[RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?

Thu Nov 1 03:48:55 PDT 2012

What happens in the case of removing a module permanently for whatever
reason? Is there a coupler to splice the home run wire, or do you have to
install a j-box?

Either way, I can see how leaving  little slack in the home run wiring
could be a good idea.

Jason

On Wed, Oct 31, 2012 at 6:37 PM, Exeltech <exeltech at yahoo.com> 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<http://mc/compose?to=exeltech@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<http://mc/compose?to=kirk@vtsolar.com>
> >* wrote:
>
>
> From: Kirk Herander <kirk at vtsolar.com<http://mc/compose?to=kirk@vtsolar.com>
> >
>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org<http://mc/compose?to=re-wrenches@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<http://mc/compose?to=re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org>[mailto:
> re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org<http://mc/compose?to=re-wrenches-bounces@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<http://mc/compose?to=dkatz@aeesolar.com>
> >* wrote:
>
>
> From: David Katz <dkatz at aeesolar.com<http://mc/compose?to=dkatz@aeesolar.com>
> >
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org<http://mc/compose?to=re-wrenches@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<http://mc/compose?to=exeltech@yahoo.com>
> >
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org<http://mc/compose?to=re-wrenches@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<http://mc/compose?to=ntrei@1scom.net>
> >* wrote:
>
>
> From: Solarguy <ntrei at 1scom.net <http://mc/compose?to=ntrei@1scom.net>>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?
> To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org<http://mc/compose?to=re-wrenches@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 <http://mc/compose?to=ntrei@1scom.net>
>
> 817.917.0527
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org<http://mc/compose?to=re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org>
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]<http://mc/compose?to=[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@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<http://mc/compose?to=re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org>
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]<http://mc/compose?to=[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@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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