That part about utilities controlling the systems caught my eye. Most
Utility Commissions are in the pocket of the utilities in my opinion. In
Rhode Island, it is almost impossible to get intervenor status. Then
you are relegated to Public Comment. The "Consumer Advocate" has never
in my memory in30 years advocated on the side of the "consumer".
I will tell you that in this State, the utilities think they own your
investment, and Block Island Power Company's Jeff Wright President (from
Velco}, and the Chair of the Board MacMullan presented extremely poor
analysis to change the customer generation policies. The PUC yawned and
gave it a pass. They didn't even investigate the analysis. The utility
based it all upon ONE customer, while I presented a amalgamation of 15.
Not even discussed.
So, if you have such a similar Commission, you need to make sure you do
as much public outreach to more the chains. We are so small, it is just
about impossible. Chris Warfel
On 8/9/2025 7:40 PM, William Bryce via RE-wrenches wrote:
If you are using the inverter with nothing connected to the
high-voltage DC (PV) bus, AC Coupling is not recommended.
The MNP AIO can operate as a standard string inverter, with or without
a battery. Unlike most other AIOs, it can run with both a generator
and AC-coupled inputs at the same time (personally tested). However,
the AC-coupled input must be smaller (lower output) than the generator
input; otherwise, the generator may drop offline. This limitation is
in place to protect the generator’s control system.
A side note:
As with all inverters, firmware remains a major consideration. Fixes
and adjustments can sometimes introduce new issues. As inverter
technology advances—and with some states requiring utilities to
control customer-owned equipment—firmware complexity will likely
continue to grow, creating ongoing challenges for installers. We are
all in for more challenges as we move forward.
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM Jay via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
Thx William
The instructions specifically say that AC coupling only is not
recommended.
To me I read that in terms of the inverter wanting DC solar as well
Can you explain what’s going on.
Which is the correct way to install it and why does it say not
recommended
Thx
Jay
On Aug 9, 2025, at 3:13 PM, William Bryce via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
With the MNP AIO You can use an AC couple array at the same time
as the Generator. But.... If the AC coupled input is larger than
the Generator input, the Gen set relay will open to protect the
Generator.
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM Jay via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
Thx I looked it up.
But according to midnite they don’t recommend a only ac
coupled system.
Jay
On Aug 9, 2025, at 12:53 PM, Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
The Midnite Power AIO has inputs for grid, generator, AC
coupling and another smart load. I have not used both
generator and AC coupling to see how it acts if both are
active at the same time, but at least the inputs are there
for them both.
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 2:33 PM Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
Jason, Wrenches,
Consensus well that may not be the correct word to use,
personally l have used Solark for retrofitting systems
that already have GT type inverters, if you go with AC
Coupling then the gen set connection is a little more
complicated but very doable.
Funtimes
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 11:26 AM Jason Szumlanski via
RE-wrenches <[email protected]> wrote:
I go with "Backup Loads" on my drawings.
Tesla will not charge from a generator. But you can
obviously have a generator power the loads via a
transfer switch if the battery is completely
depleted. It's not the best solution, for sure.
Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 1:57 PM jay via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
Yeah I’ve given up trying to correct people on
that one.
On Aug 9, 2025, at 11:26 AM, Foxfire Energy via
RE-wrenches <[email protected]>
wrote:
Umm, just an FYI, I actually got dinged for
labeling the AC output panel from a battery
backup inverter as "Critical Loads".. Critical
loads (Critical Branch circuits) are defined in
article 100 of the NEC as circuits associated
with Patient Care.. AC loads from battery
backup inverters are more appropriately defined
as "Dedicated Loads"..
Maybe someone could correct me here, but I'm
under the impression most garden-variety
inverters are not rated for Critical Load
applications.
db
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:*RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> on
behalf of William Miller via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]>
*Sent:*Saturday, August 9, 2025 1:03 PM
*To:*RE-wrenches
<[email protected]>
*Cc:*William Miller <[email protected]>
*Subject:*Re: [RE-wrenches] Adding battery to
grid tie
Correct me if I'm wrong: I believe AIOs can
accept AC coupled power through the load
‘output’ port. That leaves the Grid and Gen
inputs free for their roles as labelled.
The AC coupled inverters connect via a breaker
in the critical loads panel.
William Miller
Miller Solar.com
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 9:50 AM david quattro
via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
True. if you want to do grid, gen, and AC
Couple then you need a transfer switch or
contactor.
Likewise I haven’t touched a Powerwall,
nor an Enphase battery.
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 9:36 AM jay via
RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
One big issue with the AIO’s is that
you can’t do grid, generator and ac
coupling to the best of my understanding
I do like the idea of just removing the
old GT inverter and stuffing that into
the AIO, elegant
yes its my understanding that Tesla
won’t accept generator. While many are
pissed off at eg4, I won’t touch tesla.
and FYI you can buy the same inverter
at Fortress.
thanks everyone.
jay
On Aug 9, 2025, at 10:28 AM, Tyrone
Houck via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
Midnite AIO and Sol-Ark both work
great for AC coupling in my
experience. If anyone is new to "All
In One" inverters I recommend having
tech support walk you through
commissioning, check firmware, etc.
the first time.
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 8:47 AM William
Miller via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
Two options:
1. AC couple existing inverter to
a battery capable inverter.
2. Replace existing inverter.
I favor option 2.
Option 1 is only preferred if
gaining access to the existing
inverter for replacement is
difficult. An example would be a
micro-inverter system.
New AIO inverters allow true high
voltage PV input so the existing
stringing will probably not need
to be modified.
I’m new to this so type of upgrade
so I welcome any corrections to
these opinions. I did replace a
Sunny Boy in my shop with a Soul
Ark and it’s working great!
William Miller
Miller Solar.com
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com
<http://www.millersolar.com/>
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 8:26 AM Jay
via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]>
wrote:
Is there a consensus as to
what equipment to use for
adding battery backup to
normal GT inverter?
I’ve had a few people ask and
I actually haven’t done it.
Thx
Jay
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