[RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other?

Mon Sep 14 15:03:51 EDT 2020

Sol Ark related:

– we often get requests for their batteries and there seems to be a shortage at the moment and stock will not be available until mid to late Nov.

Below a response we received this morning from Sol Ark:

Due to the shortage we are trying to make sure batteries are being used with Sol-Ark systems. 

This is the only reason we carry them. Not really a supply house for batteries.

We also only recommend our batteries for back-up mostly and not really for Time of Use.  

Also, battery pack should be over-sized if they are going to use it for Time of Use. 

Bryan Norkunas

bryan at pv-cables.com

Description: Description: PV-Cables_Logo_Transparent_Bkgnd_140x140

PV-Cables Inc. 

989 Milton Ave Ste 1D

Ferndale CA 95536

(707) 923-3000 office

www.pv-cables.com <http://www.pv-cables.com/> 

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From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2020 1:33 PM
To: Jeff Clearwater
Cc: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other?

Related question, Jeff... With the Sol-Ark, I an off-grid situation can you set it up to always use inveters to power loads. In other words, when the generator kicks in, only use the generator to charge batteries and do not bypass inveters to power loads directly from the generator. 

This is a request I get occasionally. People don't want to rely on the "dirty" generator power with sensitive electronics.

Jason

On Thu, Sep 10, 2020, 1:19 PM Jeff Clearwater <jeffc at villagelab.net> wrote:

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> 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> 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)

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From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of pgiroux at mindspring.com <pgiroux at mindspring.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 1:24:03 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches' <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> On Behalf Of Bryan Norkunas
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 1:50 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches' <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> 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 

 <mailto:maxfieldsolar at hotmail.com> maxfieldsolar at hotmail.com

(801) 631-5584 (Cell)

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