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<font size=3>Colleagues:<br><br>
Interesting that this topic comes up at this time:<br><br>
1. We inherited a grid-tie project wherein an elderly client was sold an
SW installation some years ago. Come to find out, the installer
never filed anything with the utility. The client was caught
recently back-feeding without permission by a meter reader and told to
cease and desist. We filed an application with the utility thinking
this was a long shot since the client's SW inverter did not have the
requisite Grid-tie Interface (GTI). We have several GTIs sitting on
the shelf, but the inverter does not have the proper interface so one
could not be installed. Lo and behold, the utility approved this
installation for interconnection.<br><br>
2. We have an application to the local utility (PG&E) pending for a
three XW installation with a motor-generator. We have received
multiple communications from PG&E doubting the acceptability of the
XW system for use as a gird-tied battery-back up system. We are
hoping that PG&E accepts the listings from the various agencies and
approves the project.<br><br>
Interesting that the old, non-complaint system receives swift approval
but the latest and greatest gear hits a regulatory road block!
We'll keep you posted.<br><br>
William Miller<br><br>
<br>
At 04:56 PM 3/25/2009, you wrote:<br>
</font><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial" size=2 color="#0000FF">What
year are the SWs? they have had grid inter tie for years, if the
inverters were manufactured prior to I think 2001 then you do not need to
have the gti box installed. If the guys on a budget why spend
the extra $$$$? Its not the most efficient it certainly cheaper. <br>
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<dl>
<dd><font face="tahoma" size=2>-----Original Message-----<br>
<dd>From:</b> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" eudora="autourl">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>]
On Behalf Of </b>robert ellison<br>
<dd>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 25, 2009 9:39 AM<br>
<dd>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
<dd>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] Battery based grid tie question.<br><br>
</font>
<dd><font size=3>On a similar question to what works well together. I am
rebuilding the wind side of an old off grid system that the new owner has
brought the grid in. He wants to grid tie the system. Another dealer is
doing the solar side of things.<br>
<dd>My thoughts are the 48 volt SW inverters need to go, and replace them
with Outback 48 volt grid tie units and have the wind keep the battery
up. Am I correct that when the batteries are full from what ever source
the outbacks will grid connect and net meter any excess power to the
grid? Seems that I remember that they will but almost never get a call
for grid tie up here in the sticks so I figured I would ask the knowledge
base.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>I would suggest he keep the SW inverters to generator charge in case
of a long power outage as last I knew the Outbacks (FX) did not care for
generator power.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>I could probably research it but the list is faster and probably more
accurate that reading all the manuals with all my free time these
days!<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Needless to say the fellow in on a budrgt and the power company
brought the power into the main building not the power house. Can't make
things easy......<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Thanks,<br>
<dd>Bob<br><br>
<dd>2009/3/23 <<a href="mailto:I2P@aol.com">I2P@aol.com</a>><br>
</font>
<dd><font face="arial" size=2>Wrenches,<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>I have been doing some experimenting --testing compatibility between
brands of grid tie inverters and sign wave battery type inverters. I am
hoping some of you also have some experience here and we can
compare results.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>My interest is fueled by my belief that AC coupling is the ideal way
to increase system capacity for battery based off grid systems. The
primary benefit is higher system efficiency for AC loads used during the
day. I realize that power management becomes important but my interest
right now is just to find out who talks to who. My ultimate "power
management" tool will be an electric vehicle. Charging it will
undoubtedly suck up available juice.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>So far:<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>SMA synchronizes to Xantrex SW (have not tested the XW yet) and
Outback and of course the SMA Sunny Island<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Xantrex GT also syncs to the SW<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>I started this project with Enphase as my first choice since their
system is so scaleable. I have been unable to make Enphase sync. Marv at
Enphase has been very helpful but to date no results. I have, at
Marv's suggestion ,used capacitors to clean the somewhat hashy SW output
without results. Marv tells me he is testing Enphase and Outback. Does
anyone have experience syncing Enphase to other offgrid inverters?<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Any experiences with Fronius and others.? <br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Though the SW output is not the cleanest, the results with SB and GT
are very stable. They hookup early AM and its steady green light all day
long. Though I use microwave, start induction motors etc, and my scope
clearly shows lots of spikes during these events, the GT and SB hang
in.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>What are the experiences from others regarding mix and match?.
Interoperability among brands seems to be a very desirable goal to this
wrench.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Don Loweburg<br>
<dd>Offline Solar, Inc</font>
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