Hi Jeff, This isn't an answer to the questions below, but an alternate suggestion. Apollo Solar has a charge controller which allows for strings of up to 200 VOC (160 volts nominal) and I believe 100 amps. Would this not be a simpler, more efficient system? Just a thought... Daryl DeJoy NABCEP Certified PV installer Penobscot Solar Design
> I know this subject has come up before, but there have been several > different suggested ways to handle the problem and I was hoping for > easiest. We install lots of both on grid and off grid systems. However, > we have a client that will require a ground mounted array much futher away > from the inverter and batteries in the garage than we normally would want > to do since the voltage drop for this long distance would be excessive at > low voltage even with large cables. We have decided to locate a > weather-proof sunnyboy grid-tie inverter at the array, and supply 120/240 > volts to the critical loads sub-panel which is supplied by a Xanrex XW > inverter and battery bank in the garage. I realize there are several > design issues here when the grid is down, since we want the grid-tie > inverter to remain on but be blocked from the grid by the Xantrex > inverter. > > The question is, what is the best way to keep a load on the sunnyboy since > it will not be grid connected during an outage. Also, is there a best way > to feed the output from the Sunnyboy to the Xantrex that does not just > power the sub-panel loads during an outage, but also will re-charge the > battery bank through the Xanrex? > > If you back-feed the Xanrex from the sub-panel it is normally supplying > with output from the Sunnyboy, will the Xanrex see this input and think > the grid is up and be able to re-charge the battery bank? > > Will we need any separate transfer switches or power relays? > > Thanks, > > Jeff Yago > > _____________________________________________________________ > Netscape. Just the Net You Need. > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org