I actually thought I’d seen it all in the climate emergency fantasy world and that nothing could shock me any more, that we rational human beings had probably witnessed Peak Stupid or something close in the faux debate about ‘climate breakdown’ and what we as a society should be doing to ‘stop’ it. But […]
Not everyone who would like solar panels has a suitable roof to put them on. I have occasionally wondered if there was any potential in a service that matched such people with a solar farm elsewhere. Then this week heard about Saulės Bendruomenė, which means Solar Communities and has just launched to do exactly that […]
Not everyone who would like solar panels has a suitable roof to put them on. I have occasionally wondered if there was any potential in a service that matched such people with a solar farm elsewhere. Then this week heard about Saulės Bendruomenė, which means Solar Communities and has just launched to do exactly that […]
We install a large number of Power Factor Correction Units, custom-built in our Melbourne facility for clients across Australia. These advanced pieces of technical equipment are designed to reduce the maximum demand (kVA), reduce electrical system losses which will result in reduced active power (kW) and reduced reactive power (kVAr). Each of these elements, if neglected, will contribute to higher power bills and a higher carbon footprint. A Power Factor Correction unit is designed to make the property more energy efficient. However, the installation of a Power Factor Correction (PFC) unit is not a quick fix. The unit will require maintenance in order to ensure it continues to operate at optimal levels over the course of its long lifespan.
Every piece of equipment in a commercial property needs to be periodically serviced. Your PFC Unit is no exception. Over time, the unit’s performance levels will drop. It may be almost unnoticeable but without attention, the unit’s capacity to perform will deteriorate to the point when your energy efficiency is no longer optimized. A PFC unit can pay for itself in as little as 6 months. This demonstrates how valuable they are as installations within commercial properties but also how important it is for businesses to not consider these as a one off purchase and instead to continue periodical investments in servicing the equipment.
In principle, PFC units are extremely efficient and provide an invaluable service which cannot be matched by on-site engineers. However, sometimes human intervention is required; for the servicing of a Power Factor Correction unit. Often, the installation of a PFC unit enables a business to scale down their on-site management teams because fewer engineers are required to monitor and manage the equipment. The PFC unit is capable of doing the work of a number of engineers, with more efficiency and better data tracking. They are typically running 24/7, required to always perform and operate within the plant. This will, over time, lead to deterioration of parts and loss of efficiency. At this point, we recommend the servicing of your PFC unit and setup.
The servicing of a Power Factor Correction unit from Quality Energy includes the following:
Download data
Check reactors
Thermal imaging of capacitor bank
Check joints and connections
Replace air filters as needed
Remove collected dust
Check capacitor elements
Full written and graphic report
We work with onsite engineers to complete these tasks, if required. Our reports are available in full for our clients. Our experts are able to talk you through any elements of the report which you do not understand or would like additional information about. We are able to highlight any problems which we identified and explain the steps we took to rectify the issue. This allows you to understand the importance not only of your Power Factor Correction unit but also the periodical servicing.
While we recommend annual servicing for all of our clients, there are times when a PFC unit will require emergency servicing. This is very rare, but it does sometimes happen and when an emergency occurs, Quality Energy is available for call outs. We will endeavour to be on-site as soon as possible, if required, to provide emergency servicing to your PFC units. Alternatively, we can work with your engineers and provide advice over the phone if appropriate.
Quality Energy has over 30 years’ experience servicing PFC systems. In addition to our own, bespoke built PFC units, we are able to service any existing units made by other manufacturers which may be installed on the premises.
Power Factor Correction units should be serviced every year. If you would like to book in for a recurring service, reach out to us today and organize your first service appointment. Alternatively, if you do not want to book in for a recurring appointment, we can send an annual reminder when a service is due to help you ensure your unit is always optimized.
At the SPS fair in Nürnberg 2019, Danfoss gave a sneak peek its new active harmonic filter for high power quality applications. Sources say it is due to be launched in q1 of 2020. We look forward to check out its specifications. Danfoss was the first drives manufacturer to use active harmonic filters as a […]
In an age of flashy jQuery scripts and bulky JavaScript front-end frameworks, loading a “lite” website is like a breath of fresh air. When most of us think of lightweight sites, though, our mind goes to old-style pure HTML and CSS sites or the intentionally barebones websites of developers and academics. Low-tech Magazine, an intentionally […]
Get Competing Solar Quotes: https://www.energysage.com/?rc=p-be Solar Calculator: https://www.energysage.com/solar/calculator?rc=p-be Solar power for homes is increasing in popularity and decreasing in price. Many homeowners are discovering the advantages of Solar Power and you may have even seen quite a few solar panel systems being installed in your own neighborhood. You’re probably wondering: How much do solar panels […]
Do you feel like your family home is currently not operating in an energy efficient way? These days, it’s an issue that more and more people care about, and that can only be a good thing. There are many changes you can make that’ll get your home functioning in a more efficient way sooner rather […]
If there’s one thing every business in Australia is concerned about, it’s the need to save energy. While reasons for setting this goal may vary from sustainability concerns to decreasing operating costs, there’s one very effective way of achieving this goal – investing in solar panel systems. But are commercial solar panels powerful enough to meet all your energy needs?
Is it Possible to Power a Business Through Commercial Solar Panels?
Obviously, there is no easy way to answer this question, as it depends on a wide range of variables, but the answer is yes – it is theoretically possible to supply an entire business with solar power through solar panel systems to meet all their energy needs. Here are some factors to consider to see if going solar is a possibility for your business:
How much energy does your operation require? Energy requirements vary significantly between industries and businesses. For example, manufacturing plants require a vast amount of energy in daily operation while the requirements of small businesses are at the other end of the scale. It’s important to have an energy audit from a specialist in commercial solar panel systems to determine if your needs can be fully or partially met by solar power.
Space requirements: Although solar panel systems are becoming more compact and more efficient every year, they still require a lot of space for installation. Roof space is usually the preferred choice for solar panels, so your evaluation needs to include an idea of exactly how many panels you can fit in the space. Sometimes, businesses choose to introduce new roofing space simply to accommodate these panels, for example, by roofing over open parking lots to provide additional square meters of installation space.
Cost: The cost of solar panel systems has dropped dramatically in the last decade, while the efficiency of the technology has risen to new heights, helping organisations in all sectors to meet their goals to save energy. However, the reality is that commercial solar panels and their supporting systems are still a significant investment that needs to be carefully evaluated. In Australia, there are several ways to manage this cost, each with their different benefits. Some organisations choose an upfront purchase, others choose a solar power purchase agreement (PPA), a rent-to-own operating lease or energy efficiency loans from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. There are also additional rebates and incentives available to commercial and industrial solar panel system projects in different states to help make this move more affordable.
Speak to a Professional Solar Panel Systems Provider
Quality Energy has been helping organisations across Australia improve their power quality, manage their energy costs, save energy and access sustainable power solutions for over 30 years. We work on projects large and small, and our clients include organisations from all sectors, including Qantas, the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Rialto.
If you would like to find out how commercial solar panels can benefit your organisation by meeting part or all of your energy needs, please contact us today and speak to our qualified and experienced engineering team.