There is a lot to consider when you think about the quality of solar installations.
Solarbank takes pride in doing everything in a way that meets what customers think of as “quality”. Our 6 point quality check explains the importance of little things in your solar installation.
Cavity versus external conduit
Conduit is required in many instances to protect and conceal cables which carry the power generated by your solar power system.
Unfortunately, conduit can be ugly, poorly installed or (even worse) improperly installed.
Aesthetics
When a customer trusts in us to install a solar power system at their home or business we take it seriously and are mindful of the importance of maintaining the aesthetics of the premises.
Minimising Conduit
We will always do our best to minimise the use of external conduit for running cables to the inverter and meter board. In most cases we are able to install systems with little or no external conduit making for a very attractive installation.
Concealing Conduit
For some buildings this is not possible due to factors such as insulation in the walls. In these cases we will seek to run conduit behind drainpipes or other ducts to ensure a tidy look.
Here are some images of what a neat, tidy conduit installation looks like:
When you choose an inverter, you’re choosing the ‘heart’ of your solar system. This article covers the Fronius inverter and what sets it apart from other top inverters on the market.
What to look for in an inverter
For most customers, the main role of the inverter is to keep the system running! Of course there are other factors that weigh in. The most important things to think about when you choose an inverter are:
Company history & warranty reliability – Too often a poor choice of inverter can cost hundreds of dollars (or thousands!). This is simply because the inverter manufacturer doesn’t honour the warranty when things go wrong. For whatever reason, this happens much more than you might think. So it’s clearly very important to choose a company with a solid history. The Fronius has an exceptional reputation.
Efficiency & Performance – It’s not something people think about much. But inverter performance can add (or subtract) from your overall savings. Especially in cases where a relatively large failure to perform goes unnoticed. It can be hard to gauge how efficient an inverter is. Fronius solar inverters have a max efficiency of 97.8%*. Plus an MPP adaption efficiency of >99.9%!
Dual-tracker (MPPT) – You may or may not “need” a Multi Power Point Tracking (MPPT) inverter. But it’s usually a good idea! The MPPT allows you to have some panels facing one direction and other panels facing another direction, without compromising the system performance. Ensure you choose a Fronius inverter with 2 MPPTs.
System monitoring – The ability to monitor your solar system online is important. Until recently this has been something of a luxury. But monitoring ensures you get more out of your system. The Fronius inverter comes with Wireless monitoring as standard.
Battery-compatibility – This is definitely something to think about. Most inverters cost up to $2,000 these days. So you want to make sure you get many years out of yours! That includes when you’re ready (if not now) to put batteries into the mix. The Fronius inverter can be easily coupled to a battery system (such as a Tesla Powerwall).
Great warranties – We already talked about company reliability. Warranty is what it’s all about. In the event that you need to make a claim, you want to make sure the process is smooth. And you want to know the company will be around to honour your warranty! The Fronius inverter can be purchased with as much as 20 years warranty!
* Based on Fronius Primo 5.0-1 / 5.0-1 AUS
Fronius inverter history
Fronius started as an Australian company primarily in the welding industry. While their welding business is still strong, solar inverters are now a large part of their business. Their energy branch started back in 1995, making them one of the pioneers in household solar inverter technology. Since then, the Fronius inverter has evolved in leaps and strides. Today Fronius have a huge range to suit every application. From household to industrial scale! Fronius inverters are capable of becoming a full energy management system rather than “just” an inverter.
Fronius inverter features
This is how a Fronius inverter works in a hybrid solar setup.
Fronius have a range of inverters to suit any application. It’s hard to summarise all of their features. The key features which set the Fronius inverter apart are:
Smart-grid ready
Wireless monitoring
Battery-ready
In-built DC isolator
IP65 rated
A few different Fronius inverters (click to download datasheet):
Fronius Primo (standard residential unit – single phase)
Fronius Symo (residential – 3 phase)
Fronius Symo Hybrid (battery-ready inverter for residential or commercial)
Many more inverters available dependent upon application & requirement.
The Fronius battery system gives you an all-in-one Fronius energy solution
Why choose a Fronius inverter?
The Fronius energy monitoring system is simple and informative.
The Fronius inverter offers everything you could want from an inverter. That is a reliable, high-performing, battery-compatible system with easy monitoring!
And if you’re afraid of the price tag, think about the price you pay to get a cheap inverter.
Time spent operating at a lower performance
Time spent non-operational (in event of a failure)
Time taken to sort out warranty (if any)
Cost to fix inverter (if warranty doesn’t pull through)
This can easily add up. Choosing a Fronius inverter in the first place puts you in an excellent position. Avoid disappointment. Ask us for a free quote on a Fronius solar system today.
