[RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested

[Ken Schaal]

When net metering became available in Va. in 2006, we wanted to upgrade and enlarge a Y2K battery backup system using the Trace Power Panel
and Kohler 8.5 RMY generator. So we became one of the first on the East Coast, judging from serial number, to use the XW6048.
A couple of the early units needed control board replacement last year, under warrantee and reimbursed, but no issues other than that, after about a dozen systems. We typically do a 3-3.5 KW array on a single CC, ansd single 6048, and use the Midnite E-Panel, with 4 8A8D Deka AGM's.
Performance runs about 16-18 KWH's per day peak, with output in Va. conditions,  of 10-12 KWH/ d , 1 yr + annual average. 
It's what I used on my own house. Rarely need generator backup. 
I have the Midnite Classic CC on my system, and I'm pleased with that also.

Just ordered another system from Sunwize yesterday.

Ken Schaal
CommonWealth Solar, LLC
Ashland Va.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Glenn Burt 
  To: Allan at positiveenergysolar.com ; 'RE-wrenches' 
  Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 9:55 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested


  I have experience with the SI/SB designs, and can warn you that they typically need a boatload of additional switchgear to support a good robust design. That being said they work great together, handle battery charging like no other and we rarely get calls on them.

   

  I have seen the XW system, and although have no firsthand experience with it, was walked through one by another trusted wrench, and his experience with both systems may have swayed me - almost all the wall of additional switchgear has been incorporated into the XW.

   

  My next GTWB system will be an XW system.

   

  YMMV,

   

  Glenn

   

  From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar
  Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 10:39 AM
  To: RE-wrenches
  Subject: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested

   

  Wrenches,
  We have worked with Outback Radian and Schneider XW once or twice each for grid-tie with backup, and with Sunny Boy/Sunny Island numerous times. The SMA is certainly the most sophisticated equipment, but also the most expensive. 

  For a particular job coming up, the loads are not excessive, and the array will be 8kW. The main hitch is that the array will be located on a barn roof that is about 500' from the BOS and home.

  I suspect that running high-voltage DC from the array to a Sunny Boy, and then feeding a pair of Sunny Islands makes the most sense. My question is this: does it make any sense to consider running two high-voltage subarrays 500' to two Schneider XW-MPPT-80 600V charge controllers, feeding two XW inverters (in order to handle the full 8kW) in a DC-coupled approach? 

  Is there ever a situation in which this would be a better solution than SMA?

  Thank you, as always,
  Allan

  -- 
  Allan Sindelar
  Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
  NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
  NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
  New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
  Founder and Chief Technology Officer
  Positive Energy, Inc.
  3209 Richards Lane (note new address)
  Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
  505 424-1112
  www.positiveenergysolar.com 

   

   



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