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Grid Tied PV System with Battery Backup – User Manual
Version UM1142-PV-BT-v1.0 © solarcity 2019
6. GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
There are many ways to reduce the energy demand of your home and to maximise your use of solar power. Below are some basic
suggestions, plus you can check out our website at http://www.solarcity.co.nz
for more advice and frequently asked questions.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
• To reduce your energy demand, install energy efficient light bulbs and upgrade to energy efficient appliances when they need
replacing. Look out for the Energy Rating label which has to be supplied for all new whiteware, heat pumps, televisions and
computer monitors that are sold in New Zealand. Many of the top performing models will have four or five stars. Selecting energy
efficient appliances can have a significant impact on their lifetime running costs.
• The solar system and battery will deliver up to two-thirds of your home’s electricity needs. If you need more power than the
system and battery can provide it will be supplied automatically from the grid. Aligning your electricity consumption to your solar
generation will maximise the savings potential of solar. The battery gives you more flexibility by storing surplus solar power from
the day so you can use it at night. Stagger the use of your high energy use appliances, like a washing machine, dryer or
dishwasher. This will help reduce the amount of power that you need to purchase from the grid.
• If you have an electric hot water cylinder in your house: Typically, hot water is used in the morning. Instead of your cylinder
reheating immediately you can delay it to late morning / early afternoon, so that solar energy can be used to provide some of the
electricity required. As part of our solar installation we wired your hot water cylinder, so you can switch it on and off with a simple
swipe of the solarZero app.
• We’ve programmed the battery so that it provides you with power during peak times when rates for grid energy are high, typically
between 7-9am, and from 5-9pm. This schedule may be varied by us during the course of the year to optimise charge and
discharge times according to the times with high rates. During the day the battery stores surplus solar power. During the night it
stores grid power when energy rates are low so that it fully charged before the morning peak.
• Shade on the solar panels reduces the amount of electricity that the system produces. To keep the system performing at its best,
maintain any trees surrounding the house which may grow to shade the solar panels. Any new additions to your roof, such as an
aerial or antennae, vent pipes, sky lights, chimneys, etc. must be installed well clear of the array so that they don’t create any
shading on any of the panels in the array.
• Ensure that the solar panels are kept clean. Build-up of dirt on the panels causes shading and reduces electricity generation.
Most panels will self-clean when it rains, if they are installed at a pitch of 10 degrees, or steeper. However, it is good practice to
check the panels every quarter. If you live in an area that has significant pollen, the pollen can stick to the panel surface and may
not easily wash away with rain. See the maintenance section below for more information on cleaning.
7. MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM
solarcity agrees to repair the system under the terms of the Limited Warranty.
The new solar system will, under normal circumstances, operate without any intervention. For ongoing optimal performance, a few
simple actions can be taken to ensure that the system continues to perform safely, efficiently and has a long operating life.
Please note that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep the solar panels clean. You can easily perform the visual inspections
outlined below, or we can recommend a suitably qualified and approved contractor to perform these services, at your cost, if required.
Regular rain is usually sufficient to keep the panels clean, although if more than a fine layer of dust is present, cleaning is advised to
maintain optimum performance. Only clean panels when cool; in the morning, or in the evening. Use a soft brush and water to avoid
scratching the panels.
The system MUST be shut down before the cleaning steps below are performed.
Do not clean solar panels during hot, sunny days.
7.1 User maintenance
Maintenance should be carried out by trained and competent persons only. You may feel competent to carry out some work yourself. If
doing so, you must follow standard industry practice and appropriate safety guidelines. The solar system must be switched off before
any cleaning is carried out.
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