Re: [RE-wrenches] grid sell back time settings on Outback systems

[Chris Mason]

If you don't need a grid connection at other times, I have implemented a
solution using a Raspberry Pi, reading the data using XML from the Mate3
and parsing the values, and opening and closing a relay which control a
contactor. I used SOC as my guide, that's probably the most important
value, but you can also use voltage.
If you know a little programming it is easy to implement. Let me know if
you want any guidance.


On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 1:58 PM Jerry Shafer 
wrote:

> Wrenches, Kirpal
> I use the grid connection in the mate, grid use, and set the inverter to
> connect only at that time, its far from. Ideal but seems to do the job. I
> have tried the HBX but its inverse to what l wanted it to do, we are
> fortunate to have a Outback guy on this forum and he may chime in also
> Jerry
>
> On Thu, Feb 4, 2021, 8:22 AM Kirpal  wrote:
>
>> Hi Folks
>> We have a scenario where we would like to control when our system sells
>> power back to the grid.  Basically, we only want to sell back while the sun
>> is shining. We would like to stop selling based on programmed clock
>> settings.  I know in HBX mode we can control when we buy from the grid,
>> wondering if anyone knows how to control if and when we sell to the grid,
>> separate from voltage set points.  In this situation we basically don't
>> want to sell hydro power back at night.
>> We can create our own relay controls to prevent if we need to, but hoping
>> someone has a Mate controller based programming solution.  I can't seem to
>> find it and at first glance Outback tech support didn't have an answer...It
>> was a new tech support guy I spoke with and he was going to do some
>> research and get back to me.
>> 100 Thanks!
>>
>> Sunny Regards,
>> Kirpal Khalsa
>> Oregon LRT#25
>> Oregon Solarworks LLC
>> www.oregonsolarworks.com
>> 541-299-0402
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-- 
Chris Mason
Solar systems designer
Generac Generators Industrial technician

Comet Systems Ltd DBA Comet Solar
Anguilla Cell  264.235.5670
WhatsApp 264.235.5670
Skype: netconcepts
www.cometsolar.com 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Victron

[Roberto Kruse]

Hi Dave.

Victron has a 3kVA UL listed inverter. It can easily work in split phase
(120/240V) or three phase (120/208V).
I have been told that they are working on UL listing other models.

Regards,
Roberto Kruse
Heliotek

El jue, 4 feb 2021 a las 16:50, Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar (<
offgridso...@sti.net>) escribió:

> Can you folks tell me if Victron is UL listed for a Grid application and
> can it easily work split phased?
>
> Thank-you !
>
>
>
> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
> "we go where powerlines don't"
> http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ 
> e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net 
> text 209 813 0060*
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] MLSD module level shutdown

[jay]

HI Andrew,

I’ve been pondering your comments, and I hope you can elaborate on why you 
don’t think MLPE has anything to do with firefighter safety?  
And I guess I lump into the firefighter safety, homeowner safety as well.  

As to the code meeting.  I have it on pretty good info that a very senior 
member of the the NEC was pushing MLPE.  It is true that the string inverter 
OEM’s pushed back hard and that is why for the first time(?) a code rule had a 
2 year delay in implantation of the NEC 2017.

Thanks

jay

peltz power



> On Feb 4, 2021, at 12:49 PM, Solar Energy Solutions 
>  wrote:
> 
> Dear All,
> 
> I apologize for letting this conversation get a little stale before being 
> able to comment further.
> 
> Before I reply, I would like to say I don't believe MLSD has anything to do 
> with firefighter safety.  If being on dangerous roofs was really a concern, 
> steep roofs, slate roofs, metal roof, wet metal or shake roofs and snow on 
> roofs would get the same kind of scrutiny as solar on roofs.  I can only 
> guess and think that some HUGE solar hating utility company devised this 
> whole firefighter safety thing.  It is also my understanding none of the 
> string inverter folk turned up to the code development meetings where MLSD 
> was determined and you can guess who was.But much of this is only rumor 
> and the dark thoughts of a solar bozo.
> 
> I HATE the hassle and maintenance issues of MLSD.  I loved string inverters 
> and hated to see them go.  So far as I can tell the US is the only place on 
> planet Earth to make String inverters all but illegal.  This said... a 
> picture is worth a thousand words.  All of the attached photos of systems had 
> the wire management done very well.  If you look at the metal roof photo you 
> can see a small hole in it from the arc.  I have many more photos of 
> different squirrel damaged systems.  Ground Fault protection has saved the 
> inverters, but not the roofs.
> 
> I don't really like the idea of squirrel guards.  It seems like I may be 
> creating another problem down the road that I can't really imagine.  Debris 
> build up could be an issue.  Rainwater could back up from a damn and get 
> under shingles and into the cavity of the house.  For me the easiest thing 
> that could be done is for some kind of a bittering agent to be part of the 
> wires so that one little lick would send a critter looking for a better food 
> source.
> 
> Your Friendly Neighborhood Solar Man,
> 
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/3g5c57nqke9x7b2/Fire%201.JPG?dl=0 
> 
> Fire 2.JPG 
> 
>   
> Fire 2.JPG
> Shared with Dropbox
>  
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/3g5c57nqke9x7b2/Fire%201.JPG?dl=0 
> 
> Fire 3.JPG 
> 
>   
> Fire 3.JPG
> Shared with Dropbox
>  
> Fire 4.JPG 
> 
>   
> Fire 4.JPG
> Shared with Dropbox
>  
> Fire 5 Voltair the culprit.jpg 
> 
> 
>   
> Fire 5 Voltair the culprit.jpg
> Shared with Dropbox
>  
> 
> Metal Roof Squirrel damage.JPG 
> 
> 
>   
> Metal Roof Squirrel damage.JPG
> Shared with Dropbox
>  
> 
> Shadow of scorched squirrel on metal roof.JPG 
> 
> 
>   
> Shadow of scorched squirrel on metal roof.JPG
> Shared with Dropbox
>  
> 
>  
> Andrew Koyaanisqatsi
> President
> Solar Energy Solutions, Inc.
> The BRIGHT CHOICE
> Since 1987, helping you and your Portland neighbors
> move towards an environmentally sustainable future.
> 503-238-4502
> www.SolarEnergyOregon.com 
> 
> 
> On Friday, January 29, 2021, 8:15:28 PM PST, Ray  wrote:
> 
> 
> I totally agree; where else does the NEC allow loose single conductor cables 
> to run unprotected? outdoors?  All because the module manus and industry in 
> general has made no effort, zero, to accommodate any type of electrical 
> industry standard K/Os for conduit, or TEK 90 (great stuff BTW).   If we 
> hadn't gone this wacky direction, starting about 15 years ago, we probably 
> wouldn't be having this conve

[RE-wrenches] Just saw this and thought it worth sharing

[Jeremy Coxon]

Very interesting video, now I know Fronius is pointing fingers at Micro 
manufacturers but the demo seems to back up their proposal to scrap the 80V 
limit.  This is yet another reason we haven’t used many Micro’s on our systems.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H3c9GbLhQhY&t=4s


Jeremy Coxon NABCEP 
Certified MWBE

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Just saw this and thought it worth sharing

[Jason Szumlanski]

Here is Enphase's answer (or maybe Fronius was answering Enphase):

https://enphase.com/en-us/support/arc-fault-demonstration

Also, their literature suggests that the risk of a DC arc fault occuring is
far lower due to there being much less DC cabling exposed on the roof. With
no long DC home runs, that would obviously lower the probability of an
occurrence. I see where they are coming from, but we're talking about
severity here, not probability.

I have seen a few melted MC4 connectors at the panel to microinverter
connection. The results seem to support Enphase's video where the arc is
small and possibly intermittent, melting a hole in the connector housing,
but falling short of an exposed flame.

I think there is a twofold response that a microinverter manufacturer would
make. The probability of DC Arc fault is reduced and severity is lower.
That's a strong argument.

Is anyone aware of a significant fire in a microinverter system caused by a
DC arc fault? I assume there are anecdotes out there, but I haven't heard
of any. On the flip side, I've seen some pretty gnarled DC conductor
bundles melted together on string inverter systems with burned modules
above them.

That said, I would probably support more safety on the DC side of
microinverters. If AC modules weren't so darn expensive, I'd probably go
that direction. If PV DC leads were shorter I'd probably mount
microinverters to module frames. If integrated AFCI was available on
microinverters at a reasonable cost, that would be great.

Jason Szumlanski
Florida Solar Design Group


On Fri, Feb 5, 2021, 5:40 PM Jeremy Coxon 
wrote:

> Very interesting video, now I know Fronius is pointing fingers at Micro
> manufacturers but the demo seems to back up their proposal to scrap the 80V
> limit.  This is yet another reason we haven’t used many Micro’s on our
> systems.
>
> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H3c9GbLhQhY&t=4s
>
>
> Jeremy Coxon NABCEP
> Certified MWBE
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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