[RE-wrenches] Favorite BIPV?

[Conrad Geyser]

Hi all,

Hoping that some of you may be interested in sharing your experiences with
different building integrated PV systems.

I have played around with various approaches over the years including some
fairly experimental ones.  *Not with customers!  *Currently on my radar for
off the shelf systems are Lumos(expensive) and Galaxy Roof systems(have yet
to see in the field).

Seems like we ought to have an affordable, ready to go BIPV market to turn
to when the need arises, but seemingly not yet?

best,

Conrad
Cotuit Solar


Conrad Geyser, Principal
Cotuit Solar LLC
508-428-8442

On Sun, Jul 24, 2016 at 9:03 AM, Conrad Geyser <conradg at cape.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Hoping that some of you may be interested in sharing your experiences with
> different building integrated PV systems.
>
> I have played around with various approaches over the years including some
> fairly experimental ones.  *Not with customers!  *Currently on my radar
> for off the shelf systems are Lumos(expensive) and Galaxy Roof systems(have
> yet to see in the field).
>
> Seems like we ought to have an affordable, ready to go BIPV market to turn
> to when the need arises, but seemingly not yet?
>
> best,
>
> Conrad
> Cotuit Solar
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 23, 2016 at 9:35 PM, Glenn Burt <glenn.burt at glbcc.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Jerry,
>>
>>
>>
>> It passes the initial power up tests fine, and fails at almost the same
>> time of day when it faults with a 4301 Electric Arc Detected. Not usually
>> the next day, often it will be fine for a week or so.
>>
>> According to the web box, the inverter has the latest available firmware.
>>
>> I am hoping it is a failure at a splice in a rooftop jbox (all are
>> exposed on the ridge).
>>
>> I went there last week, but the customer office manager decided she
>> wanted a written safety plan before she was comfortable letting me climb on
>> the roof, so I am cogitating on that.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for your thoughts.
>>
>> Glenn
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* Jerry Shafer [mailto:jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com]
>> *Sent:* Friday, July 22, 2016 11:05 PM
>> *To:* RE-wrenches; glenn.burt at glbcc.com
>> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
>>
>>
>>
>> Question, is it the first test where it is checking for noise in the
>> system or is it finding a fault once it is running. Does it have the latest
>> software update, which code do you have test failure or arc failt detected,
>> way different trouble shooting tracks yo follow. If it is a test fail try
>> to remove just the ground wire from the array, because its a metal roof its
>> a big antenna and hears something that is to much for the test to deal
>> with. If it fails due to an arc then there is most likely an arc at a
>> connection.
>>
>> Jerry
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jul 22, 2016 3:37 PM, "Glenn Burt" <glenn.burt at glbcc.com> wrote:
>>
>> August,
>>
>>
>>
>> I am currently chasing down unexplained AFCI faults with old SX 160
>> modules on a metal roof and having replaced two SMA SWR-2500U’s with a SB
>> 5000TL-US-22. So far I have been swapping input strings to see if there is
>> a pattern, however no joy.
>>
>> Next visit is up on the roof (steep pitch) to see if there is anything
>> obvious.
>>
>> I hate to simply disable the AFCI functionality without a serious effort,
>> however I am approaching that point.
>>
>> It is a T&M job for a system installed by others back in 2004, about an
>> hour trip 1 way and I am afraid the customer will soon believe I am
>> stringing out the work.
>>
>>
>>
>> Looking forward to hearing more of your experience as it develops!
>>
>>
>>
>> -Glenn
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
>> Behalf Of *August Goers
>> *Sent:* Friday, July 22, 2016 10:23 AM
>> *To:* RE-wrenches
>> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
>>
>>
>>
>> Glen,
>>
>>
>>
>> It’s interesting you mention that you’re having AFCI issues with new TL
>> inverters and old modules. We are too. We have a particular system with BP
>> modules where we’re trying to figure out if we have a warranty claim
>> situation. We’ve cleaned up all the DC-side wiring and still the Sunny Boy
>> is tripping with AFCI errors. We think it is either corroded traces in the
>> modules or perhaps bypass diode issues in the module j-boxes. More to come.
>>
>>
>>
>> August
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
>> Behalf Of *Glenn Burt
>> *Sent:* Friday, July 22, 2016 5:08 AM
>> *To:* RE-wrenches
>> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
>>
>>
>>
>> If you read some of the proposed changes for the 2017 NEC, it is looking
>> life there will be no problem replacing isolated inverters with
>> non-isolated versions. In fact the proposed wording seems to allow either
>> USE, or PV wire to be used with non-isolated inverters explicitly going
>> forward.
>> It made me feel better about doing recent replacements.
>> I'm having more trouble with the TL inverters and AFCI issues on older
>> systems, however.
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> *From: *Gary at Santa Ynez Valley Solar <Gary at SYVSolar.com>
>> *Sent: *‎7/‎21/‎2016 21:43
>> *To: *re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> *Subject: *[RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
>>
>> We are all facing having to replace the old transformer based inverters
>> when they run out. Really difficult to find replacements. Against code to
>> replace with transformer less ones. I wonder if a DC/DC transformer could
>> be installed just ahead of the transformer less inverter for isolation
>> purposes? Not clear on the concept.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Gary
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Gary Gordon
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    www.SYVSolar.com <http://www.syvsolar.com/>
>>
>>    PO Box 688
>>
>>    Santa Ynez, CA  93460
>>
>>    805 688-1213
>>
>>    NABCEP Certified Installer
>>
>>    CA Licensed Solar Contractor
>>
>>
>>
>>
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