installation manual

Thank you for purchasing Solbian products. Created with innovative technologies and high-quality components, Solbian solar panels will provide you with energy in the most difficult environmental conditions and with the versatility required for the most diverse applications. In order to take full advantage of their characteristics and to keep them in good condition, please read the following instructions carefully.

This manual does not constitute a warranty, implicit or explicit. Solbian accepts no liability for damage resulting from the installation, operation or maintenance of its solar panels. Solbian reserves the right to change its products, technical specifications and installation manual without prior notice.

The following instructions must be read carefully and thoroughly understood before installing, connecting, and using Solbian panels. Contact with electrical components, such as terminals, can result in burns or electrical shocks even if the panel is not yet connected. A solar panel produces electricity as soon as it is exposed to the sun or a light source. Although the electrical values of a single Solbian panel do not constitute a health hazard, connecting several panels in series or parallel increases their voltage and current respectively. 

The recommended maximum number of panels in series configuration is limited to a total system voltage of 600V

The recommended maximum number of panels in parallel configuration is limited to a total system current of 60A.

A solar system consisting of several panels can therefore generate voltages and currents that can be harmful to health and result in death.

Solbian will not, however, be liable for any accidents or personal injury, including electric shocks, caused by misuse or improper installation.

This manual contains important safety information that must be read carefully and understood before installing and using Solbian solar panels and their accessories.

Keep the purchase receipt and original packaging for the warranty period of the product.

• Under real operating conditions, a photovoltaic module may generate currents and/or voltages higher than those measured under Standard Test Conditions (STC). Consequently, the rated Isc and Voc values must be multiplied by a safety factor of 1.25 to properly size component voltage ratings, cable current capacity, and control devices.

During the design phase, this multiplier can be modified: the adjustment for voltage-related components is based on the site's minimum temperature and the temperature coefficient of Voc. For current capacity, the parameter related to Isc can be recalculated based on the maximum irradiance incident on the panel. Further guidelines for adopting a coefficient other than 1.25 are provided in the IEC 62548 standard.

• Do not use solar panels of different types on the same system.

• Always check the compatibility of the charge controller (if purchased externally) with Solbian products.

• Do not modify the electrical connections of the panels. In particular, do not open or remove the sealed junction box that connects the internal structure of the panel with the external electrical connections.

• Do not drill or cut the panel, as this may result in the exposure of live components and/or damage to the panel.

• Do not subject the electrical cables coming out of the panel to excessive stress or bending.

• Do not expose the solar panel to direct light when installing the system, or take this into account, as the solar panel generates current when exposed to light and therefore its terminals are live.

• Maintenance, installation and removal of the solar panel must always be carried out on dry surfaces.

• Only use tools with an insulating handle.

• Do not use solar panels in the presence of explosive or flammable mixtures.

• Keep the solar panels inside the packaging until they are installed.

• Ensure that the position of the solar panel does not pose a mechanical or electrical risk.

• Do not use damaged solar panels (during transport, installation or during use).

• Do not apply any protective coating or paint to the panel. Contact the manufacturer for information about cleaning or protecting Solbian panels.

A panel containing damaged cells or even a panel in good condition in which only one cell, or a few cells, are completely shaded (Fig. 6) can generate a HOT SPOT, i.e. very high local heating can occur, up to the point of producing melting of the protective materials of the cells with emission of smoke and reaching temperatures of over 200 degrees on small portions of the panel.

• Do not bend the solar panel with a curvature radius of less than one metre, as the solar cells could be permanently damaged.

• Solbian panels cannot withstand mechanical loads such as snow or strong wind. Depending on the type of installation, the strength of the structure on which the panels will be installed must therefore be considered. The structure must not be exposed to continuous stresses. Improper use of Solbian panels can cause irreversible damage to the system, compromising its efficiency and use.

• The installation area must be chosen in such a way as to maximise the sun exposure of the panel and avoid excessive shading. Remember that even partial shadows on the panel can substantially decrease energy production. Do not place objects on the panel when it is exposed to the sun (Fig. 6). As far as installation site conditions are concerned, no maximum altitude limits apply for the correct operation of the panel.

• The position of the Solbian panels must allow adequate air circulation on the surface exposed to sunlight in order to lower the temperature and to ensure a better performance.

• The panels expand under the effect of heat; please take this into account when installing. In the event that several panels are placed side by side, whatever the method of mechanical installation, a minimum spacing must be respected to allow adequate thermal expansion. A space of at least 4 mm must be left between the two panels.

Solbian panels can be supplied with metal installation eyelets. In this case, the panels are secured by means of ropes, clamps, etc., to rigid supports to ensure their support and resistance to weathering. Similarly, the panels can be supplied with LOXX buttons, special steel clips that allow easy installation and removal of the panels. LOXX can be used for installation on rigid surfaces or on fabrics, such as boat awnings or tents and tensile structures. Using this installation procedure, contact between the panel and an underlying hard surface is not ensured, so the panels cannot be stepped on.

If adhesives are used, care must be taken not to create thickness irregularities underneath the panel. In any case, for the installation to be walkable, the double-sided adhesive tape supplied by Solbian must be used. Before a non-removable installation, such as one obtained with adhesive or glue, it is suggested to verify the functioning of the panel by checking that the electrical values (Voc and Isc) are in line with those indicated on the technical data sheet. This can be done with a common multimeter capable of measuring currents up to 10A and exposing the panel to the sun.

To ensure maximum effectiveness and long-term adhesion durability, it is essential to verify the compatibility of the installation surface with the double-sided tape used.

Please refer to the following classification before proceeding with the application:

In the SM (surface mounting) solution, the two cables exiting the back of the panel represent the electrical contacts and are therefore live when the panel is exposed to light.

Although the voltage is low, avoid creating short circuits resulting in sparks and overheating.

While strong, cables can deteriorate from repeated bending, so once the panel is installed and the electrical connection is made, use cable ties or other means to hold the cables in place at the panel output.

A solar panel generates a significant current, up to 10 A in full sunlight, so the connections between the cables coming out of the panel and the rest of the electrical installation must be made in a professional manner, to avoid resistive overheating.

The SM solution can be made walkable, but the application must necessarily be carried out with the double-sided adhesive provided by Solbian, taking care to apply the panel to a smooth surface. The recommended application procedure, as shown in the video, is described below.

It is not essential to use sealant on the edges of the panels and in the joints between them. If for aesthetic reasons, or for other reasons, you want to do this, please use appropriate sealants. However, these must have good adhesion to the Solbian panel materials and remain elastic over time. Sikaflex Sikasil WS 605 S can be used as an example. An aesthetic alternative to sealing the joints is to colour the space between the panels.

Each solar panel acts as a direct current generator (a battery) and is therefore provided with a positive contact and a negative contact.

The solar panel generally cannot directly control a charge due to the intermittency of current production, which depends on the light received by the panel. The common use is therefore to charge a battery which then provides the electrical energy for use. A battery can only be charged directly from a solar panel if the voltage of the panel is dimensioned exactly for the chosen battery (e.g. 14 volts for a 12V lead-acid battery). However, this solution presents various problems such as the possibility of the battery overcharging and inefficient management of the energy produced. Charge controllers are therefore used to optimise the process. Solbian specifically suggests the use of sophisticated charge controllers, with MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) algorithms to obtain the maximum possible energy from the solar panel in all conditions. The size of the electrical cables must be sufficient to limit the voltage drop. In outdoor environments, always use cables for the solar industry or specific for outdoor UV application, resistant to exposure to the sun and weather. The cable size increases in proportion to the length of the cables, the following table shows some indicative examples.

The panel can be equipped with 1 or more bypass diodes. The operating ranges of these diodes comply with the temperature ranges and electrical parameters specific to the Solbian panel. 

Due to the absence of moving mechanical parts, maintenance of solar panels is very limited. Below are some important precautions.

• Keep the panels clean. Wash the system with freshwater, especially in the marine environment, in order to avoid damage due to the presence of salt.

• The surface of the panels can be cleaned with neutral soap and water, scrubbing with caution and without abrasive substances. Alcohol can also be used to remove grease or the like.

• Periodically check the structural integrity of the panel and its installation including electrical connections.

• Check the efficiency of the system by means of the signalling systems (displays or LEDs) integrated into the charge controllers.

Solbian panels are covered by a warranty on manufacturing defects and on the power generated. The following is an excerpt from the full warranty conditions, which are the only ones that apply, and which are published on www.solbian.eu.

Solbian is a member of the PV CYCLE consortium for the take-back and disposal of damaged or end-of-life solar panels. Please consider Solbian panels as electrical equipment and therefore destined for separate recycling. If disposal is required, please contact our sales offices.