[RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other?
Jeff Clearwater
jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com
Thu Sep 10 14:12:07 EDT 2020
I'm loving my first install of Sol Arks - One downside of Sol-Ark (and I
can't find many!) is that the GEN terminal can only handle 1 of the
following 3: Generator, AC Coupling, or Smart Load. So if you want both
a generator and AC coupling you have to either do a separate transfer
switch for the GEN and not run it through the inverters - or you have to
go with their internal DC MPPTif you do want the GEN to charge the
batteries (unless you are off-grid totally and have no Grid in which
case you might be able to run the Generator into Grid? not sure about
that - don't quote me!).
Anyone else with any downsides?
Best,
Jeff
Jason Szumlanski wrote on 9/10/20 4:44 AM:
> There is a huge distinction in a hybrid inverter that integrates MPPT
> charge control. Eliminating all of the extraneous hardware and circuit
> protection associated with charge controllers is very appealing. The
> 500V input limit is also a game-changer in terms of wire size. I'm
> very interested in this approach.
>
> On the flip size, an AC Coupled approach is also appealing in a lot of
> circumstances. Since Sol-Ark supports that, too, it's hard to find
> downsides other than their infancy in the industry.
>
> And for what it's worth, my experience with SMA tech support recently
> has been abysmal. Long hold times and getting bounced around departments.
>
> Jason Szumlanski
>
> *
>
> *
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 9, 2020 at 9:50 PM Mark Frye <markf at berkeleysolar.com
> <mailto:markf at berkeleysolar.com>> wrote:
>
> The most important thing here is that no one is standing up to
> sing the praises of either SMA or Outback.
>
> I myself have sent about 2 hours on hold over 2 days trying to get
> an issue addressed by SMA.
>
> Re: Sol-Arc I would pay a lot extra or take some not so good
> aspect in exchange for good technical support.
>
> On 9/9/2020 1:12 PM, Jason Szumlanski wrote:
>> Any tips on combining AC output from these units when stacking
>> several of them? What bus/OCPD system are you using? Same
>> question for generator/grid input.
>>
>> The solar MPPT inputs appear to be dead simple.
>>
>> Jason Szumlanski
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *
>>
>> *
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 8, 2020 at 10:45 PM MiJo Nels
>> <spaceshipnelson1 at gmail.com <mailto:spaceshipnelson1 at gmail.com>>
>> wrote:
>>
>> we've found SolArk to be SOLID!! .. And yes 8 inv yield about
>> 96kW, with a TON of surge capabilities..
>>
>> Joe Nelson
>>
>> Project Manager C-46/C-10
>> Sustainable Energy Group Inc., A California Corporation
>>
>> CSL# 868816
>> www.SustainableEnergyGroup.com
>> <https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/8f0e320b52948f22a9ae9682bd3b5e9dc8d6c68f?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.SustainableEnergyGroup.com&userId=1613865&signature=e7d246f94af9a065>
>> 530-273-4422 (Office)
>>
>> 530-217-8385 (Cell)
>>
>> 
>>
>>    
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> *From:* RE-wrenches
>> <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>> on behalf
>> of pgiroux at mindspring.com <mailto:pgiroux at mindspring.com>
>> <pgiroux at mindspring.com <mailto:pgiroux at mindspring.com>>
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 8, 2020 1:24:03 PM
>> *To:* 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
>> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or
>> other?
>>
>> I also suggest the Sol-Ark 12’s. Extremely efficient, simple
>> to program, does a wonderful job in either ac coupling, stand
>> alone or pure off grid and terrific customer support.
>>
>> Peter Giroux
>>
>> ASAE
>>
>> *From:*RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>> *On
>> Behalf Of *Bryan Norkunas
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 8, 2020 1:50 PM
>> *To:* 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
>> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or
>> other?
>>
>> Sol-Arks would be possible, you can link 8 inverters.
>>
>> *Bryan *
>>
>> *PV-Cables*
>>
>> *From:*RE-wrenches
>> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf
>> Of *Chris Schaefer
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 8, 2020 10:40 AM
>> *To:* RE-wrenches
>> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or
>> other?
>>
>> I'd suggest giving the crew at Sol-Ark a quick call @
>> 972-575-8875 with their 12kw unit. Not sure what their max
>> number of inverters are.
>>
>> Christopher
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 8, 2020 at 1:14 PM Kienan Maxfield
>> <maxfieldsolar at hotmail.com
>> <mailto:maxfieldsolar at hotmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>> Hey all, I'm designing a microgrid sized off-grid system
>> for somebody, and I'm just wondering if anyone knows of
>> any issues with the following designs...
>>
>> The client says he needs 70 kW. His load data looks
>> pretty solid, so I'm sticking to using that number as a
>> minimum, at least during the initial proposal stage. I
>> only know of two possible equipment options for this size
>> range...
>>
>> 1. I think I can use up to 10 Outback Radians, for up to
>> an 80 kW system. Are there any bugs or problems with
>> using this many inverters on one hub? I know I've
>> read about issues with selling to the grid, but
>> that's not an issue, this is off-grid.
>> 2. I know that the SMA cluster box with sunny islands
>> can allow for up to a 72 kW system. Do you know of
>> any bugs or problems with this system?
>>
>> Are there any other options that anyone would suggest?
>> Schneider's website says they can only do up to 61 kW,
>> and Victron can only do up to 60 kW.
>>
>> I know that the Outback system would yield a 240/120
>> Split-Phase system and that the SMA would yield a 208/120
>> 3Ø system, but this doesn't really matter either way for
>> this job.
>>
>> Thanks so much,
>>
>> Kienan
>>
>> *Maxfield Solar*
>>
>> *maxfieldsolar at hotmail.com*
>> <mailto:maxfieldsolar at hotmail.com>
>>
>> *(801) 631-5584 (Cell)***
>>
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--
~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeff Clearwater
Village Power Design
linkedin <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-clearwater-0622a312/>
www.villagepowerdesign.com <http://www.villagepowerdesign.com>
cell - 413-559-9763
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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