Enphase engineers have contacted my client and will do a preliminary test of the Enphase fix sometime next week to see if it is effective. They will be using a Hioki PQA during the testing. I applaud Enphase for staying on this and even if this first fix needs some tweaking, I am confident they will make it work.
Daryl DeJoy NABCEP Certified PV installer Penobscot Solar Design > I see in your signal capture that the firing angle is earlier than mine > so that it doesn't (always) go across the zero crossing. From what the > utility system operator here has told me about their TWACS, the firing > angle is adjustable from about 5 to 30 degrees before the zero crossing. > Supposedly, they increase the firing angle to get a stronger signal from > sites that are hard to reach. > > Kent Osterberg > Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. > www.bluemountainsolar.com > > On 2/7/2013 2:13 PM, Nick Soleil wrote: >> Hi Kent and Wrenches, >> >> Thanks for sharing that image. We have some readings that we captured >> with a Hioki Power Quality Analyzer. >> >> I have this as a PDF, and can send it to anyone who would like to see >> this, but have also attached a .tiff file that meets the file size >> requirements of the list. Send an email to me off-list if you'd like >> the PDF. >> >> >> On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 10:21 AM, Kent Osterberg <k...@coveoregon.com >> <mailto:k...@coveoregon.com>> wrote: >> >> The Aclara <http://www.aclaratech.com> TWACS >> <http://www.aclaratech.com/AclaraPLS/pages/default.aspx> signal >> that knocks the Enphase inverters off line is difficult to capture >> because it only last a few seconds every time the meter replies to >> a ping or data request. I did manage to capture it using Zelscope >> <http://www.zelscope.com/> with a long recording time. The >> attached image shows a pulse at the zero crossing of the ac >> waveform; some crossings don't have a pulse - I think that is a >> binary zero and the pulse represents a one. The pulse does not >> change the ac frequency and has only a negligible effect on the >> rms ac voltage. However, the time between zero crossings is not >> always 16.67 ms. >> >> Messing with the zero crossing like that is an ugly thing to do to >> the ac voltage. Many things other than inverters can be messed up >> by this. It caused one of my digital clocks to run fast. Our local >> utility has had complaints about numerous other devices that it >> has messed up. I've got some SunnyBoy systems with remote >> monitoring that don't seem to be bothered by this signal. The >> Enphase inverters do not tolerate it. I'm glad to hear that >> Enphase is working on a fix and hope that it is rolled out soon. >> >> Kent Osterberg >> Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. >> www.bluemountainsolar.com <http://www.bluemountainsolar.com> >> >> On 2/5/2013 2:38 PM, Nick Soleil wrote: >>> Hi wrenches, >>> >>> The frequency out of range issue is being caused by some utility >>> meter's communication "ping". This ping is actually affecting >>> the utility voltage and frequency, and can be viewed with a power >>> quality analyzer. It is highly likely that this is affecting a >>> wide variety of utility-interactive inverters, but is only >>> noticeable with the Enphase systems; due to the high level of >>> visibility that our Enlighten monitoring and reporting provides. >>> >>> These changes required that the software undergo a new >>> certification process. We have completed our CSA certification of >>> the new software, and are validating it's functionality before >>> pushing out the solution to our entire population of >>> microinverters. We are in the process of beta testing the >>> software fix, and are hoping to have this resolved in February. >>> >>> Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue. >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 9:24 AM, <penobscotso...@midmaine.com >>> <mailto:penobscotso...@midmaine.com>> wrote: >>> >>> Dave, >>> It doesn't happen often, and the longest I've seen him >>> stay "down" is >>> about a half hour, but it seems to get progressively worse as >>> time goes >>> on for some reason (initially only the five minutes, but >>> longer down >>> times lately). This particular customer is difficult and >>> picky, to >>> boot. I hope yours is a bit kinder. Mine seems to think we >>> did him an >>> injustice of monumental proportions. >>> We have had the utility out there logging events, meetings >>> with the >>> utility and another solar company in Maine to discuss all >>> this, and >>> have kept Enphase in the loop throughout. Enphase has >>> responded in a >>> responsible and reasonable manner throughout. >>> If you want to discuss this with Enphase, call and ask for >>> Bret. He's >>> the engineer I previously dealt with, although he is second >>> tier, he is >>> accessible. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> > Thanks Daryl. Does your system also sometimes stay off for >>> longer periods >>> > sometimes? My clients system can stay off for up to 64 >>> minutes. >>> > >>> > Dave >>> > >>> > -----Original Message----- >>> > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org >>> <mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> >>> > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org >>> <mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>] On Behalf >>> Of >>> > penobscotso...@midmaine.com >>> <mailto:penobscotso...@midmaine.com> >>> > Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2013 12:01 PM >>> > To: RE-wrenches >>> > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase "AC Frequency out of >>> Range" >>> > >>> > Dave, >>> > We have been having the same problem with an Enphase >>> system in Maine. I >>> > have been dealing directly with the third tier engineers at >>> Enphase and >>> > they >>> > are working on a software fix for this. The"event" itself >>> is only a >>> > fraction >>> > of a second but IEEE requirements are that the inverter >>> shut down for five >>> > minutes. I only found out about this problem when it >>> started for this >>> > customer. It sems that Enphase has already addressed the >>> problem with a >>> > software fix for the M-190's. The M-215 fix should come, >>> according to >>> > Enphase, by the end of March. It will be automatically >>> downloaded through >>> > the Enlighten router. >>> > It's a known issue with Smart Meters with Enphase, but >>> should be >>> > reconciled soon. >>> > >>> > Daryl DeJoy >>> > NABCEP Certified PV installer >>> > Penobscot Solar Design >>> > www.penobscotsolar.com <http://www.penobscotsolar.com> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> >> Wrenchsters, >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> I have an Enphase 7.5kW system on a residence with utility >>> Smart >>> >> Metering, both the PV Production Meter as well as the >>> utility billing >>> >> meter being "read" every hour. This system has experienced >>> many "AC >>> >> Frequency Out Of Range" events since the system was >>> installed. Below >>> >> is copied the Enphase Event message. This particular event >>> was for 5 >>> >> minutes. Most of the events (all events are AC Frequency >>> Out Of Range) >>> >> last 5 to 10 minutes but occasionally they have lasted >>> from 45 minutes >>> >> to >>> > 64 minutes. >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> My question is: Could the use of the smart metering >>> increase the >>> >> likely hood that AC Frequency events happen? Or is this just >>> a >>> >> coincidence and that we are dealing with fluctuating >>> utility power AC >>> >> Frequency issues? >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> << >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> Started on: Mon February 04, 2013 12:49 PM EST >>> >> >>> >> Cleared on: Mon February 04, 2013 12:54 PM EST >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> Recommended action >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> This condition should correct itself. No action is required. >>> >> >>> >> Details >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> The microinverter reports that the frequency coming from >>> the utility >>> >> is either too low or too high as specified by applicable >>> regional >>> > standards. >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> AC frequency is the frequency at which voltage varies on >>> the utility >>> >> grid. >>> >> Frequency Out of Range events are usually transient and >>> >> self-correcting by the utility. >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> When the microinverter detects an out of frequency >>> condition, it must >>> >> remain offline until the utility has been within >>> acceptable limits >>> >> continuously for a short period of time (seconds to >>> minutes, varies by >>> >> region). If during that time the utility again exceeds or >>> falls short >>> >> of acceptable limits, the five-minute timer must restart >>> and the >>> >> microinverter may not begin producing power for an >>> additional short >>> >> period following the last out-of-bounds condition. >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> Best, >>> >> >>> >> Dave >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> David Palumbo >>> >> >>> >> Independent Power LLC >>> >> >>> >> 462 Solar Way Drive >>> >> >>> >> Hyde Park, VT 05655 >>> >> >>> >> www.independentpowerllc.com >>> <http://www.independentpowerllc.com> >>> >> >>> >> Vermont Solar Partner >>> >> >>> >> 25 Years Experience, (802) 888-7194 >>> <tel:%28802%29%20888-7194> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> <mailto: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 >> <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Cordially, >> >> *Nick Soleil* >> >> *Field Applications Engineer >> * >> >> *Enphase Energy* >> >> Mobile: (707) 321-2937 >> >> >> ** >> >> *Enphase Commercial Solar.* *Limitless.* >> <http://www.enphase.com/commercial?utm_source=email&utm_medium=sig&utm_campaign=Comm2012> >> >> * >> * >> <http://www.enphase.com/commercial?utm_source=email&utm_medium=sig&utm_campaign=Comm2012> >> >> 1420 North McDowell >> >> Petaluma, CA 94954 >> >> www.enphase.com <http://www.enphaseenergy.com/> >> >> P: (707) 763-4784 x7267 >> >> F: (707) 763-0784 >> >> E: nsol...@enphaseenergy.com <mailto:nsol...@enphaseenergy.com> >> >> nabcep logo Certified Solar PV Installer #03262011-300 >> >> "Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer >> fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous >> fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers >> more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's >> wireless! ." >> >> - William McDonough >> >> This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and >> may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not >> an intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, disclose or >> distribute this message. If you received this message in error, please >> contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original >> message. >> > _______________________________________________ > 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
