Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

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In addition to internal corrosion, enclosures rust in salt air. A United 
Solar carport has been at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for over 10 
years. The installation is a few blocks from the ocean with buildings and 
streets in between, but the gray painted enclosures (disconnect switches and 
Omnion inverters) are rusted on the windward sides. At the Neutrogena 
factory near LAX, the gray painted enclosures are further from the ocean and 
in an underground parking structure, but they are also beginning to rust. I 
don't recall seeing rust on inverters and enclosures in Germany. Is rust a 
problem in your area?

The California incentive program requires a 10-year turnkey warranty. 
Customers expect their PV systems to shine like a new car (they cost about 
the same). PV systems are like other outdoor equipment (HVAC) and require 
regular inspection and maintenance. Are contractors sanding and touch-up 
painting inverter and enclosures?

Joel Davidson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Frye" <markf at berkeleysolar.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:34 AM
Subject: RE: Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]


>
> Joel,
>
> You ask a good question, which I cannot speak to.
>
> Remember however that when you use the term "SunnyBoy" you are
> simultaneously referring to a product line that has both passive and 
> active
> cooling products.  If by "SunnyBoy" you refer only to the passively cooled
> products, I think that they would have a clear advantage over other 
> actively
> cooled products in corrosive environments.  Frankly, I haven't looked at 
> the
> actively cooled SunnyBoys to see if the forced air runs directly over the
> electrics or over a heat sink that keeps the electronics sealed.  I'm sure
> others could comment on this.
>
> I am aware of a system in Arcata, Ca. (City Hall?) where they are running
> five or six different inverters side by side.  This would be pretty close 
> to
> a coast side installation, although the waves don't actually lap up 
> against
> the building; the coast is about a mile away.
>
> Most of my installation have been within the San Francisco Bay Area, but
> corrosion is a non-issue.
>
> Mark Frye
> Berkeley Solar Electric Systems
> 271 Vistamont Dr
> Grass Valley CA 95945
> (530) 401-8024
> www.berkeleysolar.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:54 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Hello Mark,
>
> I have heard good things about the Fronius, but how does the enclosure 
> hold
> up to corrosive coastal air as compared to the Sunny Boy?
>
> Joel Davidson
>
>
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> 


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