Solar Panels
The wifi of my Goodwe inverter is not working? What should I do?
Follow the steps in our manual to reset the Wifi of the Goodwe inverter.
What do the lights on my inverter mean?
On the left side of the inverter is a sticker that lists the explanation of lights.
Is there a premium for solar panels?
What is an inverter?
An inverter's job is to convert the direct current generated by the solar panels to alternating current. The alternating current allows you to use your electricity.
Why should I buy solar panels?
- They lower your energy bill
- You generate your own power, making you more independent from the grid
- They can be laid wherever you want: on a carport, garden shed, garage, roof, ground,...
- You don't need a permit
- They can be recycled
- They increase the value of your home
- They have a lifespan of up to 30 years
Are solar panels cost-effective?
- An average Flemish family with two adults and one child consumes about 3500 kWh, so you need an installation of approximately 6000 to 7000 euros.
- Families that use more need a larger installation, but it is not proportionally more expensive because the installation is a large part of the cost.
In general, it can be said that you will earn back the investment after 7 to 8 years. After this period your electricity is completely free because modern installations have a lifespan of +25 years!
The return on investment of solar panels remains very high, no savings account can compete with this.
Which orientation delivers the most?
The orientation and slope of your roof have a major influence on the amount of sunlight your roof can capture and thus determine your yield. For optimal yield, the panels should be oriented between the southeast and southwest, at an angle of 15° to 50°. Shadows from adjacent buildings, chimneys or trees reduce your yield. If there is a large tree blocking your sun rays, see if you can remove it or prune it regularly.
How much does solar panel installation cost?
The cost depends on several factors, the slope of your roof, the orientation, how much shade your roof gets, what you consume annually,...
Using our calculatoryou will receive a fully personalized quote with payback time and cost prices.
What guarantees am I entitled to?
On our Jinko solar panels you get 25 years product warranty and 30 years yield warranty >87.4%
What does Wp/kW mean?
Wp stands for "Watt peak," kW stands for "Kilowatt.
What is an optimizer and when do you use it?
An optimizer is a small box that can be placed between the solar panels and the inverter. Each solar panel has its own optimizer, they disconnect the panels from each other. Optimizers ensure that despite schaudwen the maximum from a panel is achieved. Because they are connected in parallel, there is less shadow and the yield remains optimal.
Do solar panels require a lot of maintenance?
Solar panels are very low maintenance, most dirt is washed away by the rain. Although of course there can always be something left behind, think of sand, leaves, dust,...
We recommend cleaning the solar panels once a year. The will benefit the yield. However, be careful if you choose to clean them yourself. Polish the panels with osmosis water without soap. Otherwise, there is a chance that you will remove the special protective layer.
There is snow on my solar panels, now what?
In case of heavy snow, the solar panels may be less profitable or even produce no power. In most cases, the snow will slide off on its own.
Do the panels work even when the sun is not shining?
Solar panels do not operate on sunlight but on light. So they function even in gray weather. Of course, they yield less in winter than in summer. But still enough.
Do solar panels have a long lifespan?
Solar panels have quite a long lifespan. For example, they last 25 to 30 years longer on average.
Home Batteries
What is a home battery?
A home battery is usually combined with solar panels. The battery ensures that the solar energy produced that you don't use yourself right away is
stored for later. That way, that energy can be used at times when the sun isn't shining.
Where do I best place my home battery?
Ideally, you should place your home battery in a cool room such as your garage or storage room. Preferably not too far from the inverter.
Is a home battery safe?
Yes, home batteries are tested and inspected in every detail before sale. The fire hazard of a battery arises primarily from a manufacturing defect or when the battery is damaged. However, if the battery was installed and connected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, this risk is very small.
Can I become completely grid independent with a home battery?
Completely grid-independent is theoretically not possible but by investing in a home battery you will still be somewhat spared from skyrocketing energy prices. So it definitely does pay off to purchase a home battery.
I have a solar panel installation, do I need an additional inverter for a home battery?
Yes, the inverter of your solar panels is not suitable for your home battery. If your solar panels and home battery are installed at the same time, a hybrid inverter is often chosen; it is suitable for both your home battery and solar panels.
Why is it interesting to invest in a home battery?
- Energy Storage
- Less reliance on the power grid
-Security in case of power failure
-Lower energy bills
How do I determine the capacity of my home battery?
The capacity of your home battery is calculated on the energy demand of your home. This capacity depends on your consumption profile. The less often you are home, the more electricity you consume in the evening. This means you need a larger home battery to accommodate your consumption in the evening & at night (when the sun is not shining).
Is there a premium for home batteries?
Yes, you can combine the premium for home batteries with the solar panel premium.
On this website of the Flemish governmentyou can find all information about premiums for home batteries
What is the lifespan of a battery?
Most home battery manufacturers provide a 10-year warranty. Studies show that the lifespan of current generation batteries is between 15 and 25 years
. Longevity helps determine the purchase price.
Can you benefit from a home battery even without solar panels
That is certainly possible,'At night your home battery can charge at a low night rate. You can then use the stored electricity during the day. Today, a home battery without solar panels is not profitable. You only buy your electricity at cheap night rate. On average, you earn a maximum of 100 euros profit per year on this. This is too little to offset the purchase price of a home battery over time.
Air conditioning
Does an air conditioner make a lot of noise?
An air conditioning system consists of 2 parts, an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. In the indoor unit there is a whisper-quiet fan that you hardly hear during normal use. The outdoor unit has a noise level of about 40 to 50 dB, which corresponds to the sound of rustling leaves. If your air conditioner makes too much noise, it could also be due to poor maintenance. Fortunately, there are ways to muffle the noise a bit. For example, you can install vibration isolation, completely encase the outdoor unit, etc.
Do you use an air conditioner only in the summer?
An air conditioner can be used throughout the year. In addition to cooling air, the newer units can change polluted air, ventilate and dehumidify, and
humidify. In winter, air conditioners can also be used as heaters.
An air conditioner costs a lot of money and uses a lot of electricity
An air conditioner is a simple way to cool or heat your home. If you combine an air conditioner with a heat pump, you can cool and heat your home in an energy-friendly way. Ideally, you then connect it to solar panels. The panels then supply the power, saving you on electricity costs and also reducing your environmental impact.
Air conditioning gives you a cold?
If you have your air conditioner serviced regularly and used correctly, you won't catch a cold. We recommend not letting the air conditioner blow directly into your face. Also, air conditioners remove pollen from the air, a relief for those who suffer from hay fever.
Does an air conditioner also filter air?
Modern air conditioners are equipped with filters and air purification functions. These remove pollen and dust particles from the air, among other things.
Can an air conditioner also humidify?
There are certainly air conditioners that can humidify as well as dehumidify. The air conditioner then extracts moisture from the outside air through the outdoor unit and brings it into the room through the
indoor unit.
Are air conditioning systems energy efficient?
The energy consumption of an air conditioner heat pump is expressed in the SEER value and SCOP value. The higher the SCOP and SEER values, the more efficient the air conditioner. These labels make it easy to compare the energy performance of different devices. Always choose an A+++ or A++ energy class. These appliances are slightly more expensive to buy but the most energy-friendly. In the long run, you will simply win back your investment.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of an air conditioner?
Benefits:
-Because of the filters in your air conditioner, air conditioners provide you with better air quality.
-Air conditioners can both cool and heat
-Air conditioners can also provide both humidification and dehumidification of the air.
-If you properly maintain your air conditioner, it will last for years.
Disadvantages:
-Air conditioners are more expensive than fans.
-The dehumidification can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, with too low humidity there is a chance of catching a cold.
What air conditioning systems are there?
Floor model: is often the solution when a wall or ceiling model is not possible. This can be when there is no false ceiling, there is a sloping roof or due to
lighting already hanging from the ceiling. This model is hung just above the floor, under a window or can be concealed in a closet or behind a
wall.
Wall model: the indoor unit is mounted on a fixed wall. This type of air conditioner is often placed in bedrooms, living rooms or office spaces. These air conditioners are not built-in, but have a sleek design so it does not interfere with your interior.
Built-in model: the air conditioning system is aesthetically concealed and the unit is barely visible in your interior. This model can be installed either in the ceiling or in the
wall. This type of air conditioner is often chosen when cooling only one room.
Cassette model: here only the grille is visible that is concealed in a false ceiling. The air is evenly distributed throughout the room as the air conditioner blows in
different directions. This model is often installed in larger spaces such as an office, retail space or in catering establishments.
More info on the different models can also be found on the website of Fujitsu, one of the brands we are convinced of.
Heat Pumps
What types of heat pumps are there?
We distinguish four heat pumps, all these pumps work on the same principle, the only difference per pump is in the way heat
is extracted and delivered.
- Water-water heat pump: A water-water heat pump extracts heat from the ground via an open or closed source. This is converted with high efficiency into energy for heating or cooling your home and/or heating domestic water.
-Air-Water Heat Pump: As the name implies, an Air-Water heat pump extracts its heat from the ambient air and pushes it compressed into the home. These pumps naturally work better in warmer weather (0-8°C) than in very cold temperatures (-25°to -10°C). As a result, the efficiency can vary a bit throughout the year.
-Air-to-air heat pump: An air conditioner or air-to-air heat pump is an energy-efficient device that controls the temperature in your home. When cooling, heat is extracted from the room through the indoor unit. Through pipes, this heat is transported from indoor to outdoor unit. Along the outdoor unit, this heat is dissipated.
-Ground-Water Heat Pump: The Ground-Water heat pump draws its heat from the earth, sometimes as deep as 80m. The compressor then pushes the compressed heat into the home. The earth has an approximately constant temperature throughout the year. This makes the efficiency constant and therefore slightly better than Air - Water heat pumps.
What are the premiums for heat pumps?
See more on the Flemish government website https://www.vlaanderen.be/stopgezet-premie-voor-een-warmtepomp-fluvius)
Are heat pumps sustainable?
Indeed, we can say that heat pumps are sustainable. It is also a path to the future without fossil fuels. Heat pumps use energy from the air, earth or water and therefore emit less CO2. Because a heat pump can run entirely electrically, it generates electricity sustainably
.
Can I connect a heat pump to my existing radiators?
There are 2 types of radiators, high and low temperature radiators. Heat pumps only work efficiently in combination with low-temperature delivery systems, such as underfloor heating, fan coil units and low-temperature radiators.
Do I need to have my heat pump serviced often?
To fully enjoy your heat pump, it is recommended to have your heat pump serviced. Once a year is sufficient.
Can I combine my heat pump with solar energy?
This is certainly an ideal combination, your heat pump is powered by electricity, your solar panels provide this energy. Because you generate your heat pump's electricity yourself, you can turn your home into a zero-in-the-meter home. You don't have to worry about winter because even when it's cold, your solar panels provide electricity for your heat pump.
Do I need a permit?
If your heat pump has a motive power greater than 200 kW, a permit will be required. If your motive power is smaller, all you need is a permit. Although the
conditions differ per region, so it is best to check this yourself.
Can a heat pump also heat domestic water?
A heat pump can certainly heat domestic water, it is also true that a heat pump will use less energy than a boiler.
Ventilation
What does a ventilation system do?
Ventilation systems ensure that air is changed and bad, polluted air is removed. This can be done naturally or mechanically.
Why do I need to ventilate, why is ventilation important?
Ventilation improves the quality of an indoor space and can prevent unpleasant odors, allergies and health problems.
Is maintenance of a ventilation system important?
For your system to work as efficiently as possible, it is very important to maintain it properly. Over time, dust, grease and bacteria accumulate against the walls of the ducts, causing the ventilation to work less well and inefficiently. Air throughput is reduced and the capacity of ventilation decreases. Health complaints and noise pollution are additional consequences. It is recommended to clean the ventilation ducts every 3 to 5 years and replace the filters every 6 months.
How do I know if I am adequately ventilating my home?
With a CO2 meter, you can check for yourself whether there is enough fresh air being supplied. Ventilation helps keep unpleasant odors, mold and dust mites away.
Does a ventilation system create drafts?
With large temperature differences between indoors and outdoors, it can sometimes feel like a draft. Through air vents in walls or windows, a mechanical ventilation system exhausts dirty air and brings in fresh air.
Does a ventilation system make noise?
The sound of ventilation systems is usually low-noise and not disturbing. If it does bother you, you can put silencers in your ventilation system. Disturbing noise can also be a sign that it is time for maintenance.
When is ventilation mandatory?
According to the EPB regulations for ventilation, new construction and or major renovations are required to be equipped with ventilation systems.
Which rooms should I ventilate?
For new construction and larger renovations, ventilations should be placed in the following areas: in the dry areas (e.g. living room, bedroom) in the intermediate areas, in the wet areas (e.g. bathroom, toilet, kitchen.., ) and in the boiler room.
Charging points
What is a charging station?
A charging station or charging point is an infrastructure that provides energy to charge the batteries of electric vehicles. You connect the plug to the electrical outlet to charge your vehicle.
What types of charging stations and plugs are there?
There are four different types of charging stations: public charging stations, semi-public charging stations, fast charging stations and private charging stations. Most public charging stations use type 2 plugs. You can also charge your car with a regular plug for the wall socket, this will take a little longer.
How fast can my car charge?
Depending on the power of the charge point, the car's internal inverter and the battery's capacity, the charging time for your car is determined.
Does a charging station need maintenance?
A charging station requires very little maintenance. Of course, it only plays to your advantage if you clean the charging station occasionally but maintenance by an installer is often not necessary.
How much does it cost to charge my car?
Charging prices tend to vary between from about € 0.20 to € 0.60 per kWh. With fast charging, this in turn varies between € 0.25 and € 0.79per kWh.
Is a private charging station cheaper?
Charging at home is indeed usually the cheapest. You pay to your own energy supplier. Public charging stations are 2 to 4 times more expensive than charging at home.
Can I pass on the cost of my charging station to my employer?
If you drive a company vehicle and have a charging station at home, your consumption can be easily and efficiently passed on to the employer. That way, both you and your employer don't have to worry about settlement.