[RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?

Wed Oct 31 19:35:34 PDT 2012

...Just to chime in, I installed the Exeltech/NB ACPV modules on a residence in January.  It was super easy.  They went in fast, with no GEC needed from the roof.  Piercing connectors worked well clamping to the trunk cable.  No conduit required.  Irradiance sensor is standard, with temp sensed from the Heliosentry box.  The modules seem to be performing well, although the system isn't connected to the internet, and I am not sure how the monitoring works when it is.  (That is something I'd like to know more about before installing another system.)  

Blessings,
Kelly Larson

On Oct 31, 2012, at 3:37 PM, Exeltech wrote:

> Jason,
> 
> You're describing our "Home Run" cable and the connectors for the
> AC Modules.
> 
> Replacements are easy.  The inverter base stays on the PV.  The
> cable is a part of that base.  You don't need to disconnect anything.
> 
> Just remove four screws from the inverter (the "lid" of the enclosure
> is actually the inverter heat sink), remove it (there's a five pin mating
> connector inside the inverter .. the female half on the inverter, the
> male half in the base) .. remove the inverter .. pop the new one in,
> and replace the four screws.
> 
> That's it.  No wiring to mess with.
> 
> 
> Dan
> 
> 
> --- On Wed, 10/31/12, Jason Szumlanski <jason at fafcosolar.com> wrote:
> 
> From: Jason Szumlanski <jason at fafcosolar.com>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2012, 5:27 PM
> 
> One of the nice features I saw at SPI is the "trunk cable" which is a standard cable to which you attach piercing taps that come attached on a drop from each AC module's inverter. I like not having to worry about connector spacing. I'm not sure how you handle replacements or removals, but I'm sure that's been addressed. I haven't used these modules yet, but I can see the benefits in the cable strategy.
> 
> Jason Szumlanski 
> Fafco Solar
> 
> On Wed, Oct 31, 2012 at 3:30 PM, Exeltech <exeltech at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hello Kirk,
> 
> Our PVAC Modules are certified to UL and other applicable Standards on:
> 
> Helios PV, Milwaukee, Wisc  ( http://www.heliossolarworks.com/ )
> PV made in Milwaukee  + our AC Module inverters made in Fort Worth
> yields a 100% "Made in America" product.
> 
> 
> NB Solar (made by "Sun Earth Solar"), China
> In the PV business for 44 years.
> ( http://www.nbsolar.com/ )
> 
> 
> Top Sun (Korea)
> Vertically integrated PV manufacturer of ingots, wafers, cells, and PV modules.
> ( http://www.topsun.kr/english/main/main.htm )
> 
> 
> Distributed by Solarbine, with offices/warehouse facilities in Pennsylvania,
> Texas, and Southern California.
> ( http://www.solarbine.net/ )
> 
> 
> More PV manufacturers are working their way through in UL certification at this
> time, but non-disclosure agreements won't allow discussion yet.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dan Lepinski, Senior Engineer
> Exeltech Solar
> 
> 
> 
> --- On Wed, 10/31/12, Kirk Herander <kirk at vtsolar.com> wrote:
> 
> From: Kirk Herander <kirk at vtsolar.com>
> 
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2012, 1:53 PM
> 
> 
> Dan,
> 
>  
> What panel OEM’s are using your AC modules?
> 
>  
> Kirk Herander
> 
> VT Solar, LLC
> 
> dba Vermont Solar Engineering
> 
> NABCEPTM Certified Inaugural Certificant
> 
> NYSERDA-eligible Installer
> 
> VT RE Incentive Program Partner
> 
> 802.863.1202
> 
>  
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Exeltech
> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 12:05 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> 
>  
> Hello David,
> 
> Our inverters are a *true* AC Module, not just a micro-inverter that's been
> attached to the PV frame or other structure.  They replace the junction box
> on PV, and must be installed by a PV manufacturer, distributor, or OEM
> that are certified to the appropriate UL Standards for that process.  Our
> AC Modules are not designed for field/site installation to PV.
> 
> The advantages to this: We're exempt from DC-side ground-fault and
> arc-fault because all DC conductors are internal to our inverter, and are
> all less than 80Vdc.
> 
> Being mounted directly to the PV eliminates the j-box, diodes, high-voltage
> DC conductors, and expensive DC connectors and their associated hassles.
> This also reduces the product cost and decreases the system installation
> time.  You're also assured of a perfect match of our inverter to the PV.
> 
> For notes - our AC Module inverters are made in Fort Worth, Texas.
> 
> 
> 
> Dan Lepinski, Senior Engineer
> Exeltech Solar
> 
> --- On Wed, 10/31/12, David Katz <dkatz at aeesolar.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> From: David Katz <dkatz at aeesolar.com>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2012, 10:39 AM
> 
> Dan Lapinski,
> Does Exeltech make a microinverter that can be site-installed?  
> David Katz
> 
> Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!
> 
> 
> ----- Reply message -----
> From: "Exeltech" <exeltech at yahoo.com>
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012 7:26 am
> 
>  
> I'd like to correct an error in Jim's statement below related to how we
> at Exeltech handle warranty.
> 
> If an AC Module inverter should fail, the entire module does not need to
> be sent back for warranty -- just the inverter itself.  In our case, this
> involves removing four small screws to separate the inverter from the
> base.  The "lid" (or top of the enclosure) is the heat sink of the inverter.
> The base stays attached to the PV.  There's no wiring involved.  It's all
> internal, and you don't have to do anything except remove the old
> inverter from the base and plug in the new one.
> 
> Once you access the back of the PV, total time to effect the swap
> is typically about 1 minute.
> 
> 
> 
> Dan Lepinski, Senior Engineer
> Exeltech Solar
> 
> 
> --- On Wed, 10/31/12, Solarguy <ntrei at 1scom.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> From: Solarguy <ntrei at 1scom.net>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2012, 9:05 AM
> 
> Another question to consider when it comes to ACPV warranty replacement is, do you have to send the entire module back for repair if there’s a warranty claim on the inverter. Solar Bridge & Exeltech both say yes. All things equal, Solar Bridge still has DC apparatus exposed but not Exeltech. It would be nice to just be able to drill out the pop rivets and unplug the SB unit & return for repair.
> 
> And yes, I’m kinda biased toward Exeltech but they have been building inverters for 20+ years.
> 
>  
> Jim Duncan
> 
> North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
> 
> www.ntrei.com
> 
> NABCEP PV 031310-57
> 
> TECL-27398
> 
> ntrei at 1scom.net
> 
> 817.917.0527
> 
>  
>  
>  
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Dorsett
> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 12:14 AM
> To: 'RE-wrenches'
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> 
>  
> Kirk, the BenQ modules use SolarBridge inverters. One of the questions to ask with ACPV is who backs the warranty on the inverter. According to SolarBridge’s website, the module manufacturer warranty’s the combination. This is fine as long as the mfg stays afloat but in this time with such major players as Sharp and BP backing out, who do you turn to if your inverter has a problem? As Bill said Exeltech is in this too, and warranty’s their own, so is one step less removed.
> 
>  
> One of the things we’ve gathered is that Enphase, with an installed base of something over a million, is having some problems with its first version, 190. Is that a problem inherent in the components chosen in its design or something as simple as insufficient potting? It is fairly low percentage,  but it also hasn’t been 25 years. And how does that balance with the installed base of any of the other microinverter/ACPV manufacturers?
> 
>  
> It seems that the temperature at which micros are required to live is the main advantage of remote string inverters. They can be down in the shade with free air moving around them.  On the other end of that trend are the ACPV which might have very little room between them and the module backing. There might be several practical actions like mounting the modules with the inverter on the down side so the air flow is cooler (a little like putting the pump or fan on the cool input side of a thermal collector), or spacing the array higher off the roof to allow more air flow.
> 
>  
> I do agree with Bill that this is the direction the industry is heading and very quickly.
> 
>  
> Bill Dorsett
> 
> Sunwrights
> 
> Manhattan, KS
> 
>  
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bill Loesch
> Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 11:43 AM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> 
>  
> 
> Hi Nik,
> 
> As of SPI 2012, Solar Bridge advertized seven module manufacturers using their product.
> 
> Remember Exeltech, manufacturer of exemplary sine wave inverters, is also a player in this ACPV market, undoubtedly other players, too.
> 
> IMHO, ACPV is the route that the industry will _eventually_ follow.
> 
> Bill Loesch
> Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar
> 314 631 1094
> On 30-Oct-12 10:13 AM, Nik Ponzio wrote:
> 
> I have a prospective customer requesting AC modules for a commercial job. What is currently available? 
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> Nik
> 
> 
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