Manufacturer Q CELLS
Array Rating 5.5kW
PV Technology poly-Si
Array Structure Fixed: Ground Mount
Installed 2013

View on Map    Graphs    Download Data

Current Output

THE 3RD GENERATION OF Q CELLS SOLAR MODULES – WE’VE RAISED THE BAR ONCE MORE

With top performance, state-of-the-art technology, outstanding design and the most rigorous testing, the 3rd generation of Q CELLS modules are the result of top German engineering quality.

Versatility, reliability and proven performance are the hallmarks of the Q CELLS Q.PRO-G3 series which has been optimised across the board: improved yield, higher operating reliability and durability, and a more intelligent design. Q CELLS guarantees this by offering an extended 12-year product warranty and one of the best linear performance warranties on the market.

In addition to the Q CELLS Triple Yield Security with Anti-PID Technology, Hot Spot Protect and Tra.Q (100% traceable quality), Q CELLS Q.PRO-G3 modules now include the following features:

  • Maximum yields in any weather thanks to excellent temperature coefficient and low-light behaviour.Suitable for all wind regions across Australia as verified by cyclone testing at Cyclone Testing Station, James Cook University, QLD
  • Up to 50 % less light reflection which results in improved module efficient
  • Improved long-term corrosion resistance due to high quality »Sol-Gel roller coating« processing
  • Protection against short circuits and thermally induced power losses thanks to the semi-permeable membrane of the junction box which is also resistant to ammonia and salt water
  • More efficient connectors due to 15% less contact resistance

The above technology description has been supplied by the manufacturer. The Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre is pleased to provide a platform for information sharing while not endorsing specific claims made about technologies installed at the site.

Array Rating 5.5kW
Panel Rating 250W
Number Of Panels 22
Panel Type Q.PRO-G3
Array Area 37.1m²
Type Of Tracker N/A
Inverter Size / Type 6 kW, SMA SMC 6000A
Installation Completed Thu, 17 Oct 2013
Array Tilt/Azimuth Tilt = 20, Azi = 0 (Solar North)

Notes on the Data

  1. Metering failure

    Circuit breaker supplying the metering equipment for sites 23-38 tripped off on Aug 19th and was discovered and turned back on on Aug 23rd. This resulted in a lack of generation data for these sites during this time but did not stop the sites from physically generating.


    Thu, 19 Aug 2021

  2. Site 26: Inverter replacement

    Between 1.30 and 3.00pm on Wednesday, 8 May 2019, the SMA SMC 6000A inverter was replaced at the request of manufacturer Hanwha Q CELLS after some intermittency of generation was observed in previous months.


    Wed, 8 May 2019

  3. Site 26: Inverter Intermittency Issues

    Intermittent minor shut-offs from this inverter over recent weeks and unusually loud fan noises from the inverter suggests that fan issues may be causing overheating, so this array is being closely monitored and may require inverter replacement in the near future if problems persist or increase.

    The shut-off events also drew operator attention to a voltage setting that was unnecessarily low; this threshold has now been adjusted from the nominal 253 V limit to 260 V as approved by the network provider for the DKA Solar Centre, although historical voltage monitoring suggests that those limits have not been posing a constraint in recent months.


    Fri, 21 Sep 2018

  4. System Disconnection for Cabling Works

    All arrays at the Solar Centre were disconnected from approximately 2.00pm to 3.00pm on Monday, 9 July 2018 in preparation for the cable between the main switchboard and distribution board being upgraded. Array sites #23-38 remained disconnected while the main feeder cable to these sites was replaced in subsequent days, but all systems were re-connected by early afternoon on Thursday, 12 July 2018.


    Mon, 9 Jul 2018

  5. System Outage at Australia Day Long Weekend

    A breaker tripped at around 12.30pm on Friday, 26 January, likely due to high generation levels reached at this peak time on this high irradiance day. Connection was restored after the Australia Day long weekend at around 11.30am on Monday, 29 January but shortly tripped again.

    UPDATE 26-02-2018. The cause of this reoccurring issue has been identified and will be rectified. The solution requires the upgrading of a key distribution cable. This should be completed in the coming months.


    Fri, 26 Jan 2018

  6. Connection Restored After Christmas/NY Period

    Arrays have been re-connected following the outage that disconnected multiple sites from Christmas day 2017. The outage is believed to have been triggered by the tripping of two circuit breakers in separate distribution boards, making the diagnosis initially elusive. The ability of the common circuit shared by these arrays to keep abreast with increasingly high current demands as new arrays are installed and generation conditions are high is presently being addressed. For the same reason, intermittent outages persisted in the summer of early 2018.


    Fri, 19 Jan 2018

  7. System Outage at Christmas/NY Period

    A system outage was caused by a circuit breaker trip at approximately 2pm on a high generation day shortly after installation of a new array at the DKA Solar Centre. The outage commenced on 25 December continuing into the new year and is being addressed.


    Mon, 25 Dec 2017

  8. System Outage for New Array Connection

    Sites 23 through to 37 experienced an outage today from 11:10 to 11:50. The outage was due to the local distribution board being temporarily being taken offline to allow for the connection of a new PV system.  


    Wed, 20 Dec 2017

  9. Monitoring Interruption for UPS Battery Replacement

    The disconnection and re-connection of the solar arrays and weather station equipment while a new site connection was being established prompted the already flattening UPS batteries which power the site’s energy meters to fail and require immediate replacement. Data recording was affected from approximately 2.30pm ACST, Monday 10 July to 4.00pm, Wednesday 12 July.

    Affects weather data for DKASC, Alice Springs


    Wed, 12 Jul 2017

  10. Partial System Outage

    One of the major switchboards at the DKASC lost power yesterday 01/12/2016 at ~11:00 am. This isolated and shutdown array sites 23 through to 37 inclusive. The switchboard was re-energised at ~16:30 today (02/12/2016) and is again operating normally. Data for this period for these sites is lost.


    Fri, 2 Dec 2016

  11. Site 26: Temporary Outage

    At Site 26 the Polycrystalline Silicon QCells QProG3 was temporarily disconnected for maintenance and testing purposes. This system was off line for the majority of 2nd April and restored to full operation on the 3rd April.


    Thu, 3 Apr 2014



>  Answer to Spotlight Question

Onsite at the DKA Solar Centre in Alice Springs are a series of quiz-like Spotlight Questions at each array. Visit the centre and scan the QR code at each sign to test your knowledge – and check your answer here!

Q: What other company mergers and acquisitions have taken place in the world of solar?

A: There are many instances of mergers and acquisitions within the world of solar, especially given the recent and rapid development of the industry. Like in many scientifically progressive fields, a common observation is for independent R&D initiatives (such as university programs and government-funded research efforts) to lead to start-up or "seed" companies which may, as commercial viability is demonstrated, grow independently or be bought by larger solar players, electronics/technology companies or other investors. Interesting trends can be read along country lines, as most of these exchanges occur on the global market, and political factors may also exert an influence at national and international levels. For those interested to track the movements of the solar industry, it is suggested that stock market updates, press releases and articles from renewable energy or business publications are consulted for specific information.