[RE-wrenches] BP HI / Namaka with Sol-ark inverters

Thu Jan 6 23:04:18 EST 2022

We just ordered a 3 Sol-Ark system with 16 Storz Power batteries I'll 
let you know this Spring once I have it up and running.  Yes they are 
closed loop will be UL9540 soon.

We have several Sol-Arks in the field - all working great - yes a few 
minor issues that have required software updates - but tech support is 
great and they push the updates for me.  I love the monitoring and 
ability to remote program every parameter.  Conversion efficiency in all 
modes is high (though slightly under what they claim but still great)

Surge is fine per leg with multiple inverters or a balancing 
transformer.  Gen support could use an upgrade  for sure but they are 
working on it.

The  Time-of -use  features and interface we love as you can really fine 
tune daily cycles - optimizing solar and battery and grid and generator 
inputs - Especially great for grid-tie with strong off-grid capability 
as opposed to most  lightweight GTTB systems.  In pure Off-grid I find 
them robust and reliable so far.

Enjoy!

Jeff Clearwater
Village Power Design

> Jason Szumlanski <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>
> January 6, 2022 at 5:52 PM
> Is anyone installing Storz? From what I understand, they have closed 
> loop comms with Sol-Ark and a very close working relationship between 
> manufacturers. I believe all customer support for Storz supplied 
> Sol-Arks goes through Storz. They have a special Sol-Ark firmware that 
> they maintain.
>
> Maybe users have a better experience with this collaboration.
>
> Jason Szumlanski
> Florida Solar Design Group
>
>
>
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> Mac Lewis <mailto:maclewis1 at gmail.com>
> January 6, 2022 at 5:09 PM
> Eric and Wrenches,
>
> We have come to the same conclusion.  Sol-Ark isn't ready for 
> prime-time off-grid.  Too many glitches...
>
> One serious off-grid disadvantage with Sol-Ark is idle consumption.  
> It really is much, much higher than older style inverters so it 
> needs to be factored into the load analysis.  The spec sheet is not 
> accurate.  The firmware is all over the place, many glitches and issues.
>
> I do admire that they are diving into the battery communication arena 
> but voltage control works quite well.  If a system can't effectively 
> keep power on, do we care if the charging algorithm  is slightly more 
> efficient?
>
> My big question, that I've never really understood is why is it so 
> hard to standardize battery communication?  Isn't CanBus, Modbus and 
> RS-485 a standard?  Doesn't that mean that it should be easy 
> and structured?  I must not really get it...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -- 
>
>
>
> Mac Lewis
>
> *
>
> "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
>
> *
>
>
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> Christopher Warfel <mailto:cwarfel at entech-engineering.com>
> January 6, 2022 at 11:59 AM
>
> Eric, Have you had the same issues with SolArk when multi-mode?  We 
> are getting ready to put one in.  Chris
>
> On 1/6/2022 1:25 PM, Eric Smiley wrote:
>
>
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> Eric Smiley <mailto:eric at vecoop.ca>
> January 6, 2022 at 10:25 AM
> Kirk
> We tried using SolArk for off- grid applications but stopped for 
> several reasons:
> - surge on single phase loads
> - too many firmware updates  (i.e. bugs in the firmware or new 
> features that are standard in other inverters)
> - too many service calls: false positive arc faults, AGS not working, 
> battery over charging,..
> - not modular. If one component has an error, it can take out the 
> whole system.
> - too reliant on an internet connection
> - hidden settings that aren't described in the manual - including one 
> that could only be accessed via the internet and left a customer 
> without AGS for several months until they hooked up their satellite 
> internet. We thought we were going to have to replace the inverter.
>
> We've gone back to equipment that does less and has a longer track 
> record; so we don't feel like we're beta testing equipment with our 
> clients and we know what the limitations are.
> Tech support has been great and the monitoring is quite good. It just 
> hasn't been reliable enough for full time offgrid.
>
> When we compare the service calls for our Magnum, Outback, Conext, 
> Trace (yes we still have two SW systems going strong) and SolArk 
> systems, the initial savings with SokArk disappear. I can't recall the 
> last time I had to repair/service a Magnum system unless it was user 
> error.
> Keep it simple!
>
> Eric Smiley
> Project Manager, North Island
>
> E: eric at vecoop.ca <mailto:eric at vecoop.ca>
> T:  1-888-386-0116 ext 702 (toll free)
> C:  250-703-6004
> W: viridianenergy.ca <http://viridianenergy.ca>
>
>
>
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> Jerry Shafer <mailto:jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com>
> January 6, 2022 at 9:28 AM
> Kirk
> You can also connect an outback through the NaMaka and the optics, 
> plus the Outback has better surge power then the SolArk, We use both 
> Solark and Outback coupled with the Blue Planet, 2.0 and now the 3.0, 
> Yes solark can do 3 phase including delta, has high voltage dual PV 
> input, Outback has one big benefit and that is surge along with being 
> modular from internals to charge controllers, all separate and 
> serviceable individually
>
>
>
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> Kirk Herander <mailto:kirkh at vermont.solar>
> January 5, 2022 at 6:44 AM
> Hi All,
>
> I am considering changing the inverters on several Blue ion HI LFP 
> storage systems I'm installing this Spring from Outback Radians to 
> Sol-Ark. I have no experience w/ Sol-Ark, but it seems more advanced 
> than the Radian. I'm wondering if Sol-Ark and the BI Namaka 
> gateway/monitor can directly interface as Namaka can with some 
> inverter brands. And I'd be interested in hearing of any experiences 
> you may have as to how nicely these different components play 
> together. Thanks.
>
> -- 
>
> *Kirk Herander / **kirkh at vermont.solar <mailto:kirkh at vermont.solar>*
>
> *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC*
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