[RE-wrenches] More on AC coupling - SI and SB
Matt Tritt
solarone at charter.net
Wed Nov 26 16:30:39 PST 2008
Geoff,
SMA suggests using an OutBack Autoformer. Yes, I know it sounds weird to
suggest using a competitors product, but this is not the only weirdness
when using the 60 Hz SI system! They /also /suggest using the Flexware
DC breaker box, as there is really nothing they make that accomplishes
the same thing, at such a low cost. Low is subjective, I suppose.
I asked a pair of the SMA engineers from Germany about the possibility
of coming out with a 240 60 Hz version (pleaded is more like it) to help
the long suffering American AE sector, and the answer was just what has
been suggested by our Scottish bretheren: If the market is large enough
to warrant the UL listing procedure, and if the market will bear a
slightly higher price tag, they will do it. I would recommned that each
and every one of us that would like to have the option of somehting as
great as this system has to offer, PLEASE email, phone and write to SMA
Amerika (ho ho ho) to express your wishes. It can't hurt!
Matt T
Geoff Greenfield wrote:
> Matt-
>
>
>
> What is your prefered/recomended way to address the 240 VAC SB series
> (we typically dont want to use a bunch of 700s or 1800s) and the 120
> VAC SI series? We used a pair of Outback PSX-240s but that was extra
> work/cost. Other (larger) transformers? Torroid coil? Eaton? I'm
> surprised SMA doesnt have a nice interface worked out for the North
> American market...
>
>
>
> Also wrenches... if you go down this route, invest the time ahead of
> time on learning/preping for the set up etc for SI in this
> application. It is not out of the box ready to go, but involves a
> software upgrade, laptops and the right patch cord (an issue if you
> are 5 hours away...).
>
> For a brighter energy future,
>
> Geoff Greenfield
> Founder and CEO
> *Third Sun Solar & Wind Power Ltd.
> *340 West State Street, Unit 25
> Athens, OH 45701
>
> 740.597.3111 Fax 740.597.1548
> www.Third-Sun.com
>
> /Clean Energy - Expertly Installed
> /
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- "Tump" <tump at hughes.net> wrote:
> >
> Matt, I have long been interested in installing the SMA SI & SBs but I
> have a VERY tough time selling $9ks worth of inverters, just to get
> things started.
> In the system below I would not of hesitated in installing the SMA SI
> & SB! I too agree that w/this type of scenario described below, I
> would have given quite a bit of thought to using the SMAs. Can't beat
> the battery charging, no charge controllers & expandability.
> Please if there is someone out there that has had experience w/ the
> SMA SI & SB let us know if it is all that it is cracked up to be!
> With passport in hand, I offer my help if someone out there has a
> large system like this, that will be using the SI & SB/WB type of set up.
> TUMP
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of
> *Matt Tritt
> > *Sent:* Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:21 PM
> > *To:* RE-wrenches
> > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] More on AC coupling
> >
> I am curious as to why OutBacks were used for this system instead
> of using SunnyIslands and SunnyBoys? From what I can tell about
> the SI system, virtually no aspect of battery charging, auto
> gen-start/stop, and interactive inverter control has been
> overlooked - or remains to be engineered in the field by the
> installer. Because SunnyIslands have the ability to "talk" to
> Sunny (or Windy)Boys, excess energy is taken care of by
> "integrated load shedding" - no need for multiple relays, dumpoads
> and voltage sensors. :-) The only limitation to these systems (and
> only in 60 Hz land) is a maximum of 20 kW single, and 15 kW three
> phase per autonomous load. I really like the flexibility of being
> able to connect all AC inputs on the same line, as well as having
> the option to do direct battery charging from a DC source (as long
> as you use a shunt to measure current).
> > I know this doesn't answer your questions, but for similar
> applications in the future it would be good to take a close look
> at the SunnyIsland system. They're cool.
> > Matt T
> > Mark Dickson wrote:
>
> >
>
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> On the heels of the previous thread:
>
> We just got finished installing a system that utilizes an
> Outback Quad stack and a 5.2kW array coupled to the AC panel
> via a Fronius IG5100--due to a long home-run. The VFX's are
> wired into the home in their traditional manner, providing the
> "grid" for the Fronius. As the solar comes in, excess power
> not used in the home back feeds the batteries through the
> VFX's. I have a series of relays operating dump loads and
> finally a power cut-off for when the batteries reach critical
> level. We installed the system yesterday and turned it on for
> a test run (then back off to power it up in 2009 for the
> ITC's)--it worked great!
>
> I have a couple questions for you all:
>
> * Seems how we are back feeding the inverters and
> forfeiting their charge control, where would you set the
> dump loads to kick on?
> o For now I have them set at: 1^st load to kick on
> at float voltages, 2^nd to kick on at bulk
> voltages and 3^rd to kick the solar power off at
> the EQ voltages. Does this make sense? The bank
> is made up of Rolls 4ks-25ps batteries.
> * Following a recent discussion on the Wrenches list with
> a similar system: Do I need to worry about back feeding
> the generator if it is runnin in the morning when the
> sun comes up? Do I need a relay that will shut it down
> when solar comes on line?
> * I plan on setting the Absorb and Float set times to a
> miimum. Would you recommend this?
>
> Thanks for your input!
>
> Mark Dickson
>
> Oasis Montana Inc.
>
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