A young Nigerian man utilizing solar energy has drawn widespread attention after highlighting a recurring problem with his 1.5kVA solar inverter. He reported that the inverter stops working just two minutes after it begins charging, causing frustration and concern.
Man Shares Details of Solar Setup
The man, identified as Hiz Pedro on Facebook, shared a photo of his solar system and specified the product name to help others understand the issue. He explained that his setup includes a 1.5kVA Haisic inverter and two 630W solar panels connected in parallel, along with a 4kWh Haisic battery.
In his post, Pedro wrote: "Good evening engineers in the house, please this 1.5kVA Haisic inverter, 2 pcs of 630W panel, 4kWh Haisic installed. Panels connection parallel." He further described the exact behavior of the inverter: "Charging very well, but after like 2 minutes the inverter will start crying out, then stop and later start again. I don't know where the fault is. Please help me out."
Online Community Offers Solutions
The post quickly attracted responses from individuals who identified the likely cause of the problem. Many pointed out that connecting the panels in parallel could exceed the inverter's maximum input current, leading to the shutdown.
Arnold Adim commented: "Why would you do an installation without reading the nameplate of the inverter? The maximum Isc of this inverter is 17A. Connecting two 630W in parallel on a good day will exceed 17A. Always read. There is no standard connection. Connection would always depend on the inverter or charge controller you are using. So the right thing is to connect in series."
Kolawole Emmanuel added: "Go and change the panel connection to series before the inbuilt charger gets burnt." Kenneth Izu shared: "You are supposed to connect it in series because it is high in voltage than amps. That inverter normally has a 20A MPPT charger controller inside, and a 630W panel is about 14 amps per one. You went and connected it in parallel."
Mohammed Ojo advised: "Hiz Pedro, don't let anyone advise you wrongly. I did series-parallel connection with 3 panels on this particular inverter. That's why you must understand the design stage well before you even attempt to install. If you have any problem regarding this, you can DM."
Another user, Nweze, suggested: "18A Imax, 100V Vmax. Go for series connection. Your inverter will regulate the excess voltage generated and convert to amperage for charging. But also ensure the inverter is busy during a very sunny day. Use one panel for now. Lastly, you may go for 2 pcs of 550W."
Related Solar Energy Experiences
In a similar story, a Nigerian lady recently went viral after showcasing her solar device and panel installation at home. She expressed joy at finally enjoying electricity after months of heat and darkness, and she demonstrated how she connected the solar system to various appliances.
Another young Nigerian man shared his experience after purchasing a 1kVA solar generator and a solar panel one month ago. He bought the generator for about N360,000 and the panel for about N75,000. He reported that the system now provides steady power for a TV, fan, and other small home appliances.
These incidents highlight the growing interest in solar energy in Nigeria, as well as the importance of proper installation and understanding of technical specifications to avoid malfunctions.
