<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div><span>Now that Enphase has chosen to use Amphenol H4 connectors, does mean that none of the Enphase inverters are, technically, listed to be connected to modules with MC4 connectors (basically any module)?</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>It seems like Multi-Contact is more interested in keeping their product proprietary, so they can mark it way up, rather than serving its customers. </span>It is very irresponsible of these companies to put installers in this position.</div><div><br></div><div>Jeffrey Quackenbush</div><div>NABCEP-certified PV Installer</div><div>Peripatetic Solar Technician</div><div><br></div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; "> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; "> <div
dir="ltr"> <font size="2" face="Arial"> <hr size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">From:</span></b> Brian Teitelbaum <bteitelbaum@aeesolar.com><br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> <br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, March 6, 2012 6:49 PM<br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [RE-wrenches] SMK Connectors<br> </font> </div> <br>
<div id="yiv473997871"><style><!--
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--></style><div><div class="yiv473997871WordSection1"><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Mark,</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">They connect fine with MC4, but of course, neither SMK nor MC will say so in writing. None of the current PV cable connectors are “Listed” to be used with a different brand. In fact, Multi-Contact is adamant that their connectors can’t be used with any of the MC4 knock-offs.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);
font-family: sans-serif; ">I understand that there is a multi-company working group trying to come up with a set of standards like there is for AC plugs and receptacles. I have no idea how long it will take to get something adopted though.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Brian Teitelbaum</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">AEE Solar</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div
class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; "> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Mark Dickson<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 06, 2012 3:23 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'RE-wrenches'<br><b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] SMK Connectors</span></div></div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: sans-serif; ">Hello, </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: sans-serif; ">Just now ordering our
first modules that have SMK connectors--anyone know if these will mate with either MC4 or Tyco? Frustrating. . .</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; ">Best regards,</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; ">Mark Dickson,</span><span style="color:navy;"></span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: ArialMT; ">NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ™</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; ">Oasis
Montana Inc.</span></div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><hr size="2" width="100%" align="center"></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; "> <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Steve Jefferson<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 06, 2012 3:58 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a
rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:glenn.burt@glbcc.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:glenn.burt@glbcc.com">glenn.burt@glbcc.com</a>; RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-Tied, PV by AC or DC</span></div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">When the Grid shuts off, the SI sends a signal to the SB’s to go into what is called “Back-up Mode” (this is a parameter change in the SB).</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">When there are no loads and the Batt are full, the SI will ramp the Frequency up, thus forcing the power from the SB to drop down to close to zero watts, the SB never
disconnects fully.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">As soon as there is a load, the frequency drops, SB output raises and provides power to the protected loads.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">The changing of the parameter in the SB, opens the window of the frequency to allow for this feature.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">It will work with other brand inverters but, they would need to be in off-grid mode all the time (which is out of the standard UL settings). If not in off-grid mode, other inverters will go into the 5 minute
waiting period before trying to reconnect, then if the Hz is not back within the UL range, it will wait another 5 min.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Thanks </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">SMA America, LLC</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Steve Jefferson</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Sr.
Technical Service Specialist, Sunny Family</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "></span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">6020 West Oaks Blvd, Suite 300</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">U.S.A.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Tel: +1 916 625 0870</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Fax: +1 916 624-2445</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:
10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Service Line +1 877 697 6283 (Toll Free)</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Email: <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:steve.jefferson@sma-america.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:steve.jefferson@sma-america.com">steve.jefferson@sma-america.com</a></span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.sma-america.com/">www.SMA-America.com</a></span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC
confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or any attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copies of this email and any attachments thereto. Thank you.</span></div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; "> <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank"
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Glenn Burt<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, March 05, 2012 6:18 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'RE-wrenches'<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-Tied, PV by AC or DC</span></div></div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">As I understand it, the SI to SB connection works slightly differently than described below, and this is borne out by my experience, and a lot of re-reading the SMA literature;</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif;
"> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Grid goes away – SI shifts to a voltage source for the SB</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">SI communicates with SB and tells it to operate in off-grid mode, widening its voltage window outside of the UL 1741 usual values</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Batteries full & no loads, SI shifts the frequency of its micro grid slightly and SB will eventually drop off line. This is why it also works with other manufacturers inverters because it does not rely on the SMA proprietary data comms to make this happen.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family:
sans-serif; ">SI continues to monitor its loads and the grid and during the night it will shift the freq of its micro grid slightly in the opposite direction to ‘make up’ for the period it used this to remove the SB, allowing things like clocks that use the 60Hz of the grid to regain time.</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">SI detects return of grid – communicates with SB and returns it to normal UL 1741 mode</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; ">Glenn Burt</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div><div><div
style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif; "> <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Larry Brown<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, March 04, 2012 11:13 AM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-Tied, PV by AC or DC</span></div></div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">Jay,</div><div><div
class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">We have installed a number of AC Coupled systems using Sunny Boys and Sunny Islands. One important consideration in this approach is to connect the inverters (Sunny Boys and Sunny Islands) together with a communication cable and Communication Cards and to upload new software into the Sunny Boys that let them know when the grid is down to operate in off grid mode. In this way when the grid is down the Sunny islands can limit the output of the Sunny Boys to meet the demand of the loads in the protected loads sub panel. Without the communication between the inverters, if the grid is down and the output of the Sunny Boys exceeds the demand of the loads in the protected load sub panel, then the Sunny Island will phase shift and the Sunny Boys will completely disconnect and then wait five minutes to try and connect again and will continue to do this until the output
of the Sunny Boys does not exceed the demand of the loads. So it is all or nothing without communication between the inverters. This would seem to hold true as well for Sunny Islands mixed with any other Grid Tied inverters that are not of the SMA family and can not effectively talk to each other.</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">Larry</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">Larry Brown</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">Sun Mountain</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">NABCEP Certified PV Installer</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div><div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">On Mar 4, 2012, at 10:25 AM, jay peltz wrote:</div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;"> </div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">HI Darryl,</div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">Is this a UL listed application for the Radian/Outback?</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">And in following this thread about AC coupled:</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">Given the higher efficiency of the batteryless inverter and fantastic MPP, vs the relatively high losses with the 600v xantrex or standard CC/inverter losses, I would use the AC couple technique.</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">Jay</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">peltz power</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">
</div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal"> </div></div><div><div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal">On Mar 3, 2012, at 8:06 AM, Darryl Thayer wrote:</div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;"> </div><div><div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; ">A few years back I made some year long measurements on an outback GVFX and a sunny boy for net energy to the grid I got only a few percentages not 10% I think one of the problems is the battery selection, these new batteries from Outback seem to have very low self discharge so very little energy should be expended to keep them charged. I am trying to close on a system where the distance from the solar array to the house is far, so I am planning to AC couple to a Radian to the grid, and I have been sucessful with AC coupleing on GVFXs and Outback
assures me it will workas well with theRradian. This install is very sensitive to LOL (loss of load) and has the generator ready to go, but for the short outages that he has it is a hassel. (he has worn out one generator all ready, it was a construction grade genny) </span></div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; ">I am hoping if this system is a go to consider a Xantrex 600 volt charge controller, but it depends upon the customer</span></div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; ">thanks for the patence </span></div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><span style="color: black;
font-family: sans-serif; ">Darryl</span></div></div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; "> </span></div></div><div><div><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; "> Drake <<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org">drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org</a>><br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches <<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 2, 2012 9:31 AM<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-Tied, PV by AC or DC</span><span
style="color:black;"></span></div></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><span style="color:black;"> </span></div><div id="yiv473997871"><div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;background:white;"><span style="color:black;">I think the AC coupled approach would be the best. For the 10KW system, a pair of Sunny Islands fed by Sunny Boys would make an efficient system. Since there is no generator, the system should be fairly straight forward. <br><br>At 02:06 AM 3/2/2012, you wrote:</span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.5pt;background:white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; ">i think mark was asking more about ac coupling to get away from the horrible inefficiencies of battery based, grid-tied inverters.<br><br> <br><br>as an experiment, i have been thinking about ac coupling one (or more) of my arrays on my
outback system to gain 10% over having the gvfx do the selling.<br><br> <br><br>stc to ptc usually costs about 20%, then losing another 10% in the inverter is a real performance hit. i advise customers about phantom loads and conservation, when actually the battery based inverter is itself the big lump under the carpet!<br><br> <br><br>todd<br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br>On Thursday, March 1, 2012 7:07pm, "Maverick Brown [Maverick Solar]" <<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:maverick@mavericksolar.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:maverick@mavericksolar.com">maverick@mavericksolar.com</a>> said:<br><br>My two cents:<br>"battery-based inverter w/ PV on the DC side via charge controllers"<br>Simply replace the GT inverter with a Xantrex 600V Charge Controller plus the 48V Grid Interactive Inverter of your choice and added battery bank, etc.<br>Until the market is saturated with unneeded GT
Inverters, you will be ok. ;-)<br>Try your best to provide enough battery for at least 24 hours of outage at 50% DOD. You may have add a Sub-Panel or Manual Transfer Switch.<br>Thanks<br>Maverick<br>Maverick Brown<br>BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® # 091209-26<br>President & CEO<br><b>Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc.<br></b>Billing: PO BOX 1229, Dripping Springs, TX 78620<br>Office: 512-919-4493<br>Fax: 512-607-6398<br>Cell: 512-460-9825<br>Corporate: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.mavericksolarenterprises.com/">http://www.mavericksolarenterprises.com/</a></span></div><div class="yiv473997871MsoNormal" style="background:white;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color:
black; font-family: sans-serif; "> <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org"> mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:toddcory@finestplanet.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:toddcory@finestplanet.com">toddcory@finestplanet.com</a><br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 01, 2012 5:46 PM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br><b>Cc:</b> 'RE-wrenches'<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-Tied, PV by AC or DC<br><br>excellent question mark... and one which has been on my mind as well, being most of my work is bbgt.<br><br> <br><br>todd<br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br>On Thursday,
March 1, 2012 11:37am, "Mark Frye" <<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:markf@berkeleysolar.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:markf@berkeleysolar.com">markf@berkeleysolar.com</a>> said:<br><br>Folks,<br><br>I have a residential grid-tied customer in a net metered utility with a favorable TOU rate.<br><br>They could use about 10 kW of PV to offset 100% of their usage.<br><br>But, they also complain about regular power outages in their neigborhood. They don't want a generator.<br><br>With reliable AC coupling now available, do we yet know which is the more advantagous architecture; grid-tied, battery-based inverter w/ PV on the DC side via charge controllers, or grid-tied, battery-based inverter w/ PV AC coupled via grid-tied, utility-based inverter?<br><br>Your thoughts? <br><br>Mark Frye <br>Berkeley Solar Electric Systems <br>303 Redbud Way <br>Nevada City, CA 95959 <br>(530) 401-8024 <br><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank"
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