefficient of Isc: 0.04%/°C.
- Maximum reverse current: 15 A.
- NOCT temperature: 45±2°C.
Thermal Specifications:
- Optical performance: 0.7.
- Coefficient of thermal losses, a1: 3.00 W/m²K.
- Coefficient of thermal losses, a2: 0.00 W/m²K.
- Fluid volume per panel: 1.28 L.
- Stagnation temperature: 100°C.
- Hydraulic circuit connections: 4x quick connect.
- Maximum admissible pressure: 10 bar.
- Nominal flow: 60 L/h.
Operating Pressure:
The maximum operating pressure for the modules is 10 bar, and the maximum system pressure is 3 bar.
Circulator Pump:
The recommended flow rate is 60 liters per hour per collector.
Usage Features
The Abora aH72 SK is designed for use in various applications requiring both electricity and heat.
- Mounting Flexibility: The panels can be mounted on roofs with pitches between 0° and 90°, and must be installed according to the provided instructions. The mounting system supports different inclinations and configurations, allowing for adaptability to various roof types and project requirements. The minimum tilt of the panels should be 10° to allow rain to wash away dirt.
- Hybrid Energy Production: The panel simultaneously generates electricity and heat, making it an efficient solution for homes and businesses seeking to maximize solar energy utilization.
- Integrated Control System: The system includes a control system with sensors for temperature and flow, ensuring optimal performance and safety. The control system manages the circulation pump and other components to maintain desired temperatures and prevent overheating or freezing.
- Safety Features: The system incorporates safety valves, expansion compensators, and electrical protections (fuses, circuit breakers, grounding) to ensure safe operation.
- Fluid Management: The use of a glycol solution as a heat transfer fluid helps prevent freezing, making the system suitable for colder climates. The system includes air outlets and drain valves for proper fluid management.
- Easy Installation: The panel is designed for straightforward installation, with clear instructions for connecting panels, rails, and hydraulic and electrical components. The mounting structure is designed to be robust and secure.
Maintenance Features
Regular maintenance is crucial for ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of the Abora aH72 SK hybrid solar panel system.
- Care and Maintenance Schedule:
- Quarterly: Glass cleaning, solar fluid test, pump performance test, pump status check, controls settings check, piping system check.
- Annually: Electrical system check.
- Cleaning and Inspection:
- External System Cleaning: Regular cleaning of the glass surface is important to ensure that dirt does not affect the performance of the panel. A mild soap solution and soft cloths should be used.
- Inspection for Damage: Check for physical damage, cracks, loose wires, or corrosion. Inspect for damage from rodents or weather.
- Electrical Checks: Verify all wiring for possible damage and ensure all connections are tight and free of corrosion. Check for electrical leakage to ground. Check screws, mounting brackets, and control components to make sure they are tight.
- Solar Fluid Test:
- Quarterly Check: Perform a solar fluid test to check for leaks and dilution of the thermal fluid. Leaks can cause a reduction in performance and potential damage to the system.
- Hardness Check: Accumulation of hardness inside the heat absorber can decrease the performance of the system.
- Hydraulic System Maintenance:
- Pump Manufacturer's Recommendations: Follow the pump manufacturer's recommendations for scheduled maintenance work and inspections.
- Leak Checks: Inspect pump seals and gaskets for leaks. Ensure flexible couplings are in good condition and that bearing lubrication is performed as required.
- Expansion Vessels: Inspect expansion vessels to ensure they maintain proper pressure. Follow the instructions and maintenance plan provided by the manufacturer of the expansion vessel.
- Pressure Relief Valves: Inspect pressure relief valves to ensure they are in good working order.
- Safety Valves, Storage Tanks, and Accessories: Inspect for leakage.
- Domestic Hot Water Systems: For domestic hot water systems, the competent authorities may require periodic disinfection of systems in contact with drinking water or food preparation.
- Electrical and Control System Maintenance:
- Manufacturer's Recommendations: Follow the recommendations of the manufacturers of auxiliary electrical equipment for preventive and predictive maintenance.
- Wiring and Connections: Verify the configuration of the installation's control system during these inspections. Ensure all safety connections, junction boxes, connection points, string connectors, protective panels, and other electrical connections are in good working order.
- Expansion Vessel Calibration:
- Regular Calibration: The expansion vessel must be capable of absorbing the fluid expansion that occurs in moments of stagnation with the consequent risk of overheating.
- Pressure Check: The circuit pressure must have been calculated. The expansion vessel must be calibrated at a pressure equal to the initial pressure of the system without operation.
- Nitrogen Content: It is important to remember that the content of the expansion tank is nitrogen, since inside it contains a membrane with metal parts that would oxidize with oxygen.
- Pressure Gauge: It is essential to have a pressure gauge to carry out this check.
- Cleaning, Filling, and Tightness Testing:
- Initial Cleaning: The primary circuit must be filled with a pressure 1.5 times higher than the working pressure, which will be reduced later.
- Fluid Filling: It is very important that the filling phase is carried out with little solar radiation (at the first or last hour of the day) since, when the primary pump is stopped, the stagnant fluid could reach high temperatures and evaporate, forming air pockets in the installation and causing problems in the circulation and filling. The panels will be covered.
- Glycol Penetration: Due to the capacity of glycol to penetrate into fine grooves, due to its lower surface tension compared to water, it is necessary to make a new tightness test, this time with the heat transfer fluid.
- Installation System Bleeding:
- Air Pockets: In an installation, air pockets are one of the main problems as they affect the panel connections, reduce the flow of the working fluid, and therefore the performance of the system, and also damage the glycol.
- Pumping and Purging: This operation is carried out using air bleeders. It is important to place a shut-off valve before the air bleeders to ensure that the circuit is completely watertight. If air separators are used, they will have a bleeder with which to eliminate the micro-bubbles as many times as necessary during the start-up process.
- Bleeder Maintenance: There is a risk that the speed of the fluid is capable of driving the bubbles into the circuit without the bleeders being able to evacuate them. This is why it is necessary to have an air separator. This must be installed in the hot pipe and at the lower part of the circuit, which facilitates maintenance.
- Circulation Speed: A larger section reduces the circulation speed, allowing the bubbles to stop being dragged by the fluid and to rise. The air is expelled with the bleeder.
- Pressure and Flow Adjustments:
- Start-up: Pressure and flow are the last parameters to be controlled at start-up.
- Drain Valve: To regulate the final pressure of the installation, the drain valve will be opened until the appropriate pressure is reached. It is recommended that the expansion vessel is 0.3 bar below the final pressure of the installation.
- Heat Transfer Fluid: The remaining heat transfer fluid in the vessel can be released into the circuit in the event of outside temperatures lower than those at the time of filling, and dryness or sticking to the wall of the vessel can be avoided.
- Best Practices:
- Flow Rate Adjustment: For the final flow rate of the installation, it is recommended to adjust it to 50 liters per hour per panel.
- Shut-off Valve: Its adjustment will be done through the speed of the pump, throttling its shut-off valve until the desired flow is achieved.
- Flow Meter: The use of a flow meter is essential in order to read the flow rate of the installation.
- Uncontrolled Introduction of Quicklime: Automatic filling from the grid is not recommended. There is a risk of uncontrolled introduction of quicklime into the circuit, possible leaks in the system are not detected, the glycol is diluted without any control, and the concentration of the heat transfer fluid is lost, with the consequent risk of freezing which will cause damage to the system.
- Safety Valve: It is not good practice to lead the outlet of the safety valve to a drain, as this makes it very difficult to control and quantify possible losses in the installation.
- Thermal Regulations: Furthermore, the regulations for thermal installations do not allow drainage at high temperatures.
- Container for Safety Valve: It is recommended that the safety valve be directed to a container that is not connected to the drainage system, such as a bottle, for example.
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