Colleagues:
Interesting that this topic comes up at this time:
1. We inherited a grid-tie project wherein an elderly client was sold an SW
installation some years ago. Come to find out, the installer never filed
anything with the utility. The client was caught recently back-feeding
without permission by a meter reader and told to cease and desist. We
filed an application with the utility thinking this was a long shot since
the client's SW inverter did not have the requisite Grid-tie Interface
(GTI). We have several GTIs sitting on the shelf, but the inverter does
not have the proper interface so one could not be installed. Lo and
behold, the utility approved this installation for interconnection.
2. We have an application to the local utility (PG&E) pending for a three
XW installation with a motor-generator. We have received multiple
communications from PG&E doubting the acceptability of the XW system for
use as a gird-tied battery-back up system. We are hoping that PG&E accepts
the listings from the various agencies and approves the project.
Interesting that the old, non-complaint system receives swift approval but
the latest and greatest gear hits a regulatory road block! We'll keep you
posted.
William Miller
At 04:56 PM 3/25/2009, you wrote:
What year are the SWs? they have had grid inter tie for years, if the
inverters were manufactured prior to I think 2001 then you do not need to
have the gti box installed. If the guys on a budget why spend the extra
$$$$? Its not the most efficient it certainly cheaper.
-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of robert ellison
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 9:39 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Battery based grid tie question.
On a similar question to what works well together. I am rebuilding the
wind side of an old off grid system that the new owner has brought the
grid in. He wants to grid tie the system. Another dealer is doing the
solar side of things.
My thoughts are the 48 volt SW inverters need to go, and replace them with
Outback 48 volt grid tie units and have the wind keep the battery up. Am I
correct that when the batteries are full from what ever source the
outbacks will grid connect and net meter any excess power to the grid?
Seems that I remember that they will but almost never get a call for grid
tie up here in the sticks so I figured I would ask the knowledge base.
I would suggest he keep the SW inverters to generator charge in case of a
long power outage as last I knew the Outbacks (FX) did not care for
generator power.
I could probably research it but the list is faster and probably more
accurate that reading all the manuals with all my free time these days!
Needless to say the fellow in on a budrgt and the power company brought
the power into the main building not the power house. Can't make things
easy......
Thanks,
Bob
2009/3/23 <<mailto:i...@aol.com>i...@aol.com>
Wrenches,
I have been doing some experimenting --testing compatibility between
brands of grid tie inverters and sign wave battery type inverters. I am
hoping some of you also have some experience here and we can compare results.
My interest is fueled by my belief that AC coupling is the ideal way to
increase system capacity for battery based off grid systems. The primary
benefit is higher system efficiency for AC loads used during the day. I
realize that power management becomes important but my interest right now
is just to find out who talks to who. My ultimate "power management" tool
will be an electric vehicle. Charging it will undoubtedly suck up
available juice.
So far:
SMA synchronizes to Xantrex SW (have not tested the XW yet) and Outback
and of course the SMA Sunny Island
Xantrex GT also syncs to the SW
I started this project with Enphase as my first choice since their system
is so scaleable. I have been unable to make Enphase sync. Marv at Enphase
has been very helpful but to date no results. I have, at Marv's
suggestion ,used capacitors to clean the somewhat hashy SW output without
results. Marv tells me he is testing Enphase and Outback. Does anyone have
experience syncing Enphase to other offgrid inverters?
Any experiences with Fronius and others.?
Though the SW output is not the cleanest, the results with SB and GT are
very stable. They hookup early AM and its steady green light all day long.
Though I use microwave, start induction motors etc, and my scope clearly
shows lots of spikes during these events, the GT and SB hang in.
What are the experiences from others regarding mix and match?.
Interoperability among brands seems to be a very desirable goal to this wrench.
Don Loweburg
Offline Solar, Inc
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