From Robin
It has been pointed out that the Tigo modules can and do blow up some
charge controllers and inverters. When a charge controller or inverter
has fairly fast tracking, the two units fight each other. We have found
Classics using the fast tracking mode will blow up with Tigo's in the
system. We also found that putting the Classic in the slower tracking
mode, Legacy, solves the issue. We are aware that at least one major
inverter model must defeat the tracking in order not to blow up. We have
not yet tested our arc fault detectors with Tigo modules, but plan on
doing this in the near future. It might be possible that the Tigo
modules present a signature that looks like an arc. That must be what is
happening with the SMA inverter.
Robin
On 6/5/2013 3:33 PM, SunHarvest wrote:
Just an FYI for anyone wanting to use Tigo optimizers with SMA
inverters incorporating AFCI -
According to SMA the Tigo optimizers will not operate with the SMA
inverters. They didn't go into detail. They just said the AFCI feature
of the Sunny Boy is not compatible with Tigo. After further discussion
they acknowledged that disabling the AFCI feature in the Sunny Boy
would allow compatibility with the Tigo optimizer. Awesome.
After talking this over with Tigo they came to the same conclusion but
neither company seemed too happy or confident in the marriage. Awesome.
Eric Stikes
SunHarvest
----- Original Message -----
*
Wrenches,
Here's an update on this configuration (20kW Enphase, AC coupled to
Sunny Islands) you should know about:
Enphase will not support and warranty the use of their micro inverters
in an AC-coupled installation with battery-based inverters. Enphase
approved this verbally with us in design, but balked when we asked
them to back it up in writing. Their issue/point is that AC-coupling
violates the UL1741 listing.
Thus, we're revising the design to use Sunny Boy string inverters. Our
customer would still like the module-level monitoring and optimization
offered by the micro-inverters (there is some shading issue), so we're
considering using string optimizers. We have not used string-
optimization, yet. It looks like the leading options are Solar Magic
and Tigo.
Any preferences, cautions, or advice with choosing and using
optimizers would be appreciated.
Thanks,
-Kelly
Kelly Keilwitz, P.E.
Principal
Whidbey Sun & Wind
Renewable Energy Systems
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
WA Electrical Administrator
987 Wanamaker Rd.
Coupeville, WA 98239
kelly at whidbeysunwind.com
PH & FAX: 360.678.7131
*
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Change email address & 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
Change email address & 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
