At Mabone, our goal is always to put your needs first and provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions.
If you’re thinking of getting solar installed, here are some tips for what to look out for:
Solar panels:
- The manufacturer must offer a 25-year linear performance warranty for a minimum of 80% of the nominal power output of the module over the 25-year life cycle, as well as a 10-year product warranty.
- The PV panels must have been submitted to a stringent TUV Rheinland Power process and obtained the controlled inspection mark.
- Panels must have a global quality standards certification in accordance with IEC-standards 61215 and IEC61730. This assures compliance to international quality control standards.
- The solar panel should be raked at a minimum of 5 degrees to assist with dirt runoff during rain periods, to ensure performance and reliability over time.
- The solar panel specification must be stated and include the Wattage and the Voltage information.
Energy source
- Lithium-based battery packs must have a minimum cycle lifetime of between 2 000 and 3 000 cycles.
- All calculations made should be based on a MAXIMUM depth of discharge (DOD) of 80%, regardless of technical documents offered to the contrary.
- Each lithium battery pack must have an integrated Battery Management System (BMS) which monitors the health of the battery pack. This safeguards the cells so that they are not over charged or discharged, maximising their lifetime.
- The battery pack should operate at a temperature of between -20°C and +60°C.
Luminaire internals
- LED and electronic components compartment should have a minimum of an IP 66 rating and must be supported by a SANS 60529 report as a part of the tender document and returnable documents.
- The assembly of the luminaire should in no way use any sealing or “glued” components to achieve the required IP rating. This is to ensure that future replacement of components can be facilitated without damage to the luminaire.
- The luminaire must have a high-efficient light distribution. This distribution performance must be supported with a design, should it be required for performance evaluation purposes.
Get in touch to learn even more about solar and how it can benefit you.
