Inverter Shoot-Out continues [RE-wrenches]

Thu Apr 1 20:37:00 PST 2004

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Bill,
45 watts 12 hours = ~16 kWh/month or about 1 PV module. Ten years ago when
PV systems cost 4X more than they do today, 1 PV module was a big deal. I
agree with everything you just wrote, but squeezing more kWh out of a PV
system is not what most end-users are willing to put out extra effort for.
Sort of like nursing 50 mph out of a Prius verses just driving it and being
satisfied with 40 to 46 mph. I think most customers want to (1) buy from a
reliable supplier; (2) have a hassle-free installation; (3) watch the meter
spin backwards; (4) brag a little; (5) smile a lot; (6) and vote obsolete
politicians out of office.
Best regards,
Joel Davidson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Brooks" <billb at endecon.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 9:00 AM
Subject: RE: Inverter Shoot-Out continues [RE-wrenches]

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Joel,

Although those values seem low, measuring the dc losses at the battery is
the wrong place to measure losses. Ultimately, the big losses are in having
the inverter running all night trying to put a tiny amount of current into a
full battery to keep it charged. It takes nearly nothing to float charge an
AGM VRLA battery, that's why they're used for float service. However, the SW
draws about 45-50 Watts continuous at night to maintain the slightest
current on the battery. If you have a dual inverter system, the situation is
far worse.

For larger arrays, the 45-50 Watts, although a bummer, is not a huge impact.
On my system it about 4% on an annual basis. If you have a much smaller
array (say 1 kW STC), those losses will be huge percentage-wise (nearly
20%). Turning the inverter off is the key. The question is how quickly you
can start in the event of an outage. I'm content with my dumb old system
that has worked great for 5.5 years, but there is plenty of room for
improvement.

Bill.

-----Original Message-----
From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:46 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: Inverter Shoot-Out continues [RE-wrenches]

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I've been seeing approx. 10 Wh/day net DC battery consumption or 300
Wh/month for years. I have been told that this must be wrong, but I think
that the Brand meter hooked up right. This is net as I am not measuring dc
in and out of the batteries separately. Anyone measuring in and out DC with
an SW in the Sell mode?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services" <toddcory at finestplanet.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: Inverter Shoot-Out continues [RE-wrenches]

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Does that include nighttime energy consumption floating the batteries?

Todd

Kirk Herander wrote:

> Joel,
>
> Your 84%  dc/ac efficiency is exactly what I recorded with a SW
net-metered
> system.
>
> Kirk
> Vermont Solar Engineering
> Kirk Herander
> North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
> Certified Solar PV Installer(TM)
> Xantrex Certified Dealer Charter Member
> NYSERDA-eligible installer
> Vermont Solar and Wind Partner

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