[RE-wrenches] Efficiency Curves of Fronius Inverters?

Thu Jul 9 17:45:30 PDT 2009

Like this? (see attachment) I had this problem with a 4000 recently.  
Fronius shipped a replacement inverter.

On Jul 9, 2009, at 10:18 AM, Peter Parrish wrote:

> I have a decidedly skeptical opinion of the Fronius MPP algorithm. A  
> few years ago, I was one of the first (I believe) to notice a  
> curious “continuous saw tooth ramping” of the DC current and voltage  
> on a couple of Fronius IG4000’s. The problem (I was told by Fronius)  
> was triggered by an increasing Vdc crossing 240 V (the “line  
> voltage”). The problem was fixed by a SW upgrade. Ignoring the fact  
> that 240 Vac is not a fixed value, the standard Fronius IG inverter  
> line may have a generic challenge when Vmp is in the 240 V range.  
> Was this the case?
>
> - Peter
>
> <image003.gif>Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
> California Solar Engineering, Inc.
> 820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
> CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26
> peter.parrish at calsolareng.com
> Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885
>
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> ] On Behalf Of Bill Brooks
> Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 4:20 PM
> To: 'RE-wrenches'
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Efficiency Curves of Fronius Inverters?
>
> Mark and Jeff,
>
> To be clear, manufacturers do not supply the data. It is required to  
> be tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).  
> Mark’s message could be misconstrued as the data being something  
> Fronius cooked up.
>
> On another note. Anyone notice Fronius inverters having trouble  
> finding max power? Of the 10 Fronius inverters I have looked at in  
> the past 2 weeks, 4 were operating at a voltage well above max power  
> and losing about 10% of the available array power.
>
> Bill.
>
>
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> ] On Behalf Of Mark Frye
> Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 3:43 PM
> To: 'RE-wrenches'
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Efficiency Curves of Fronius Inverters?
>
> Jeff,
>
> Here is what they submitted to the California Energy Commision:
>
> http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/inverter_tests/summaries/Fronius%20IG%204000.pdf
>
>
> Mark Frye
> Berkeley Solar Electric Systems
> 303 Redbud Way
> Nevada City,  CA 95959
> (530) 401-8024
> www.berkeleysolar.com
>
>
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> ] On Behalf Of Jeff Clearwater, Village Power Design
> Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 3:35 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Efficiency Curves of Fronius Inverters?
>
> Hey Folks,
>
> Anyone have or know where I can get my hands on the efficiency vs.  
> wattage curve for the Fronius IG series (the old series - not the  
> Plus).
>
> I have a 4000 in stock and wondering if I can apply it to a friend's  
> 2660 watt system without losing much to efficiency at low power  
> levels.
>
> Best,
>
> Jeff
>
>
>
> There are numerous options here:  most ground mount manu's offer  
> ballasted systems, I would look to them 1st. Other systems I've seen  
> or used - 1) Pour a continuous surface "footer" that is large enough  
> in size to provide the proper ballast for the uplift in your area,  
> pour one along the S. edge/legs and another along the back/north  
> legs. 2) Tie all legs together via a horiz. rail at least 6' wide  
> and embed this in a rock filled gabion, again of the required  
> weight. 3) Limestone is easy to drill, useing a hammer drill and  
> extension bit drill 11/16" - 3/4" holes at least 18" into the stone  
> at an angle, vary all angles as viewed in plan as they relate to the  
> N/S line of the array (not as they relate to level), to mitgate pull- 
> out from them all being in a line. i.e. - 1st leg hole is 90 degrees  
> to the N/S line, 2nd leg is 180 from this, 3rd is 45 and so on, in  
> other words if looking in plan and you could see all holes they  
> would radiate around the "face of a clock" with each leg hole on a  
> different "hour". Finally, epoxy in 5/8" all thread, you can pre- 
> bend the end to come out of the hole verticle or use a swivel  
> connector from Uni-strut, B-line or equal.
> All of these suggestions should be run by a Structural Engineer  
> before embarking, thus the 1st choice of working with a manu.
>
>
> Good luck!
> -jeff o
>
> >From the Solar, Wind and Hydro powered office of Jeff Oldham/ 
> Regenerative SOLutions
>
>
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> -- 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Jeff Clearwater
> Senior Design Engineer
> NABCEP (tm) Certified Solar PV Installer
> http://www.nabcep.org/
> Village Power Design/NorthEast Solar Design
> Turnkey Solar Design & Installation for the Commercial Sector
> http://www.villagepower.com
> gosolar at villagepower.com
>
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