Operations and Maintenance Solar Power System Operation Akeena Solar personnel will take care of the initial startup and commissioning of your solar electric system. We will provide you with copies of all the paperwork we file on your behalf, along with the system test parameters used for our warranty. During normal use the solar energy system will operate totally automatically.                    Solar Power Module Care Solar power modules used by Akeena are guaranteed for 25 years. The only maintenance they may require is a semi-annual washing if you are in a dusty location. For regular dust accumulations you can simply hose the modules off. If there are significant accumulations of tree sap or bird droppings you may need to use a sponge or squeegee with a mild soap and water solution. You should keep leaves, branches and other debris off the top of the modules, and keep debris from accumulating under the modules. This accumulation could reduce cooling airflow under the modules, and could cause water to back up in a severe rainstorm. Although the tempered glass surface of the modules is quite durable, they will break if you walk on them. Any crack in a tempered glass solar energy module usually requires replacement of the entire module. Inverter Care The best thing you can do for your inverter is to keep it cool and clean. Don't let plants or debris accumulate around the inverter. Brush debris out of the heat sink or fan screen annually. If direct sun hits the inverter heat sink on a hot day it may cause the inverter to derate slightly (by designing the system so that the inverter derates slightly on a few hot days we are able to collect more energy during the rest of the year). Installing a sun shade sometimes reduces this derating, although one must be careful not to restrict airflow around the inverter. As long as the green light is illuminated during the day and you are getting approximately the output indicated on our original commissioning, the system is operating properly. Reading your Time Of Use Meter 01 indicates the date (mmddyy) 02 indicates the time (military) 04 indicates total net usage in KWH 05 indicates total peak usage in KWH 888 88888 is meaningless to us mere mortals 99 indicates the present rate of net electrical use or generation (depending on arrow direction) When the arrow points to the left, you are making more electricity than you are using and the meter is going backwards (hooray). When the arrow points to the right you are consuming power. The meter is usually installed with both counters set at 50,000. "A" means the meter is counting at the peak period (peak is M-F noon to 6 pm). "C" means the meter is counting at off-peak time. Utility Problems In general we have found that the local utilities are quite cooperative in helping our customers get authorization to run their solar energy system. However, besides the normal bureaucratic delays, we have seen cases in which customers were accidentally double-billed for their net metering equipment. In addition, we have heard of situations in which the new meter was not properly calibrated to operate backwards. Installation Paperwork Akeena staff will take care of preparing the necessary state rebate and utility paperwork so that you can get your incentives and activate your system. We will send you complete copies of all paperwork that we file. Your Akeena representative will contact you to arrange for signatures and payments, and will gather all necessary supporting documents. 2005 CA Solar Energy System Credit Tax Form 3508 Your 2005 California Tax Credit is basically calculated by multiplying your *after rebate* net cost of the system by 7.5%. Please note that these instructions are not a substitute for qualified tax accountant advice. A guide to federal tax incentives is available on the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) website at: http://www.seia.org/manualdownload.php Call Akeena Solar if you have any questions whatsoever regarding the use or operation of your solar power system.