[RE-wrenches] 40+KW off grid - Suggestions

[Jeff Oldham]

This is pretty large project to address here, but I've done several of these and can offer a few tips:

1) Check out Satcon, be sure to get a firm quote delivered, last I checked they wanted as much for the NRE as they did for the inverter and I refused to pay for their product R&D. With luck some sucker has already done this for you. Do not use a product from Australia.
2) I have used stacks of 10 Outback inverters, one per distribution circuit up to 36kW.
3) Look at the newer 2000-3000Ah battery packs, 2V cells
4) Avoid transformers, take into account the tare losses and calculate how much you will spend on PV and BOS to cover it. I've gone out to +350m at 240Vac and still saved a bundle on BOS over cabling and xfmr costs. Also inverters can have issue with large transformers.
5) Get paid for your design work on this, this is not the kind of time investment and work to be done under the guise of a bid or proposal.
6) Unless Satcon makes sense avoid 3 phase distribution. In addition to very limited inverter options you will likely be at 208V w/o xfmr's and it is a lower transmission V then 240V.
7) If the project or the client will be more headache then fun, pass on it!



>From the Solar, Wind and Hydro powered office of Jeff Oldham/Regenerative SOLutions

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