The whole category in one page.
SIZE FROM A MEASURED LOAD ASSESSMENT, BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE FOLLOWS FROM IT
List every item, its actual draw and its hours. Reducing load reduces system cost more than any other decision, since batteries dominate the price.
RATED PANEL OUTPUT IS NOT ACTUAL OUTPUT
Temperature, shading, dirt and cable losses all reduce it, and systems must work in the worst month rather than the average one.
SIZE INVERTERS FOR MOTOR STARTING SURGE, NOT RUNNING LOAD
DOCUMENT THE AGREED DESIGN LOAD AND HAVE THE CUSTOMER SIGN IT
Added load is the commonest cause of complaints, and the signed design is what settles them.
TELL CUSTOMERS AT THE POINT OF SALE WHEN BATTERIES WILL NEED REPLACING AND WHAT IT WILL COST
Omitting it overstates payback substantially, and discovering it later feels like concealment.
ENFORCE DISCHARGE LIMITS THROUGH SYSTEM SETTINGS RATHER THAN INSTRUCTIONS, BECAUSE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED WHEN POWER IS NEEDED
PANELS CANNOT BE SWITCHED OFF — THEY ARE LIVE WHENEVER THERE IS LIGHT, AND POOR CONNECTIONS ARE A LEADING CAUSE OF FIRES
NEVER UNDERSIZE TO WIN ON PRICE, BECAUSE THE SYSTEM FAILS, THE CUSTOMER BLAMES YOU, AND IT DAMAGES THE WHOLE SECTOR
AND DO NOT INSTALL FASTER THAN YOU CAN SUPPORT, SINCE EVERY INSTALLATION ADDS A PERMANENT OBLIGATION AND AFTER-SALES IS WHERE THIS INDUSTRY'S REPUTATION WAS LOST
