[RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark AC Coupling Issues

[Jeff Clearwater]

Yes what Jay said - need a block diagram with available power flows on 
this one.  If you've been working with Sol-Ark you probably covered the 
basics but just for the rest of us to be assured:

I assume:

1)  you are using the Radian only as an AC Grid-Tie inverter - no 
batteries on it?
2) that you are aware that the AC Coupled wattage plus the DC wattage on 
the Sol-Ark's MPPTs must be within the total allowed for solar generation
3) that you have the AC Coupled output of the Radian connected to the 
GEN breaker of the Sol-Ark
4) that you have the software set for the GEN breaker to be AC Coupled 
and have checked all other software items with Sol-Ark needed for AC 
coupling

just as a starting base for us to understand what may be happening.

And some of the techs at Sol-Ark are in training - have you talked to 
the tech lead,  Dustin Douglas?  He's the official Sol-Ark rep on this 
list but I just saw him at InterSolar and he said he has been just too 
busy to chime in here much.  I'm scheduled to speak with him soon - I'll 
see if he can find the time if he hasn't already talked to you.


Best,

Jeff


> Vince McClellan <mailto:vince at solarenergydesign.com>
> January 19, 2022 at 3:15 PM
> Is anyone on the list familiar with AC coupling Sol-Ark inverters?
> We haven't been able to AC couple an existing Outback Radian system to 
> a new system that we built with 3, Sol-Ark 12K inverters and 3, Blue 
> Ion batteries. Each time we have tested the system the Sol-Ark 
> inverters accept the power from the Radian inverter until we turn on 
> the DC power from the new solar array to the Sol-Ark inverters. As 
> soon as there is significant DC power coming from the solar array the 
> Sol-Ark inverters freq-watt turns on for a brief second and 
> disconnects the Radian inverter even when the Blue Ion batteries are 
> below the programmed state of charge threshold. If we don't turn on 
> the DC power from the new solar array the Radian will connect and stay 
> connected.
>
> We have been working with Sol-Ark for several months now to get this 
> system to accept the incoming power from the Radian without freq-watt 
> kicking in on the Sol-Ark inverters and disconnecting the Radian 
> inverter. Sol-Ark has sent two software revisions to the Sol-Ark 
> inverters and we are still experiencing the same problem.
>
> Can anyone think of what we might be missing and where to direct our 
> troubleshooting efforts next?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Vince McClellan
> Energy Design
> NABCEP PV Installation Professional
> p. (541) 485-8122 <tel:%28541%29%20485-8122>  f. (541) 338-8202 
> <tel:%28541%29%20338-8202>
>
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