grid-tie inverters & generators [RE-wrenches]

[daryl_solar at yahoo.com]

I have tried something like this, not with SMA however.  to determine if  my experiance is relevent, what is the max load to be served?  Is this a critical curcits situatuion, or total load?    Are batteries to be part of the picture? 
Darryl


--- On Tue, 6/3/08, Kurt Albershardt <info at es-ee.com> wrote:

> From: Kurt Albershardt <info at es-ee.com>
> Subject: RE: grid-tie inverters & generators [RE-wrenches]
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 6:00 PM
> I am interested in what others have learned about grid tie
> and engine-generators.  Seems silly to idle all that
> expensive PV just because the utility has a bad day or
> three...
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --On Tuesday, June 03, 2008 4:56 PM -0400 Kirk Herander
> <kirk at vtsolar.com> wrote:
> 
> >
> > I have two larger PV systems with backup generators.
> Generators are 30kw and
> > 500kw respectively, holding up all loads (no critical
> load breakout). I was
> > told by SMA not to allow the inverters to see
> generator power in the event
> > of a grid power failure (but I am curious to
> understand synch if its
> > practical without frying the inverters)so here's
> what I did:
> >
> > 1) 10kw pv w/ 30 kw backup generator - tapped inverter
> output to utility
> > side of the generator ATS, knowing that ATS contactor
> was break-before-make
> > when switching house loads to generator power.
> > 2) 40kw pv w/ 500 kw backup generator - could not do
> 1) because switchgear
> > and inverters are located in different buildings /
> conduit logistics. But
> > this generator ATS has many SPDT relays which change
> state when generator
> > turns on - so we used one to drive the coil of a 480 /
> 277 three phase
> > contactor. This disconnects all inverters from the
> grid whenever the genny
> > starts, which is weekly for exercise at minimum.
> >
> > Kirk Herander
> > Vermont Solar Engineering
> > 802.863.1202
> > fax 802.863-7908
> > NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar PV Installer
> > Xantrex Certified Dealer Charter Member
> > NYSERDA-eligible installer
> > VT Solar Incentive Program Partner
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Carl Adams [mailto:swingjunkie at gmail.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:35 PM
> > To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> > Subject: Re: SMA inverters & generators
> [RE-wrenches]
> >
> > On a similar subject I will be installing a large grid
> tied array (15
> > kW) for an upcoming project.  The owner is also
> equipping the site
> > with a 45 kW backup generator.  In the event of the
> grid going down
> > will the SMA inverters be capable of synchronizing
> with the generator
> > (perhaps after adjusting the Hz, V, and time limits)
> as Jay suggests.
> >
> > Blair please post what you find out from SMA.
> >
> > Cheers
> > Carl
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> .
> 
> 
> - - - -
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
> 
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> 
> Archive of previous messages:
> http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read
> 
> List rules & how to change your email address:
> www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php
> 
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/
> 
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com


      


- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at re-wrenches.org

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------