About LCP Solar
What We Do
LCP Solar, in accordance with legislation, is a registered electrical contractor.
We make no secret of the fact that LCP Solar does not install “cheap and nasty” and off-the-shelf solutions. We undertake a proper analysis of our client’s requirements and design bespoke systems to their needs.
Our design considerations and installations are according to or exceed national standards.
Installation workmanship is warranted for 5 years – that says a lot.
Our Values
To cultivate a sustainable and profitable renewable energy business all the while providing growth for our employees.
- We will offer the most compelling value in the renewable energy industry
- Our offerings will be driven by solid professional assessments and advice.
- By using the best tools and equipment our customers will rest assured that we care about their investment.
- Aim to exceed industry standards thereby ensuring that reliability and safety of systems are paramount.
- To develop our employees to be proud of their work and focus on service and quality.
- LCP Solar is to be known as an Authority on PV systems
- Being an authority means that we will consistently develop our Knowledge and Competency.
- The outcome of our knowledge and competency is that we will be Efficient and Dependable
- With efficiency and dependability comes Growth and Success
- Successful people have a high level of Accountability, Responsibility and Self Respect
- Finally, the continuing theme in our group means that we will not promote, allow or tolerate unprofessional, dishonest or unethical behaviour from either our management, staff, clients, suppliers or subcontractors.
-
- Certification
- We have a SAPVIA driven PC GreenCard certified installer
- We have a AREP (Association of Renewable Energy Practitioners) level 2 – P4 Platform installer.
- Ongoing training in all aspects of photovoltaics such as backup systems, battery technologies and lightning risk assessments and protection
- Licenced electrician
- Registered electrical contractor
- Certification
-
- Registered Business
- Business is driven by Lyndsay Cotton BSc(Qs) who has more than 30 years’ experience in Civil, Commercial and Residential Construction projects, developments and Electrical Installations and;
Andri Pretorius – professional roof truss designer. - Contractors all-risk insurance
- Professional Indemnity insurance
- Logistics – Large fleet of LDV’s, medium duty and heavy duty vehicles in companies within the group.
- Trained staff with the ability to ramp up resources at short notice
- Internal IT department to program, maintain, support and fault-find systems
- Business is driven by Lyndsay Cotton BSc(Qs) who has more than 30 years’ experience in Civil, Commercial and Residential Construction projects, developments and Electrical Installations and;
- Equipment
- Top range test equipment such as HT Italia 3-phase power quality analysers, photovoltaic compliance testers, PV I-V curve maintenance testers, Fluke AC and DC compliance testers, clamp meters etc…
- Quality Installations with special focus on;
- Installing leading industry equipment only, coupled with meaningful warranties
- Ensuring compliance with SANS 10142-1 and SANS 10142-1-2
- Working knowledge of NERSA and NRS standards and regulations.
- Quality system focussing on best installation practices, cabling, connections, line diagrams and safety of installations.
- Customer support
- Ongoing customer support
- Systems advice and maintenance
- Registered Business
LCP Solar, in accordance with legislation, is a registered electrical contractor.
GET A QUOTE
PV Green Card Installer – SAPVIA
The PV GreenCard has been developed to promote safe and high-quality Solar PV installations.
BSc (QS) 1992
Obtained BSc (QS) in 1992 from The University of Pretoria and Diploma in Project Management in 1995
AREP PQRS P4 Quality platform
AREP PQRS P4 is geared towards the growth and development of the PV sector into South Africa and Africa.
Additional Qualifications
Additional Qualifications acquired by Lyndsay Cotton
Lightning Protection Practitioners
The Lightning Protection Practitioners Association.
An overview of International and South African standards and guidelines for PV installations.
Maximum Inverter size
SAPVIA-PV Green card Sample
Tshwane: SSEG Application
Standard – NRS 097-2-1: 2010 Part 2
CSIR – A Guideline for cost-efficient procurement of photovoltaic assets: 2014
Standard – NRS 097-2-3: 2014 Part 3
SANS 10142-1 : The wiring of premise
SANS 10142-1-2 : The wiring of premise part 1-2 (draft)
NRS Documents
Earthing and bonding cables
- Earthing and bonding cables shall have a minimum cross-sectional area of 6mm2
- Where positive and negative live conductors exceed 6mm2, the earthing and bonding conductors shall have a minimum cross-sectional size conductor. equal to the positive and negative live conductors.
This means – PV cables are 4mm2, 6mm2, 10mm2 or thicker. One may not install earthing conductors less than 6mm2; Installations with 1.5mm2, 2.5mm2 or 4mm2 earthing conductors are illegal.
PV Array system
The voltage rating of the PV array system shall be the maximum open-circuit array voltage at the lowest operating temperature.
This means – let’s say a charge controller has a maximum input voltage of 450 volts and a PV module is say 50 volts. This voltage is listed at STC which is 25°C voltage increase as it gets colder.
Thus, installing 9 PV modules @ 50 volts which is equal to 450 volts would not be good practice.
Verification and Testing
Every user or lessor of an EGI shall have a valid CoC for every such installation. A CoC shall only be valid when it is accompanied by a test report in the format as specified in this document and SANS 10142-1.
This means – That, apart from the specific requirements in SANS 10142-1, when you install a PV system you are required BY LAW to obtain a NEW CoC for the part of the Installation affected by the changes.
Efficient East-West Orientated PV Systems with one MPP Tracker
ABSTRACT: A willingness to install east-west orientated photovoltaic (PV) systems has lacked in the past. Nowadays, however, interest in installing PV systems on east-west roofs is steadily increasing. Although south orientated systems are better, east-west orientated PV systems can also generate substantial earnings. Moreover, due to the sharp drop in module prices, increased demand for east-west systems are expected for the future. From the perspective of grid operators, east-west orientated PV systems are preferable to south orientated ones, as the energy is fed in more evenly throughout the day, therefore reducing power peaks thus relieving the grid. Up to now, it was assumed that east-west orientated PV systems require separate inverters for each orientation, or at least one inverter with multiple MPP Trackers (Maximum PowerPoint), to avoid mismatching losses. This paper will show an analysis of east-west orientated PV systems connected to one MPP Tracker and demonstrate the high performance of such systems.
T’s&C’s