If you have a Sanden Eco heat pump hot water system that is working but you find you're running out of hot water before your Sanden commences it's daily start up - this is most likely because you have a block out time period not suitable for your hot water load consumption.

Rectification is to change the Bllockout timer setting on your Sanden Eco heat pump (condenser unit) to either of the below Scenarios:

Most likely your current BO Timer is set up with a 5 hour period (e.g. "1611"- 11am to 4pm) - change this to either:

Scenario 1: Amend your Blockout Timer with a longer time period e.g. 0211

Keep the 'start' time of your Blockout Timer the same e.g. 11am to maximise rooftop solar PV production and change the 'end' time to e.g. 2am the next  morning.

Your BO time on the control panel should read "0211" in this scenario.

Scenario 2: Disable the Blockout Timer 

Find you're still running out of hot water? Disable the blockout timer.

Change the 'start' time of the Blockout Timer to "00" and change the 'end' time of the Blockout Timer to "00"

Your BO time on the control panel should read "0000" in this scenario.

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Getting access to block out timer mode

Note:  After installation only 'maintenance mode' should be used for block out changes.  There is another procedure on page 16 of the installation manual related to the block out timer this only applies when the unit is first installed. 

To set the block out timer for your Sanden unit you will need to access the 'clock control unit' (shown below in blue), to do this you will need to remove the four screws at the side of the top cover panel on your outdoor unit (shown below), which has a 10 mm lip around the entire unit, to access.

Once you have access to the clock control unit you can set the block out (BO) timer by following the steps below, this will allow you to set your block out hours.  

1 - Hold down "UP" and "DOWN" together - gets you to "HSE" mode

2 - Press "UP" - gets you to outlet water temp setting mode

3 - Press "UP" - gets you to BO mode

4 - Press "ENTER" - gets you to EDIT BO mode (then enter the hours accordingly).

For more information consult page (17-22) of your Sanden installation manual which can be found here. 

Setting the hours you want to block out

The block out time functions using four digits first two digits = off, second two digits = on so:

To set the timer to run between 12 midday (AEST) and 6 pm set the blackout timer to 1812, which means off at 6 pm (18 in 24 hr clock terms) and on at 12 pm. 

To set the black out timer to run off-peak you might choose 0722 which means on at 10 pm (in 24 hr notation) and off at 7 am. Ensure that the off-peak tariff supplies a minimum of 5 hours continuous power to the Sanden HPHW.

If in doubt don't hesitate to contact us at  info@pure-electric.com.au and we can guide you through the process 

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For your solar PV monitoring - Fronius SnapINverter - you can utilise the "Night Mode" setting if you would like to observe your load data when the solar PV system is turned off overnight.

Go to the Fronius inverter and do the following:

+ Step 1: Push the Left/Right button until you see "SETUP" (the symbol looks like a spanner cross with a screwdriver) and press ENTER (physical button furthest to the right)

+ Step 2: Scroll down until you see, "Display Settings", press ENTER

+ Step 3: Scroll once down again to, "Night Mode", press ENTER

+ Step 4: Click the + or - buttons to switch the "Night Mode" setup parameter to "ON", press ENTER

And now you should see your overnight usage will be displayed in your Fronius Solar.web account.

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Firmware Changelog for the Fronius Primo 3.0-1-M - 8.2-1-M

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There are many benefits in installing a solar PV system including:

• Reduce or eliminate your power bill - you can regain control of your electricity costs. 
   
• A revenue generating asset - you make back many times the initial cost of the system over the lifetime of your solar PV system.
   
• Add value to your home - a solar system adds value to your home increasing the resale value. 
   
• Reduce your carbon footprint - a solar system generates no greenhouse gases while in operation giving you zero carbon power and lowing your overall carbon footprint. 

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Best Electricity Rates?

You have recently installed solar PV or the Tesla Powerwall battery storage or just generally looking to get the best electricity deal for your place?

Here are a couple of recommended tools so you can choose which electricity retailer suits you. We recommend doing this check once every 6 months.

If you're in Victoria - the Victorian Government Electricity Retailer Tariff Plan Comparison Tool - https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/. Enter your NMI and details, so long as you have a smart meter installed, the tool will look up your most recent 12 months of energy data and recommend the lowest priced electricity plan which accounts for your imported and exported energy as well as the import and export tariffs. 

If you're in SA, ACT, NSW, QLD, Tas - go to the Energy Made Easy website which is an Australian Government website maintained by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) - https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/

If you're in WA - this is a Regulated Retail energy market with the supplier being "Synergy" the State Government owned entity - you can view the latest Regulated Tariff price here - https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/energy-policy-wa/household-electricity-pricing

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If your house is single phase power, the amount of rooftop solar PV that you can install will depend  on your electricity network provider, as each electricity network provider has different rules.

In almost all instances, you can install more inverter capacity than what the electricity network provider says, so long as you grid export limit your solar PV system.  Note:  Not all inverters have grid export limit capability. 

Below is a table showing the allowed capacity (inverter capacity and your grid export limit), for each of the electricity network providers for single phase households:

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Solar rebates come in three forms:

1. Federal rebates:  i.e. Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC) which are available in all states. 
    
2. State based rebates:  Available in some states from time to time and may be means tested (you can email info@pure-electric.com.au for more details).
    
3. Feed in tariffs:  Different tariffs are offered by different retailers. 

Small-Scale Technology Certificate (STC) rebate

Currently, all solar systems are eligible for an STC rebate which is calculated using four factors.

Factor 1: The total size of your system in kW

i.e. you have a 10 kW of panels and an 8.2 kW inverter your system size is considered 10 kW

Factor 2:  The Zone you are in

Australia is divided into four solar zones. 

To find out which zone your postcode is in click this link. 

Factor 3: The STC multiplier based on the year in which you install your solar system

The STC multiplier is a factor worked out based on what year you install your solar system and is as follows:

Factor 4: The price of STCs

STCs can be priced through the Government's STC clearing house or on the open market at places like Green Energy Markets. 

As an example say that you are installing 10 kW of panels, in Zone 1 in 2020 and the current price of an STC is $35 your STC rebate would then be:

STC rebate =  10 x 1.622 x 11 x 35 = $6,244.70

This would appear as a $6,244.70 discount off the total cost of your solar system. 

State specific rebates and Feed in Tariffs (FiT)

If you want to find out the currently available up-front rebates or Feed in Tarrifs (i.e. the amount you are paid for feeding power back into the grid) you can always email us at info@pure-electric.com.au for more details.

The following is a list of state government entities that manage state based solar incentive schemes: 

• VIC - See the following website: https://www.solar.vic.gov.au
   
• SA -  See the following website: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment/energy-efficient-home-design/solar-photovoltaic-systems
   
• WA -  See the following website: https://www.energy.gov.au/rebates/electricity-feed-tariff-wa
   
• QLD - See the following website:  https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/energy-water-home/solar
   
• ACT - See the following website:  https://www.actsmart.act.gov.au/energy-saving/rebatessubsidies
   
• NSW - See the following website: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/households/solar-and-battery-power

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Need help setting up WiFi for your Fronius SnapINverter (Fronius Primo / Fronius Symo) to your Fronius Solar.web monitoring?

Have you recently changed your WiFi network's password, WiFi modem, internet service provider or shifted to NBN? If so, you will need to update your WiFi password settings otherwise you will not be able to view your Fronius solar PV system online in the Fronius Solar.web monitoring portal and might recieve an email to your registered Fronius Solar.web accounts reporting fault 996 - communicatoin error between inverter and Solar.web.

Below are steps for how to set up / change your WiFi details.

Step 1 - Activate WiFi Access Point

• Go the Fronius SnapINverter front screen, scroll until you see the "SETUP" sub menu - this will look like a spanner and a screwdriver and press ENTER (fourth button on the right)
• Scroll down to the second menu option, "WiFi Access Point", press ENTER (fourth button on the right)

Step 2 - Connect Fronius SnapINverter to your Smart Device (e.g. Tablet / Phone)

• Go to your Smart Device (e.g. Tablet / Phone) - click WiFi and look up and select the Fronius WiFi Access Point - this will look something like "FRONIUS_240.XXXX" so you can connect to the inverter
• Enter the Password: 12345678 and now your Smart Device should be connected to the Fronius inverter

Step 3 - Connect Fronius SnapINverter to your Home WiFi Network

• Open up a webpage on your browser and enter the IP address: 192.168.250.181
• Now the Fronius inverter page should show up. On the left hand side of the page you'll see various tabs. To change the WiFi settings go to the NETWORK tab.
• Go to WLAN Settings, select your WiFi network and click SET
• Enter your WiFi Home Network Password and press SAVE
• On the button below the list of WiFi Networks - Press CONFIGURE WLAN IP and check that it is set to Dynamic. If so Press Ok
• At the top press the TICK Button to Save

Step 4 - Check that the settings are saved

• Activate the WiFi Access Point and connect your inverter to the Smart Device (as per steps aboe)
• When you see the Fronius inverter settings screen - click "SYSTEM INFORMATION"
• Look for LED states and check that the  Globe symbol is GREEN

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Yes it certainly is. Each panel type typically gets a 25 year performance warranty and at least a 10 year manufacturing warranty, depending on the panel chosen. Jinko panels offer a 10 year manufacturing warranty, QCells panels 12 years, and SunPower panels offer a 25 year manufacturing warranty (parts and labour).

Check out your panel and inverter warranty sheets for more details!

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