[RE-wrenches] backfeeding "six disconnect" panel
Hi everyone, I'm working on two systems for homes that have the old style breaker panels with no single main breaker. Instead, they have six breakers in the upper part of the panel each labeled "main breaker," which satisfies the six disconnect rule. The bus bar is split, with one of the six upper breakers (60A) feeding a separate bus in the lower half of the panel. It appears that the upper bus is rated for 200A, and the lower at 100A. The sum of the main breakers does not exceed the 200A rating of the upper bus. There are spare breaker slots on both the top and bottom buses. How do I deal with 690.64 (B) (2) when there's no main breaker? Thanks! Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Power line shading
I have a system with Enphase inverters that has a 1/2" cable crossing 8-10ft above the array. I used the Enphase inverters specifically for isolating that shading, but have seen no noticeable impact on production from the modules being shaded. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 8:17 PM, Nick Soleil wrote: > I have some anecdotal experience that may be valuable. I just recently > installed a system under a set of 3 power and 3 phone wires located about > 20' above the array. The system was installed with Enphase micro-inverters, > so I could clearly see the effect of the wires on the shaded modules. I > just checked todays production, and the modules with wire shadows on them > were producing 18-21% less per module than the modules without the shadows. > At another site with just one 1/2" phone wire located 3' above a > module, that module is producing 2-3% less when shaded. > > Nick Soleil > Project Manager > Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC > PO Box 657 > Petaluma, CA 94953 > Cell: 707-321-2937 > Office: 707-789-9537 > Fax: 707-769-9037 > > > -- > *From:* Eric Thomas > > *To:* RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > *Sent:* Mon, October 11, 2010 12:28:33 PM > > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Power line shading > > Hey there, > > We have a string inverter system installation coming up that has a power > line suspended over the roof. The line is diagonal to the roof and about 20' > above the surface. It will be very challenging to configure the strings to > mitigate shading. Does anyone have experience with the effects on producion > from the thin shadow cast by the powerline? > > Thanks > > Eric Thomas > Solar Epiphany LLC > Seattle > (206)919-3014 > > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] backfeeding "six disconnect" panel
Hi everyone, I just noticed my last email didn't go through because I'd attached pictures of the panel. If you're interested in the pics of the panel please contact me off-list. Thanks for the feedback. To clarify, the upper part of the bus is lug-fed directly from the service meter - no overcurrent protection. I have this same situation in two homes - one has a Bryant panel, not sure about the other. It seems possible connecting to the top bus could be considered a supply side connection. It's done through a panel bus, though, which seems like maybe it wouldn't qualify. It's true that the 60A breaker feeding the 100A bus fulfills the calculation requirements. However, the calculation has to follow upstream to the bus supplying that 60A breaker, so again we have a potential problem since there's no overcurrent protection for that bus. So, it seems the real question is about that top bus. Can we consider a connection there a supply side tap? If not, who do we do the 690.64 (B) (2) calculation without a main breaker? Thanks! Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 6:37 PM, Matt Lafferty wrote: > Hi Dana, > > "Sounds like" you have a lower-bus rated at 100A being fed by a 60A > breaker... Yes? > > If so, technically speaking but not necessarily the right thing to do, you > have a SWEET SETUP! In 690.64 terms, you are legally allowed 120A to feed > that bus. Which converts to a maximum 60A PV interconnection breaker located > at the opposite end of the bus from the 60A supply breaker. This is a panel > configuration that I have wished was still made for many years. > > The downside is... It's probably older than me. With really wimpy buses. > And really bad options for replacement breakers. And is full of 2-wire > homerun circuits. > > If it doesn't have a perfect-in-every-way bus, it's time for a new panel. > You also need to be able to buy real... Modern And New UL Listed > breakers. Those gray looking replacement breakers in the home improvement > store? They're NOT OK. In any way. > > Wadsworth? FPE? Bulldog? &...??? These panels are NOT OK for > interconnection at this point. Time to upgrade. Yes, really. Zinsco? > Depends. Any panel with signs of arcing around the bus anywhere? Better have > a damned good explanation before I'd be tying in some PV. I know of a > couple. Warped breakers? Change it! > > I just got done doing a 90% rewire on a friend's house and it tore my heart > out sending the panel to the recycler.* (This friend is into long-term > thinking and sustainable everything. I would have left it if I could and so > would they.) *The bus was pristine. It is rumored that Al Capone used to > stay in this place when he was in the area. The panel was giant, with lots > of room. This panel had a coolness factor off the charts. But... I couldn't > reliably get trustworthy breakers. And it was my friend's house. Somebody I > care about. I couldn't leave it in there. I use the same judgement whether > my customer is a friend or not. > > If what you have is a modern panel, share! I know I would personally > appreciate it if you were able to share mfr, model, pictures, etc. Whenever > we are upgrading/swapping/moving a service panel, we need to be installing > something that provides the best opportunity for interconnection of > distributed resources. We don't have those at this point. And we need them. > A split-distribution *(not just split-bus)* service panel is one way to > accomplish this. The trick is to limit the possible size of the breaker > feeding the "2nd" bus *(the lower bus in this case).* It's not rocket > science. > > I'd be happy to use and publicize a product that a mainstream manufacturer > came up with to deal with this. How about you? > > $0.02001, > > Solar Janitor > > PS - Home rewiring for friends only. I love doing it, but I do it for love. > There ain't no amount of money that makes me want to do it just for money! > -- > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: > re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Dana Brandt > *Sent:* Thursday, October 28, 2010 5:19 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] backfeeding "six disconnect" panel > > Hi everyone, > > I'm working on two systems for homes that have the old style breaker panels > with no single main breaker. Instead, they have six breakers in the upper > part of the panel each labeled "main breaker," which satisfies the six > disconnect rule. The bus bar is split, with one of the six upper breakers > (60
Re: [RE-wrenches] backfeeding "six disconnect" panel
Thanks. That's really helpful. I think the Code Corner quote will help in dealing with the AHJ. >From a practical standpoint, though, I don't see why our PV input power should limited by the 690.64 (B) (2) calculation if there's a main breaker present, but if there's no main breaker we can feed in 100% of the bus rating. * "The basic restriction (which will be in the 2011 NEC) that would apply to this type of main service panel is that the sum of the overcurrent devices from the PV inverter(s) should not exceed the rating of the panel bus bar or the rating of the service entrance cables."* Is there something special in the busing on these main-lug-only panels that means we don't have to be so conservative or is it a matter of the code not really being consistent? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 10:01 PM, Philip Boutelle wrote: > Dana, > I'll echo Scott's earlier comment: connecting to an empty 'main' breaker > position that is on the top bus will be a supply-side connection. From Code > Corner #126: > * > * > *Some dwellings have main-lug-only panels. There is no * > *single main breaker feeding the panel, but up to six main * > *breakers are allowed. Empty breaker positions can be used * > *as supply-side connections. The basic restriction (which * > *will be in the 2011 NEC) that would apply to this type * > *of main service panel is that the sum of the overcurrent * > *devices from the PV inverter(s) should not exceed the * > *rating of the panel bus bar or the rating of the service * > *entrance cables.* > > -Phil Boutelle > Real Goods Solar > > > On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 6:55 PM, Dana Brandt wrote: > >> Hi everyone, >> >> I just noticed my last email didn't go through because I'd attached >> pictures of the panel. If you're interested in the pics of the panel please >> contact me off-list. >> >> Thanks for the feedback. To clarify, the upper part of the bus is lug-fed >> directly from the service meter - no overcurrent protection. I have this >> same situation in two homes - one has a Bryant panel, not sure about the >> other. >> >> It seems possible connecting to the top bus could be considered a supply >> side connection. It's done through a panel bus, though, which seems like >> maybe it wouldn't qualify. >> >> It's true that the 60A breaker feeding the 100A bus fulfills the >> calculation requirements. However, the calculation has to follow upstream to >> the bus supplying that 60A breaker, so again we have a potential problem >> since there's no overcurrent protection for that bus. >> >> So, it seems the real question is about that top bus. Can we consider a >> connection there a supply side tap? If not, who do we do the 690.64 (B) (2) >> calculation without a main breaker? >> >> Thanks! >> >> Dana >> >> Dana Brandt >> Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC >> www.ecotechenergy.com >> d...@ecotechenergy.com >> 360.510.0433 >> >> >> On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 6:37 PM, Matt Lafferty wrote: >> >>> Hi Dana, >>> >>> "Sounds like" you have a lower-bus rated at 100A being fed by a 60A >>> breaker... Yes? >>> >>> If so, technically speaking but not necessarily the right thing to do, >>> you have a SWEET SETUP! In 690.64 terms, you are legally allowed 120A to >>> feed that bus. Which converts to a maximum 60A PV interconnection breaker >>> located at the opposite end of the bus from the 60A supply breaker. This is >>> a panel configuration that I have wished was still made for many years. >>> >>> The downside is... It's probably older than me. With really wimpy buses. >>> And really bad options for replacement breakers. And is full of 2-wire >>> homerun circuits. >>> >>> If it doesn't have a perfect-in-every-way bus, it's time for a new panel. >>> You also need to be able to buy real... Modern And New UL Listed >>> breakers. Those gray looking replacement breakers in the home improvement >>> store? They're NOT OK. In any way. >>> >>> Wadsworth? FPE? Bulldog? &...??? These panels are NOT OK for >>> interconnection at this point. Time to upgrade. Yes, really. Zinsco? >>> Depends. Any panel with signs of arcing around the bus anywhere? Better have >>> a damned good explanation before I'd be tying in some PV. I know of a >>> couple. Warped breakers? Change it! >>&
Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA -40 Arc Faults
Hi everyone, We're experiencing a large number of nuisance AFCI trips on -40 inverters with Tigo. Both SMA and Tigo claim there are no compatibility issues and that our experience is unique and others aren't having this problem. Are the rest of you still having issues with this? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt d...@ecotechsolar.com 360.318.7646 x700 www.ecotechsolar.com On Tue, May 8, 2018 at 12:15 PM Blake Gleason wrote: > Hi Matt - A couple of years ago, I worked extensively with an inverter > manufacturer (sorry I can't name) who was seeing a lot of arc-fault > nuisance tripping on systems with Tigo. They had some fancy test equipment > and did a bunch of analysis and found that Tigo was creating a lot of noise > on the DC circuits, and that noise would look like DC arc fault noise in > many situations. I don't know whether Tigo has made improvements or not, > but I wouldn't be surprised if the -40 is sensitive to the Tigo noise. If > you can talk to the right person at SMA (I don't know who that would be > these days), you might ask them about whether they have evaluated the -40 > arc detection for compatibility with Tigo; if not, maybe they could. I > suspect it's partially a matter of an evolving and imperfect set of > standards. Probably both the inverter and the maximizer meet their > respective noise standards, but there is still a problem when you put them > together. > > Best, > Blake > > On Tue, May 8, 2018 at 9:42 AM, Matt Partymiller < > m...@solar-energy-solutions.com> wrote: > >> Wrenches, >> >> I recall seeing some past threads about SMA arc fault issues but am >> curious if others are using SMA -40 inverters extensively and NOT seeing >> intermittent arc faults? If so, I would be curious what your DC >> installation practices look like? Are you ensuring that homerun ends use >> connectors identical to your module manufacturer? Are you crimping any DC >> transitions? Perhaps using insulated lugs for DC transitions? What type of >> conduit are you using for DC wiring? Are you using ferrules where you >> terminate in the inverter? Any other tips or suggestions are also >> welcome. >> >> At the moment arc faults for the SMA -40 inverters seem to be our main >> service ticket at this time (surpassing Enphase replacements and >> surpassing prior-model SMA arc fault issues). The arc fault errors are >> particularly prevalent on systems with Tigo optimizers installed though we >> have occurrences on pretty much every -40 unit. System meantime between >> failure seems to be unpredictable but somewhere between 2-180 days. There >> does seem to be some correlation between systems with shading and Tigos >> and prevalence of arc faults. Shutting off arc fault seems to be the only >> true solution which is obviously undesirable. >> >> SMA has us update firmware and has had us shutoff Optitrac neither of >> which resolve the issue. They also ask us to check wiring connections >> which almost never yields results (though we have found a squirrel or two >> which makes one grateful that the arc fault function exists). >> >> Thanks for any advice, >> >> Matt >> >> >> >> >> Matthew Partymiller >> Solar Energy Solutions LLC >> (877) 312-7456 >> m...@solar-energy-solutions.com >> >> >> ___ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> > > > -- > > > > > <http://www.sunlightandpower.com/> > > > <https://www.bcorporation.net/what-are-b-corps/why-b-corps-matter> > <http://www.greenbiz.ca.gov/AboutUsAC.html> > <https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunlight-and-power-berkeley> > <https://www.facebook.com/SunLightandpower/> > <https://plus.google.com/+SunLightPowerBerkeley> > <https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunlightandpower> > <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT9wyMAwre0RW8QnR-Hx3Mw> > * Blake Gleason* - PE, LEED AP > *Director of Innovation & Technical Excellence* > > *P:* 510.845.2997 x128 > *E:* bl...@sunlightandpower.com > *W:* sunlightandpower.com <http://www.sunlightandpower.co
[RE-wrenches] does the federal grant affect depreciation?
Wrenches, I feel like this must have been discussed before, but I can't find it in the archives. If a business takes the 30% federal grant, do they get to depreciate 100% of the system cost, or just the remaining 70%? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] does the federal grant affect depreciation?
Thanks, Randy. Do you have a reference for the depreciable basis being reduced by half the tax credit? I've emailed the treasury dept. and will report back what I hear from them. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 8:39 PM, Randy wrote: > Dana, > > Federal depreciation rules establish depreciation or the depreciable basis > based on the system cost reduced by half of the tax credit. The federal > grant is “in lieu” of the tax credit therefore I am fairly certain that > treatment should be the same as taking the tax credit. > > > > However, I couldn’t readily find a definitive answer and it was not covered > in the SEIA webinar. If you cant get an affirmative response then email the > treasury department at 1603questi...@do.treas.gov. > > > > Randy > > > > Randy Sadewic > > Positive Energy > > > > Office: 505 424-1112 > > Cell:505 570-0137 > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: > re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Dana Brandt > *Sent:* Tuesday, September 29, 2009 5:33 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] does the federal grant affect depreciation? > > > > Wrenches, > > I feel like this must have been discussed before, but I can't find it in > the archives. > > If a business takes the 30% federal grant, do they get to depreciate 100% > of the system cost, or just the remaining 70%? > > Thanks, > > Dana > > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.510.0433 > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] does the federal grant affect depreciation?
Thanks, David! That's exactly what I needed. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 12:34 PM, David Brearley < david.brear...@solarprofessional.com> wrote: > Dana, > > Here is an excerpt from the latest SEIA tax manual that supports the > information from Randy: > > “1.6.2 Basis Reduction—The owner of solar equipment on which an investment > credit is claimed or on which a cash grant is paid by the Treasury can > depreciate only 85 percent of the cost. The ‘basis’ for depreciation must be > reduced by half the amount of the investment credit or cash grant.” > > Best regards, > > David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor > *SolarPro* magazine > NABCEP Certified PV Installer ™ > > > On 9/30/09 2:11 PM, "Dana Brandt" wrote: > > Thanks, Randy. Do you have a reference for the depreciable basis being > reduced by half the tax credit? I've emailed the treasury dept. and will > report back what I hear from them. > > Dana > > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com <http://www.ecotechenergy.com> > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.510.0433 > > > On Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 8:39 PM, Randy > wrote: > > Dana, > > Federal depreciation rules establish depreciation or the depreciable basis > based on the system cost reduced by half of the tax credit. The federal > grant is “in lieu” of the tax credit therefore I am fairly certain that > treatment should be the same as taking the tax credit. > > > > However, I couldn’t readily find a definitive answer and it was not covered > in the SEIA webinar. If you cant get an affirmative response then email the > treasury department at 1603questi...@do.treas.gov. > > > > Randy > > > > Randy Sadewic > > Positive Energy > > > > Office: 505 424-1112 > > Cell:505 570-0137 > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [ > mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] > *On Behalf Of *Dana Brandt > *Sent:* Tuesday, September 29, 2009 5:33 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] does the federal grant affect depreciation? > > > > Wrenches, > > I feel like this must have been discussed before, but I can't find it in > the archives. > > If a business takes the 30% federal grant, do they get to depreciate 100% > of the system cost, or just the remaining 70%? > > Thanks, > > Dana > > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com <http://www.ecotechenergy.com> > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.510.0433 > > ___ > > > > > > > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA GFDI Err Tip was PV Powered vs SMA
In my experience tightening the fuse holder and cleaning the contacts didn't help but a 30 minute burn in did the trick. No problems since. SMA tech support said this has be a common problem for them in humid environments. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 7:28 AM, Wayne Irwin wrote: > We have had the same issue with the SMA GFDI err. To fix the problem, > before commissioning we remove the fuse, squeeze the GFDI fuse holder a > little tighter and clean the contact ends of the fuse. Fires right up. > > Wayne Irwin EE > Pure Energy Solar International Inc. > State Licensed Solar Contractor > License # CVC56695 > wa...@pureenergysolar.com > http://pureenergysolar.com <http://pureenergysolar.net> > 352 377-6527 Office > 352 336-3299 Fax > 352 316-1637 Cell > > The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are > not the intended recipient and have received this message in error, any use > or distribution is prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail > and delete this message from your computer system. Thank you. > > > > > > > > -- > From: atru...@gmail.com > Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 21:17:54 -0500 > To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Powered vs SMA > > > > Last I used a PVP was in 2005 and we had multiple failures. I've never had > an SMA fail but there has been a disconcerting glitch on some units lately, > where the inverter displays a GFDI fuse error for about a 1/2 hour after > commissioning, and then kicks in. Still the best dependabilty and fit and > finish of any of the major inverters in my humble opinion. > > To me its Ford vs. BMW. America makes some damn fine equipment but when it > comes to precision engineering and lifetime performance I would argue that > the Germans have an edge on the rest of the world right now. > > > Andrew Truitt > Standard Solar Inc. > > > > On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 9:29 AM, Drake Chamberlin < > drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org> wrote: > > In the past I have seen a lot of issues with PVP inverters. There was a > period, when I was subcontracting, where a half dozen or more of the units > had to be replaced within a short time. Although I like many features of > PVP, I've avoided them since. Have others found these units to be reliable > or problematic? > > > > At 07:30 PM 12/1/2009, you wrote: > > Nice thread... inverter pros/cons is something I spend a fair amount of > time > pondering, since they are the weak link in the grid-direct installation. > > Overall, I like them both (PVP and SMA). > > Performance: On page 44 of the Dec/Jan issue of SolarPro, there is a list > of > specifications for grid-direct inverters. Current PVP and SMA inverters > have > similar CEC weighted efficiency ratings. Some of the older PVP inverter > models (1100, 2000, 2800, 3000) have slightly lower efficiency. > > Reliability: I like that the PVP inverters have no moving parts, whereas > the > SMA inverters use a fan to assist with the cooling. PV Powered does a lot > of > marketing around their reliability efforts, for whatever that's worth. > > Customer Service: I have not needed to utilize PV Powered customer service. > I've found SMA customer service techs to be easy to reach and > knowledgeable. > > Other issues: I like that PV Powered inverters are made in the USA. I also > find the hardware and manuals to be easier to work with, most likely > because > they're produced in the USA for our market. The PVP inverters ship with a > full-size mounting template which comes in handy, especially when planning > the rough-in wiring and support framing during new construction. > > I have a preference for the PVP inverters, and use SMA occasionally if it's > a better design fit. I agree with Wayne Irwin's comment about the > durability > of the inverters with the heavy transformer designs, as opposed to the > newer > "light-weight" designs (including the newest SMA products). I just feel > that > in the long run, lower counts for electronic components is a good thing. > I'm > not an expert on component reliability, but I know from my somewhat limited > experience that capacitors dry up and transistors are susceptible to a > variety of failure modes. The fewer of these things, the better. Also from > a > reliability standpoint, I prefer to put inverters inside in a well > ventilated area, if possible. My gut feeling is that over the long haul, > any > inverter will be better off in a location that is
Re: [RE-wrenches] Sanyo 210N Hit Power Modules
Conergy and SunWize carry them. Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 6:51 AM, Drake Chamberlin < drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org> wrote: > Does anyone have a source for Sanyo 210N Hit Power Modules? > > Thank you, > > > Drake Chamberlin > Athens Electric > OH License 44810 > CO License 3773 > NABCEP TM Certified PV Installer > Office - 740-448-7328 > Mobile - 740-856-9648 > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] EnPhase/Racking Best Fit
I'll second that! We had good luck with the little clips for the Enphase, but there's a lot of opportunity for having to do a lot of work over again if anything goes wrong. This is my disappointment with the Clicksys in general. In my opinion, the genious of the SolarMount is the T-bolt that allows you to install top clamps as you go instead of having to slide everything down from the end of the rail. Clicksys does away with this. When you add in the Enphase to the Clicksys, you have a very non-flexible installation. All the top clamps have to be in place before the inverters are installed. If you miss or break a clamp you have to take all your inverters off and slide all the clips off to get a new one in place. Also on my list of why I'm underwhelmed by Clicksys is that with our 25lb snow load here you need an attachment every 24". In my mind this makes them only practical on standing seam roof. I'm a big fan of Unirac, but I think they missed on this one. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Sat, Jan 16, 2010 at 3:06 PM, wrote: > Erika, > > I can tell you from experience that the Unirac Clicksys is NOT an ideal > candidate for Enphase applications. The reason is that if you have a problem > with a mounting clip that galls up or breaks, you have to disassemble the > entire racks worth of sliders and microinverters in order to replace. The > only way to slide on a replacement is from the end of the rail or a splice > point. Really a pain. > > Take care, > > Eric Thomas > Founder > Solar Epiphany LLC > Seattle > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > -Original Message- > From: re-wrenches-requ...@lists.re-wrenches.org > Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:04:07 > To: > Subject: RE-wrenches Digest, Vol 3, Issue 63 > > Send RE-wrenches mailing list submissions to >re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/listinfo.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >re-wrenches-requ...@lists.re-wrenches.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at >re-wrenches-ow...@lists.re-wrenches.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of RE-wrenches digest..." > > > When responding to posts within the Digest, be sure to restore the Subject: > line to the original, and please edit out any extraneous lines from the > quoted message. > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: trapeziod modules (William Dorsett) > 2. Re: enphase and racks (frenergy) > 3. Re: discharging Rolls batteries (Bruce Geddes) > > > -- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:58:29 -0800 (PST) > From: William Dorsett > To: RE-wrenches , >jry...@netscape.com > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] trapeziod modules > Message-ID: <691869.43614...@web81907.mail.mud.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Jeff, Sharp is the only manufacturer I know of that puts out at least > triangular modules that can come close to forming a trapezoid. > > Bill Dorsett > SunwrightS > 1715 Leavenworth > Manhattan, KS 66502 > Home/Office 785/539=1956 > Cell 785/564-2583 > wmdors...@sbcglobal.net > > See Amory Lovins July 08 on Charlie Rose > http://www.charlierose.com/guests/amory-lovins > > --- On Fri, 1/15/10, Jeff Yago wrote: > > > From: Jeff Yago > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] trapeziod modules > To: "RE-wrenches" > Date: Friday, January 15, 2010, 9:27 PM > > > I have a demonstration project that will require only a handfull of modules > that need to form a round circle when grouped together.? I need a complete > circle that will have a combined output of 400 to 600 watts, depending on > module size.? I have seen several large modules this shape in recent > articles about solar "sun-flower" shaped street lighting, but I do not need > anything that large and its not for a street light application.? Anybody > know a supplier that will sell in small quantities? > > Thanks, > > Jeff Yago > jry...@netscape.com > > > _ > Netscape.? Just the Net You Need. > ___ > 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 > &g
Re: [RE-wrenches] anti islanding?
Hi August, I wrote a not-too-technical description of anti-islanding for the Ask the Experts section of Home Power a while back. You can find it online at: http://homepower.com/article/?file=HP130_pg28_ATE_2 or in print in the Apr/May 2009 (#130) issue. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 11:25 AM, August Goers wrote: > Bil, boB, Darryl, > > Thanks for all the input... now I have some good Valentine's Day reading > ;-0 > > -August > > August Goers > > Luminalt Energy Corporation > O: 415.564.7652 > M: 415.559.1525 > F: 650.244.9167 > www.luminalt.com > > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [ > re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bill Brooks [ > billbroo...@yahoo.com] > Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 8:45 PM > To: 'RE-wrenches' > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] anti islanding? > > August, > > Probably the best simple explanation is in "Connecting to the Grid", > published by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the North Carolina > Solar Center. It is in its 6th edition. I wrote the original version of the > document over 15 years ago. > > Bill. > > Quote from Document: > > "Grid-tied inverters monitor the utility line voltage and frequency > continuously. When abnormal voltage or frequency conditions occur on the > utility system, they shut themselves off quickly (or "cease to energize," > the phrase that appears in technical interconnection standards). > Unintentional islands with inverters are very difficult to sustain because > the inverter is not designed to regulate output voltage. Instead, these > inverters produce current proportional to the available power from the > prime > power source. An Islanding condition would require the source power to > match > real and reactive load conditions thus sustain an unintentional island. > With > dynamic loads and fixed power source the natural tendency of the island to > shift outside the allowable voltage and frequency limits that would > otherwise cause the inverter to trip. Extensive testing of inverters at > Sandia National Laboratories, under a variety of laboratory-controlled > worst-case conditions, led to the development of specific > islanding-detection (or anti-islanding) techniques and a generalized test > procedure for evaluating the efficacy of any anti-islanding device. These > and other anti-islanding techniques reduce the already low probability of > inverter islanding such that devices that pass this test, which is detailed > in IEEE 1547.1-2005, are considered non-islanding. Informative discussions > of islanding and anti-islanding inverters are included in the annexes to > IEEE 929-2000 and in a study titled Results of Sandia National > Laboratories > Grid-Tied Inverter Testing, published in 1998 by Sandia National > Laboratories." > ** > > -Original Message- > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of August > Goers > Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 8:29 AM > To: RE-wrenches > Subject: [RE-wrenches] anti islanding? > > Hi Wrenches, > > Does anyone know where I can go to read about general information on how > grid tied inver anti islanding works? I'd like to be able to describe this > in better detail to our tech-savvy clients. > > Thanks, > > August > > > August Goers > > Luminalt Energy Corporation > O: 415.564.7652 > M: 415.559.1525 > F: 650.244.9167 > www.luminalt.com > ___ > > ___ > 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 > > ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Generators and Grid-tie Systems
SMA has an intelligent dump load that works with their AC coupled systems. It's call a Smart Load, but I don't think they have a UL listed version. SMA has some pretty impressive technology along the lines of AC coupling that they've chosen not to make for the US market. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 2:49 PM, Hugh wrote: > I know a guy in Colombia who connects his Magnatek Aurora inverter to a > genset when the grid is down. Seems to work most of the time. He's got some > sort of chinese turbine and chinese controller that dumps power off the > back-up generator when necessary. > > Isn't there some way to detect reverse power and add a dump load? Seems a > shame to kill the renewable input when the grid is down. > -- > Hugh Piggott > > Scoraig Wind Electric > Scotland > http://www.scoraigwind.co.uk > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase performance
I've been concerned about pairing higher wattage modules (~230W) with the 190W Enphase fearing a lot of clipping and power loss when the modules are at full power. I did some modeling of this setup in PVSYST and found that the expected loss from the inverter being underpowered is 0 - 0.2% annually depending on the assumptions. The modeling was for northwestern Washington State. A fifth of a percent seems pretty negligible to me and is easily offset by removing module mismatch from the equation. So, I'm convinced that matching modules in the 230W range with the 190W Enphase inverters is a good design. I recently installed 4kW of 230s with the Enphase 190s and have seen their output as high as 199W. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Fri, May 7, 2010 at 4:48 PM, Chris Worcester wrote: > Do the Enphase inverters clip the output power to their rating like other > manufacturer’s? So a M190 can only put out 190 watts max? I have had this > question for a bit now on system performances using Enphase in designs > during our cold spring and fall days. > > > > Sincerely, > > Chris Worcester > > Solar Wind Works > NABCEP Certified PV Installer > Phone: 530-582-4503 > Fax: 530-582-4603 > www.solarwindworks.com > ch...@solarwindworks.com > "Proven Energy Solutions" > > > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: > re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Mark Westbrock > *Sent:* Friday, May 07, 2010 10:33 AM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase performance > > > > The over-reporting of energy that Randy refers to below was much higher > than any discrepancy based on monitoring resolution. We have a pyranometer > at the site, and Enphase reported energy production as high as 38% higher > that predicted from irradiance data, as well as 38% higher than the string > inverter portion of the same system. Individual microinverters showed > instantaneous power output as high as 285 W from a nominal 190 W unit. > > Enphase explained that there was a software glitch that was resulting in > "double counting". It took them over two months to correct this issue, time > which is lost from our experimental comparison of string vs. microinverter. > They indicated that this seemed to be an isolated situation, but I wonder > how many Enphase customers are reporting miraculous performance from their > system without verifying via another meter. > > Screen shot of a day's power production of 22 M190 microinverters (nominal > 4180 watts AC): > > > Mark > > Mark Westbrock > > NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer > > NM ER-1J Journeyman Electrician > > Positive Energy, Inc. > > office: 575-524-2030 > > cell: 575-640-2432 > > westbr...@positiveenergysolar.com > > www.positiveenergysolar.com > > > > We definitely experienced an overstatement. > > > > We have a client who installed 5kW on a string inverter and 5kW on enphase > and it is that side-by-side comparison that enabled us to positively > identify a problem. There was a significant overstatement of output. We > finally got a Enphase person who told us it was a software glitch. The > problem appears to be fixed. They explained to us that our problem was > isolated without giving us a detailed explanation of what happened. Since > that problem was fixed, we have seen no difference in output between a > string inverter and enphase. > > > > Randy > > Kirpal Khalsa wrote: > > This same issue has come up over the years for us..first with PV > Powered inverters and then noticed in Fronius as well..We have noticed > in most of our grid tied systems that are connected thru a "revenue grade > meter" for Oregon Energy Trust production reporting, that the inverter > always has a higher performance than indicated on the "utility grade > meter". We have seen the discrepency as high as 10%. Over time this adds > up to significant kWh differences. In our experience the inverter always > has the higher kWh reporting, we have attributed this to the inverter > wanting to report a good production number, to boost their efficiency > claims..maybe even more than is accurate.I have asked PV Powered and > Fronius about this and their line is that to put a "revenue grade meter" > into the inverter would be cost prohibitive..interesting as the readily > available revenue grade meters are only $30-$60. I would gladly pay that > much extra if I didn't have to wire in an additional meter. > I don't think this problem is unique to the Enphase units (i haven't &g
Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase performance
Something to remember is that my simulation was for a specific location in Washington. The answer might be different for your location and weather patterns. I agree that it seems wrong to have the inverter rating 20% less than the array nameplate. Typically, I would consider that sort of pairing a poor design. You're right that there will certainly be some clipping - especially with cloud-edge effects. The real question in my mind is not whether the inverter will ever clip the output of the array, but what's the real impact of that on energy generation on an annual basis. This is what lead me to do the modeling simulations which indicated the effect is negligible when taken in the context of the total annual production. Compared to the whole year's sun, there just isn't that much energy in high production spikes like cloud edge effects that the inverters will clip - at least not around here. One thing to consider is that if you go with smaller modules you need more inverters. You might compare the cost of the additional inverters to the value of the 0.2% energy loss from clipping over the lifetime of the system. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Mon, May 10, 2010 at 11:36 AM, Marco Mangelsdorf wrote: > I just don’t understand why going over 20 percent of module nameplate to > nameplate inverter rating makes any sense. > > > > I regularly see 120-130 percent of nameplate amperage coming off of the > array on our office due to edge of cloud. > > > > So I have to disagree with Dana in this instance. I see this a bad design > especially since lower output mods are so readily available these days. > > > > And what’s up with the Enphase 210? Doesn’t it say on their latest > compatibility list (March 2010) that it’s only good for the Sanyo line? > What’s up with that especially since I know that one other manufacturer is > signing off on using the Enphase 210 with their 210-watt module, apparently > with Enphase’s approval? > > > > Marv—why is your Enphase 210 only listed for use with the Sanyo line when > there’s a growing number of 210+ watt mods out there these days? > > > > Thanks, > > marco > > > > I've been concerned about pairing higher wattage modules (~230W) with the > 190W Enphase fearing a lot of clipping and power loss when the modules are > at full power. > > I did some modeling of this setup in PVSYST and found that the expected > loss from the inverter being underpowered is 0 - 0.2% annually depending on > the assumptions. The modeling was for northwestern Washington State. A fifth > of a percent seems pretty negligible to me and is easily offset by removing > module mismatch from the equation. So, I'm convinced that matching modules > in the 230W range with the 190W Enphase inverters is a good design. > > I recently installed 4kW of 230s with the Enphase 190s and have seen their > output as high as 199W. > > Dana > > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.510.0433 > > On Fri, May 7, 2010 at 4:48 PM, Chris Worcester > wrote: > > Do the Enphase inverters clip the output power to their rating like other > manufacturer’s? So a M190 can only put out 190 watts max? I have had this > question for a bit now on system performances using Enphase in designs > during our cold spring and fall days. > > > > Sincerely, > > Chris Worcester > > Solar Wind Works > NABCEP Certified PV Installer > Phone: 530-582-4503 > Fax: 530-582-4603 > www.solarwindworks.com > ch...@solarwindworks.com > "Proven Energy Solutions" > > > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: > re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Mark Westbrock > *Sent:* Friday, May 07, 2010 10:33 AM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase performance > > > > The over-reporting of energy that Randy refers to below was much higher > than any discrepancy based on monitoring resolution. We have a pyranometer > at the site, and Enphase reported energy production as high as 38% higher > that predicted from irradiance data, as well as 38% higher than the string > inverter portion of the same system. Individual microinverters showed > instantaneous power output as high as 285 W from a nominal 190 W unit. > > Enphase explained that there was a software glitch that was resulting in > "double counting". It took them over two months to correct this issue, time > which is lost from our experimental comparison of string vs. microinverter. > They indicated that this seemed to be an isolated situation, but I wonder > how
Re: [RE-wrenches] Solmetric Suneye 210
Do those apps have location specific info that will translate percentage sky blockage into percent annual solar energy so it can be used for PV calculations? Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Thu, May 13, 2010 at 10:40 AM, Jeff Oldham wrote: > You should also take a look at the slick app for a iPhone or iPod Touch (if > you don't need or want the phone), it is called "SunTracker" and was > recently purchased by Solmetric (if you can't beat 'em buy 'em!). Also the > "Sun Seeker" app is very nice and also gives you shadow path ratio and > length for any given day and hour. For under $250 you can get all of this > and much, much more. > > -jeff > > >From the Solar, Wind and Hydro powered office of Jeff Oldham/Regenerative > SOLutions > > > Penny Stock Jumping 2000% > Sign up to the #1 voted penny stock newsletter for free today! > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/4bec3a04eb5bd4bef0dst02vuc > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] GT 3.0 FAILURES
I installed several a couple years ago and had an average of one failure per installed inverter. Tech support wasn't particularly helpful and a couple of the replacements took months to be shipped. Customers aren't very understanding of systems being down for 4-5 months. We no longer use any Xantrex GT. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 11:22 AM, i2p wrote: > SORRY FOR THE BLANK, > > > I am replacing some GT 3.0 multiple times. Though Xantrex pays the labor, > this is still a crummy deal. My customers really loose confidence the 2nd > and 3rd time , Bad for industry and my company. > > Question, how many other installers are experiencing multiple failures with > the GT series. I have a bad feeling that they are not addressing the > engineering problems and just replacing parts and shipping the same old > problem back to the field. > > Don > Offline Solar > > ___ > 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
[RE-wrenches] Tigo
We haven't used any of these yet but I'm considering it. Anyone have any experience they can share? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 ___ 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
[RE-wrenches] Module Degradation - voltage or current?
Hi Wrenches, Does anyone know what percentage of module degradation over time is voltage and what is current? I'm wanting to make sure we give ourselves plenty of breathing room on the minimum Vmp of the inverters over the long term so need to try to anticipate how much voltage we'll lose on the array over 30 years. Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Module Degradation - voltage or current?
Thanks for the info everyone. Bill's Solar Pro article notes that min Vmp on inverters is affected by grid voltage. Is that universally true or just for some inverters? Does that mean that models that work on 240VAC and 208VAC have different min Vmp? I rarely see inverter DC input specs listed differently for different AC voltages. Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 3:53 PM, Bill Brooks wrote: > Folks, > > > > Voc does not degrade as much as Isc, but neither is key. > > > > Both Vmp and Imp degrade. We call this a degradation of Fill Factor. This > happens with all PV systems and the degradation rates for current and > voltage are very similar. > > > > Imp and Isc degrade because less light gets to the cell from etching > glass, yellowing encapsulant and IR coating on cells changing. > > > > Vmp changes because of increased contact resistance of conductors on the > cells and other contact points. Voc is unimpacted by contact resistance > since there is no current flow. > > > > Bill. > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On > Behalf Of *Ray Walters > *Sent:* Wednesday, June 04, 2014 11:30 AM > > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Module Degradation - voltage or current? > > > > I agree that Voc doesn't seem to degrade as much. I've had a chance to > measure several modules over 20 years old, and the Voc is only dropping > about 1/2 the rate suggested by others here. I think a more appropriate > number might be 0.25% V drop/ year. > > R.Ray Walters > > CTO, Solarray, Inc > > Nabcep Certified PV Installer, > > Licensed Master Electrician > > Solar Design Engineer > > 303 505-8760 > > On 6/4/2014 11:36 AM, Nathan Charles wrote: > > So I read this paper, Smith, R. M., Jordan, D. C., & Kurtz, S. R. (2012). > Outdoor PV Module Degradation of Current-Voltage Parameters, which seems to > seems to suggest that Voc doesn't degrade like Isc degrades. Based on that > and other data I've seen it seems like panels that degrade at 0.5%/year are > outliers on the low side. > > > > Thoughts from other wrenches? > > > > > > > > On Tue, Jun 3, 2014 at 11:59 PM, Bill Hoffer wrote: > > Dana > > > > Bill Brooks, passed on past data, ( correct me Bill if I am out of date > here) recommends 1% Power loss per year with approximately 0.5% current and > 0.5%voltage. That is also what Solar Energy International Best Practices > curriculum recommends. Based on some newer data from larger projects > requiring testing to actually determine those values for the Bankability > requirements ( PVsyst PAN files), I believe we are seeing lower numbers > than that now. In general, quality of modules are higher than the older > modules. We of course are usually not privy to those results and may not > even be getting the same level of binning for small residential projects as > the MW projects do. 0.5% V loss per year seems like a like a good > conservative number to me, especially if you add a little buffer (1-2%) in > there. > > > > Bill > > > > On Tue, Jun 3, 2014 at 3:41 PM, Dana Brandt > wrote: > > Hi Wrenches, > > Does anyone know what percentage of module degradation over time is > voltage and what is current? I'm wanting to make sure we give ourselves > plenty of breathing room on the minimum Vmp of the inverters over the long > term so need to try to anticipate how much voltage we'll lose on the array > over 30 years. > > Thanks, > > Dana > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.318.7646 > > > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > > > > -- > > William Hoffer > > 161 SE Fourth Ave > > P.O. Box 1823 > White Salmon, WA 98672-1823 > suneng...@gmail.com > > > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
[RE-wrenches] Pathfinder vs. Suneye
Hi Wrenches, We've been using the Pathfinder along with the Pathfinder Assistant software for several years and mostly like it. My concern with it is there's no way to combine two or three shading images to account for a string of modules spanning those different shading conditions. I've spoken with the Pathfinder folks and they don't seem to understand or acknowledge that limitation. How have you dealt with this? So I bought a Suneye. Their software can apparently calculate string shading including multiple solar access readings. I took both the Pathfinder and the Suneye out on my next site assessment and have run the results of side by side measurements. The Suneye is showing about 10-15% better solar access for each measurement that the Pathfinder Assistant software. I'm concerned to see such different numbers. Has anyone else done a side by side comparison? What have you seen? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Pathfinder vs. Suneye
Hi Allen, Thanks for the assessment. I think that makes a lot of sense. I prefer to be conservative with my grid-tied numbers, too. Maybe I'll just round down the Suneye projections. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 3:38 PM, Allan Sindelar wrote: > Dana, > I'm not going to answer your question directly, but rather I'd like to add > to Ray's comments. In short. use the SunEye for grid tie work; use the > Pathfinder for off grid. If you don't do off grid (most installers don't > any more, if they ever did) don't bother with the Pathfinder. Off grid > seldom if ever deals with multiple roof angles, as modules aren't typically > mounted on roofs. > > Details: > 1. Grid tie is competitive, so you want the most accurate estimate of > production. I believe the SunEye is more accurate, or at least more > "liberal" in its output. > 2. Your competitors will most likely use the SunEye, so you'll need to > offer its level of apparent professionalism, as well as match their output > projections. > 3. For off grid, I want the inherent conservatism of the Pathfinder; for > grid-tie, not so much. I have almost zero history of customers' off grid > systems being undersized, in large part because of the inherent > conservatism of the Pathfinder, combined with our 37º latitude, as Ray > mentioned (meaning we're at the outer edge of the 6º latitude template > spread), and also combined with our high-elevation, dry-air insolation > often exceeding the standard 1,000 w/m2. Together this meant that my > systems typically and routinely exceeded their projected output. Nobody has > ever complained about that. > 4. Grid tie customers never go on the roof with the designer/salesperson > to look at a sunpath chart. They just want the results - a PV system that > looks good and saves them money. Off gridders are usually way more involved > in the design and customer education process. The Pathfinder sunpath chart > is so simple to read that doing charts while picking an array site is a > shared part of the educational part of the design/sales process. So it > leads to the treasured "ah-hah!" moment when the client really gets what's > going on, and gets fully engaged in the design of "their" system in the > process. > > They're two different tools serving completely different purposes. I > prefer the analog nature of the Pathfinder, but not for the usual and > predictable reasons. > > Allan Sindelar > www.sindelarsolar.com > > *Allan Sindelar* > al...@sindelarsolar.com > NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional > NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional > New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician > Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc. > *505 780-2738 <505%20780-2738> cell* > > > On 10/28/2014 3:32 PM, Ray Walters wrote: > > I've not done a side by side comparison, but the Pathfinder seems to be > slightly conservative, especially depending on which latitude sheet you are > using. I sometimes switch sheets and try both, when the latitude is close > to falling between (ie 37 deg, and there is 37 to 43 sheet or a 31 to 37 > sheet) Checking against actual sun locations at the solstices, it seems > to be close, but I think they would rather err on the side of caution. > I've used the Path finders for decades, and find them ideal for discussing > shading issues on site with the customer, as every one can look at it at > the same time. > For more complicated shading analysis, I can see the Suneye being more > useful. Depending on the situation, I could see using both, but the > Pathfinder is better for off grid, as we don't have accurate insolation > values at these remote locations, so detailed analysis has limited value > anyway. We're primarily looking at which trees need to be trimmed. > > R.Ray Walters > CTO, Solarray, Inc > Nabcep Certified PV Installer, > Licensed Master Electrician > Solar Design Engineer303 505-8760 > > On 10/28/2014 3:19 PM, Dana Brandt wrote: > > Hi Wrenches, > > We've been using the Pathfinder along with the Pathfinder Assistant > software for several years and mostly like it. My concern with it is > there's no way to combine two or three shading images to account for a > string of modules spanning those different shading conditions. I've spoken > with the Pathfinder folks and they don't seem to understand or acknowledge > that limitation. How have you dealt with this? > > So I bought a Suneye. Their software can apparently calculate string > shading including multiple solar access readings. >
Re: [RE-wrenches] Pathfinder vs. Suneye
Hi William, I like that idea a lot. If you went through and subtracted off the shaded numbers for each of the Pathfinder readings on the same spreadsheet you could get the cumulative shading for a string across those reading locations. The Pathfinder Assistant should be able to do that, too. I like to use the Assistant Software so I can account for pitch and orientation. If there's a big tree to the east but my roof is facing west the shading won't count for much. With the manual Pathfinder it's tough to put a number to that, but the Assistant software can do it. It just won't allow for string shading. Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 10:48 PM, William Miller wrote: > Dana: > > > > You can evaluate multiple points with a Pathfinder, thusly: > > > > 1.In case you were not aware, the little numbers in between the hours > add up to 100% over a day. > > 2.Create a spreadsheet with all of the numbers present. Make it > mimic the layout on the Pathfinder. > > 3.For any given sample, you delete all of the numbers that correspond > to shading. This is easily done by viewing the image of the pathfinder and > lassoing and deleting the shaded numbers until the spreadsheet looks like > the Pathfinder. > > 4.The remainder is the sun exposure percentage for the month. > > 5.You take shading analysis samples at all of the points you desire. > > 6.You calculate each point separately and then average the results > for the different points on a month-by-month basis. > > 7.See example spreadsheet below for one point with no shading. > > > > Like any worthwhile project, this takes some time to set up, but it is > then pretty effortless to use. There is no cost for this do=it-yourself > approach. > > > > William > > > > Example: > > (Note the rows in the Pathfinder are not in chronological order. Your > formulae will compensate for that.) > > > > > > [image: Gradient Cap_mini] > Lic 773985 > millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> > 805-438-5600 > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On > Behalf Of *Dana Brandt > *Sent:* Tuesday, October 28, 2014 2:20 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Pathfinder vs. Suneye > > > > Hi Wrenches, > > We've been using the Pathfinder along with the Pathfinder Assistant > software for several years and mostly like it. My concern with it is > there's no way to combine two or three shading images to account for a > string of modules spanning those different shading conditions. I've spoken > with the Pathfinder folks and they don't seem to understand or acknowledge > that limitation. How have you dealt with this? > > So I bought a Suneye. Their software can apparently calculate string > shading including multiple solar access readings. > > I took both the Pathfinder and the Suneye out on my next site assessment > and have run the results of side by side measurements. The Suneye is > showing about 10-15% better solar access for each measurement that the > Pathfinder Assistant software. I'm concerned to see such different numbers. > Has anyone else done a side by side comparison? What have you seen? > > > > Thanks, > > Dana > > Dana Brandt > > > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Code reference request
I think I'm a bit confused on this point. I can't seem to find the code that specifically exempts the GEC requirement for inverters of ungrounded PV systems. The only exception I can find is only for AC PV modules (2014 NEC 690.47 (C) ). I just looked in the installation manual for Solectria's new TL inverters and found this: "Per NEC 690.47, a GEC must be installed, and the Grounding Electrode Terminal (GET) conductor must be sized in accordance with NEC article 250.166." What am I missing? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 11:30 AM, Rebekah Hren wrote: > If you are on 2014: > 690.47(B) > > An ac equipment grounding system shall be permitted > > to be used for equipment grounding of inverters and other > > equipment *and for the ground-fault detection reference for * > *ungrounded PV systems.* > > and 690.47(C)(3) > > *For ungrounded systems, this con**ductor shall be sized in accordance > with 250.122 *and shall > > not be required to be larger than the largest ungrounded > > phase conductor. > > On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 2:22 PM, Gary Willett < > g...@icarussolarservices.com> wrote: > >> Kirk: >> >> A DC grounding electrode conductor (GEC) is not required for inverters >> that do NOT have a ground reference for the PV+ and PV- conductor(s) from >> the PV array. >> >> A GEC is not required if the string inverter is one of the new TL >> (transformerless) types. Also, this applies to micro-inverters such as the >> new Enphase M250 and later versions of the M215. >> >> Where this applies, only a properly sized equipment grounding conductor >> (EGC) is required. >> >> The EGC is sized according to [NEC 690.45] and can be a minimum of #14AWG >> when not exposed to damage, or #6AWG when exposed to potential damage. >> >> Regards, >> >> Gary Willett PE >> Icarus Engineering LLC >> >> >> On 10/28/14, 12:53 PM, Kirk wrote: >> >>> Hi, >>> I'm on a jobsite without my code book. Could someone tell me where in >>> the code ungrounded systems do not require the inverter GEC? Basically my >>> onsite electrician doesn't believe me. Thanks. >>> >>> Kirk Herander >>> VSE >>> ___ >>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>> >>> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >>> >>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches. >>> org/maillist.html >>> >>> List rules & etiquette: >>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>> >>> Check out or update participant bios: >>> www.members.re-wrenches.org >>> >>> >> ___ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches. >> org/maillist.html >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> > > > -- > Tel: 336.266.8800 > http://o2energies.com/ > Project Engineer > NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™ 091209-85 > NC Licensed Electrical Contractor > > This message, together with any attachments, is intended only for the > named recipient(s). It may contain confidential or privileged information > that may be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not > the intended recipient(s), you are notified that the disclosure, > dissemination, distribution, copying, storing, or other use of the contents > of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. If you receive > this message in error, or are not the named recipient(s), please notify the > sender at either the email address or telephone number above and delete > this email from your computer. Thank you. > > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wre
Re: [RE-wrenches] Code reference request
Thanks for the reply and article, August. John Wiles's article makes a clear statement that the GEC is not required for TL inverters. I wish the code would say it that clearly! I think I'm going to have a tough time convincing inspectors the GEC isn't required with such unclear language in the code. We'll see Thanks again! Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 12:45 PM, August Goers wrote: > Hi Dana, > > > > This is still a confusing issue, I agree. This article helps a bit: > > > > http://www.nmsu.edu/~tdi/pdf-resources/IAEI%20Mar_Apr%202012.pdf > > > > If you look in a SMA TL inverter installation manual, for example, they > only mention equipment grounds – there is no reference to a GEC that I can > find. The 2014 code doesn’t seem to have clear wording on not requiring a > GEC to me but Rebekah’s recap below is spot on. Luckily it is widely > accepted in our neck of the woods that TL inverters don’t need GECs. > > > > I’m not familiar with the Solectria TL product. It sounds like it will be > best to call them if you need to install one of their inverters. > > > > Best, > > > > August > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On > Behalf Of *Dana Brandt > *Sent:* Monday, November 03, 2014 12:06 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Code reference request > > > > I think I'm a bit confused on this point. I can't seem to find the code > that specifically exempts the GEC requirement for inverters of ungrounded > PV systems. The only exception I can find is only for AC PV modules (2014 > NEC 690.47 (C) ). > > I just looked in the installation manual for Solectria's new TL inverters > and found this: > "Per NEC 690.47, a GEC must be installed, and the Grounding Electrode > Terminal (GET) conductor must be sized in accordance with NEC article > 250.166." > > What am I missing? > > Thanks, > > > Dana > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.318.7646 > > > > On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 11:30 AM, Rebekah Hren < > rebekah.h...@o2energies.com> wrote: > > If you are on 2014: > > 690.47(B) > > An ac equipment grounding system shall be permitted > > to be used for equipment grounding of inverters and other > > equipment *and for the ground-fault detection reference for * > > *ungrounded PV systems.* > > > > and 690.47(C)(3) > > *For ungrounded systems, this conductor shall be sized in accordance with > 250.122 *and shall > > not be required to be larger than the largest ungrounded > > phase conductor. > > > > On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 2:22 PM, Gary Willett < > g...@icarussolarservices.com> wrote: > > Kirk: > > A DC grounding electrode conductor (GEC) is not required for inverters > that do NOT have a ground reference for the PV+ and PV- conductor(s) from > the PV array. > > A GEC is not required if the string inverter is one of the new TL > (transformerless) types. Also, this applies to micro-inverters such as the > new Enphase M250 and later versions of the M215. > > Where this applies, only a properly sized equipment grounding conductor > (EGC) is required. > > The EGC is sized according to [NEC 690.45] and can be a minimum of #14AWG > when not exposed to damage, or #6AWG when exposed to potential damage. > > Regards, > > Gary Willett PE > Icarus Engineering LLC > > > > On 10/28/14, 12:53 PM, Kirk wrote: > > Hi, > I'm on a jobsite without my code book. Could someone tell me where in the > code ungrounded systems do not require the inverter GEC? Basically my > onsite electrician doesn't believe me. Thanks. > > Kirk Herander > VSE > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >
Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
Hi Jason, We've used Unirac for years but have been contemplating Ironridge. I'm curious what your experience was and why you went back to Unirac? Anyone else have input on best racking systems for flush-mounted residential systems on comp roof? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 12:09 PM, Jason Szumlanski wrote: > By Snap N Rack, you mean Sun Run... > > > http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/05/sunrun-acquires-rec-solars-residential-business-aee-solar-snapnrack-means/ > > I'm curious if these vertical integrators will still make their acquired > brands available to small dealers through distribution. When SolarCity > snatched up Zep, I had concerns about being able to service or add onto > existing Zep systems we installed. That's definitely a concern going > forward, and reason to perhaps stick with the most compatible racking > solutions available. We used IronRidge for a while, which is largely > compatible with Unirac, but now we're back on the Unirac bandwagon. > > Interesting times... > > > Jason Szumlanski > > Fafco Solar > > > > On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 12:45 PM, Max Balchowsky wrote: > >> We have been using Snap N' Rack for a while, Have lots of installs in >> Hawaii - so far no problems, I like the convenience of the design for >> snapping in the slider nut in mid rail, and also the ability to install the >> panels flush with the end of the rails…. >> >> Max Balchowsky >> Design Engineer >> SEE Systems >> 1048 Irvine Ave Suite 217 >> Newport Beach, Ca. 92660 >> 760-403-6810 >> "Building a Better Future For The Next Generation" >> >> -- >> *From:* Allen Frishman >> *To:* RE-wrenches >> *Sent:* Wednesday, February 5, 2014 6:17 AM >> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack >> >> I am curious about the mid clamps on the snapnrack. The flange that >> rests on top of the solar panel frame is so small ~ 3/16".Anyone >> experience any problems with these failing in a big storm?With solar >> panel frames not being square it is nice to have a little extra to grab - I >> am always curious as to why these clips are made with such a small area to >> hold the panels down. >> >> All feedback on these clips is appreciated. >> *Al Frishman* >> AeonSolar >> *(917) 699-6641 - cell* >> *(888) 460-2867* >> *www.aeonsolar.com <http://www.aeonsolar.com/>* >> >> On Jun 1, 2013, at 10:41 AM, Max Balchowsky wrote: >> >> Have installed last three systems (35Kw)with snap n rack. >> love it >> >> Max Balchowsky >> Design Engineer >> SEE Systems >> 1048 Irvine Ave Suite 217 >> Newport Beach, Ca. 92660 >> 760-403-6810 >> "Building a Better Future For The Next Generation" >> >> -- >> *From:* Solarguy >> *To:* 'RE-wrenches' >> *Sent:* Friday, May 31, 2013 10:11 PM >> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack >> >> The only complaint with the Snapnrack rails is the thin wall can easily >> be distorted. This will allow the nut to drop out of its groove. Love the >> universal end clamps but have learned to assemble every one to check for >> proper fit before getting on the roof. >> Jim Duncan >> -Original Message- >> From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: >> re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake >> Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 7:32 PM >> To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> Subject: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack >> >> Hello Wrenches, >> >> How would you rate the SnapNrack mounting systems against Unirac and >> other mounting systems? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Drake >> >> ___ >> 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] getting PV modules up to the roof
Hi Wrenches, I'm curious if anyone has updates to this thread 3 years later. What are people using to lift modules to the roof? I've been looking at ladder hoists online and wondering how well they'd work in practice. Any experience or advice? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 10:44 AM, August Goers wrote: > Hi Wrenches, > > > > I imagine that all of us working in rooftop PV have put some good hard > thought on the best way to get the modules up to the roof. There are > various lifts on the market, you can hoist them with ropes manually, or > walk them up a ladder (sling them over your back). I find that the majority > of our competition in the Bay Area walks panels up the ladder for > residential projects. What is your feeling about OSHA compliance of doing > this? > > > > Best, > > > > > > August > > 415.559.1525 > > ___ > 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 Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
[RE-wrenches] Sub Panel Mounted on Roof Slope
Hi Wrenches, Does anyone know of a 480VAC panelboard that can be mounted flush to a 10 degree pitched roof as opposed to vertically? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Sub Panel Mounted on Roof Slope
Thanks, Kirk. I understand that if a panel isn't list for other than vertical mounting we can't lay it down. I was hoping a wrench may know of a panel that *is* listed for other than vertical mounting. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Wed, Sep 28, 2016 at 2:15 PM, Kirk Herander wrote: > Correction: I meant “other than vertical” in last email, not horizontal. > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On > Behalf Of *Dana Brandt > *Sent:* Tuesday, September 27, 2016 7:30 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Sub Panel Mounted on Roof Slope > > > > Hi Wrenches, > > > > Does anyone know of a 480VAC panelboard that can be mounted flush to a 10 > degree pitched roof as opposed to vertically? > > > > Thanks, > > > Dana > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.318.7646 > > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.or > g/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Metal roofs
Anyone have any experience with Sunmodo's EZ Mount L-Foot for Metal Roofs for this application? http://www.sunmodo.com/featured-products.html It looks like it might be a little more robust than EcoFasten's Simple Seal. My fear with either of these versus an adhesive is that they're reliant on compression on the rubber for the rest of time in order to stay water tight. It seems to me that an adhesive might still hold water better if things loosen up a bit over the next 30 years. Eternabond has been recommended here in the past for this. Thoughts? Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Wed, Nov 23, 2011 at 4:37 AM, Rich Nicol wrote: > Hi Ian > I second Daryl's suggestion of Ecofasten products. They have high quality > solutions and are great at offering support to work through challenging > installs. > Thanks > Rich > > > -Original Message- > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of > penobscotso...@midmaine.com > Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 2:03 PM > To: RE-wrenches > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Metal roofs > > Ian, > We have been using this companies products for the last couple of years > on different types of metal roofs with success (so far). Look at the > variety of products they have for different roofing: > > http://www.ecofastensolar.com/our-products/eco-series > > Daryl DeJoy > NABCEP Certified PV installer > Penobscot Solar Design > > > > > > Wrenches. > > I have a nuts and bolts question concerning preferred attachment methods > > on > > metal roofs that do not have standing seams. Obviously any seam presents > > the opportunity to use a product like S-5!, and I have also used their > > product on corrugated roofs. But on roofs with either a hexagonal shaped > > ridge or just a single ridge I have seen products at the shows but have > > slightly less familiarity with them. > > Any thoughts & insight would be very much appreciated. > > Take care, > > Ian > > > > -- > > *Ian Eastman *| Installation/Project Management > > *GO SOLAR!* > > *Cell: 307.413.6789* . *i...@creativeenergies.biz* > > * **Creative Energies* > > *Victor, ID *office 208.354.3001 > > Lander, WY office* *307.332.3410* > > *Salt Lake City, UT office 801.487.6489 > > * *www.CreativeEnergies.biz <http://www.creativeenergies.biz/> > > ___ > > 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 > > > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Multiple angle conundrum
Howie is absolutely right. Strings with different orientations on the same MPPT are not a problem. Modules with different orientations on the same string is a big problem. Search the archives here and you'll find a good discussion on this. The short version is that voltage is a function of temp, which won't change much based on orientation and the MPPT will favor the strings with better orientation at any given time because they're making more power. We have a system with 6 strings on each of two opposite facing roofs. One Sunny Boy has four strings from one side, one has four from the other and a third has two from each side. The one with two from each side produces the exact average of the other two. The theory works! Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Wed, Apr 4, 2012 at 11:39 AM, Howie Michaelson wrote: > My understanding is that if all the modules in a string have the same tilt > and azimuth, the MPPT "hit" is nominal with 2 strings of differing angles. > Particularly, if they have the same azimuth, their voltages will be close > to identical almost regardless of pitch, and therefore the current from > the different strings will be virtually cumulative and therefore not a > problem. However if there is differential shading on strings functionally > being combined, then you have a cumulative problem. In that case, that is > where separate MPPT algorithms (via multiple MPPT inputs in a single > inverter, or separate string inverters, or micro inverters/optimizers) > become useful and appropriate. > > > Others please chime in to correct me if needed. > > Howie > -- > Howie Michaelson > NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ > > Catamount Solar, LLC > Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service > VT Solar Electric & Hot Water Incentive Partner > http://www.CatamountSolar.com > 802-272-0004 > > > On Wed, April 4, 2012 12:38 pm, Kirpal Khalsa wrote: > > Hiltonthere are a couple ways to approach this.There are some > > string inverters with multiple MPPT inputseach different slope of > roof > > would be installed into its own input.the other way is to use micro > > inverters or other individual module optimizersin which case you are > > completely free from mismatched orientation and slope constraints. > > If you are looking to use a single MPPT channel string inverter you may > > consider splitting the arrays and having two single string inverters one > > for each tilt angleThat said the tilt angle difference feeding the > > same > > inverter does not have as big of a negative impact as if the sub arrays > > are > > facing different directions > > good luck, > > Kirpal Khalsa > > > > On Wed, Apr 4, 2012 at 9:14 AM, Hilton Dier III > > wrote: > > > >> Wrenches, > >> > >> I am talking with a potential client about a roof mounted PV array. The > >> client has a reasonably large south facing roof, but it is broken up by > >> a > >> large (18' W x 16' H) shed dormer. The roof is 10:12 and the dormer is > >> 6:12. > >> I designed a layout that gave the dormer some room to avoid shading. The > >> client was disappointed by how much wattage I could get on his roof. I > >> pointed out that installing modules in the shade of the dormer was a bad > >> idea. > >> > >> He is also talking to another installer. The other installer proposed > >> installing part of the array on the 10:12 roof and part on the 6:12 > >> dormer. > >> The client had already asked me about that and I gave him a rudimentary > >> explanation of maximum power point tracking and the inefficiency of such > >> an > >> arrangement. He asked them about that and their guy said "No big deal." > >> He > >> is still considering the two-angle scenario. > >> > >> So, how much efficiency will he lose by going with two angles? It seems > >> like the ultimate MPPT design error to me, but I don't have a number for > >> him to make my case. I suppose it all comes down to cents per delivered > >> kWh > >> in the end, but two different roof angles seems the the wrong way to go. > >> I'd like to be able to give him a definitive idea of what he would be > >> sacrificing with that scenario. > >> > >> Side note: The other installer is using the new Sunpower E20 modules. > >> They > >> seem to be available only from the manufacturer. Anybody have a source? > >> Has > >> anybody used them yet? Do the
[RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps
We just finished installing a system on SolarMount and the client is unhappy with how the ends of the SolarMount rail look. She says it looks unfinished and is concerned about bees nesting in them. I know there are other rail products with more finished looking ends but this system is already fully installed. Unirac has endcaps for the SunFrame, but those aren't compatible with SolarMount. Anyone run into this before? Thoughts on solutions? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps
Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. I suggested filing the ends with grey caulk, but the homeowner didn't like that idea. I think I'm leaning toward finding some aluminum channel or angle to fit over the end and either glue or screw it on. Mark - Did you find rectangular vinyl caps? I checked out caplugs, but couldn't find anything that looked like it would work. Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Mon, Aug 13, 2012 at 6:24 AM, Mark Richardson < mrichard...@newyorklightenergy.com> wrote: > We had to find end caps for a ground mount that was used as part of an > environmental learning center. > > I was able to get vinyl end caps that worked online from caplugs ( > http://www.caplugs.com/). > > A little silicone to seal the deal… > > ** ** > > [image: Description: Description: Description: NYLElogo] > > *Mark Richardson* > > mrichard...@newyorklightenergy.com > > ** ** > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: > re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of * > hol...@sbcglobal.net > *Sent:* Saturday, August 11, 2012 10:05 AM > *To:* RE-wrenches > > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps > > ** ** > > just throwing this outaluminum angle attached to ends - run between > rail ends (each pair)? aluminum flat bar? closes ends and gives a trimmed > look? Maybe use 24 or 22ga stainless than can be bent to form an angle? ask > client to cover material cost as that is "custom" work beyond typical scope > of build. > > Holt E. Kelly > Holtek Fireplace & Solar Products > 500 Jewell Dr. > Waco TX. 76712 > 254-751-9111 > www.holteksolar.com > > - Original Message - > > *From:* Maverick Brown [Maverick Solar] > > *To:* 'RE-wrenches' > > *Sent:* Friday, August 10, 2012 6:56 PM > > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps > > ** ** > > For the Bee’s sake, just pump some grey silicone caulk into the ends and > scrape flat. ?? > > ** ** > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Dana > Brandt > *Sent:* Friday, August 10, 2012 3:12 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps > > ** ** > > We just finished installing a system on SolarMount and the client is > unhappy with how the ends of the SolarMount rail look. She says it looks > unfinished and is concerned about bees nesting in them. I know there are > other rail products with more finished looking ends but this system is > already fully installed. Unirac has endcaps for the SunFrame, but those > aren't compatible with SolarMount. Anyone run into this before? Thoughts on > solutions? > > Thanks, > > Dana > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.318.7646 > -- > > ___ > 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 > > > ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps
I just bought some Aluminum Trim Channel for 3/4 Plywood and it fits perfectly over the end of the rail. It's very similar to this: http://www.lowes.com/pd_55981-37672-11385_0__?productId=3058185 Thanks everyone your input! Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Mon, Aug 13, 2012 at 5:43 PM, Howie Michaelson wrote: > Haven't looked at how different the profiles are, but IronRidge's light > rail is fairly similar and they make black plastic end caps that you might > be able to make work... > > *Howie Michaelson* > *NABCEP Certified PV Installer* > *Catamount Solar** * > www.catamountsolar.com > *802.272.0004* > * > * > *Sent from my cellphone* > > > Dana Brandt wrote: > > Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. > > I suggested filing the ends with grey caulk, but the homeowner didn't like > that idea. > > I think I'm leaning toward finding some aluminum channel or angle to fit > over the end and either glue or screw it on. > > Mark - Did you find rectangular vinyl caps? I checked out caplugs, but > couldn't find anything that looked like it would work. > > Thanks, > > Dana > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.318.7646 > > > On Mon, Aug 13, 2012 at 6:24 AM, Mark Richardson < > mrichard...@newyorklightenergy.com> wrote: > >> We had to find end caps for a ground mount that was used as part of an >> environmental learning center. >> >> I was able to get vinyl end caps that worked online from caplugs ( >> http://www.caplugs.com/). >> >> A little silicone to seal the deal… >> >> ** ** >> >> [image: Description: Description: Description: NYLElogo] >> >> *Mark Richardson* >> >> mrichard...@newyorklightenergy.com >> >> ** ** >> >> *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: >> re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of * >> hol...@sbcglobal.net >> >> *Sent:* Saturday, August 11, 2012 10:05 AM >> *To:* RE-wrenches >> >> >> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps >> >> ** ** >> >> just throwing this outaluminum angle attached to ends - run between >> rail ends (each pair)? aluminum flat bar? closes ends and gives a trimmed >> look? Maybe use 24 or 22ga stainless than can be bent to form an angle? ask >> client to cover material cost as that is "custom" work beyond typical scope >> of build. >> >> Holt E. Kelly >> Holtek Fireplace & Solar Products >> 500 Jewell Dr. >> Waco TX. 76712 >> 254-751-9111 >> www.holteksolar.com >> >> - Original Message - >> >> *From:* Maverick Brown [Maverick Solar] >> >> *To:* 'RE-wrenches' >> >> *Sent:* Friday, August 10, 2012 6:56 PM >> >> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps >> >> ** ** >> >> For the Bee’s sake, just pump some grey silicone caulk into the ends and >> scrape flat. ?? >> >> ** ** >> >> *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org >> [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Dana >> Brandt >> *Sent:* Friday, August 10, 2012 3:12 PM >> *To:* RE-wrenches >> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps >> >> ** ** >> >> We just finished installing a system on SolarMount and the client is >> unhappy with how the ends of the SolarMount rail look. She says it looks >> unfinished and is concerned about bees nesting in them. I know there are >> other rail products with more finished looking ends but this system is >> already fully installed. Unirac has endcaps for the SunFrame, but those >> aren't compatible with SolarMount. Anyone run into this before? Thoughts on >> solutions? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Dana >> >> Dana Brandt >> Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC >> www.ecotechenergy.com >> d...@ecotechenergy.com >> 360.318.7646 >> -- >> >> ___ >> 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 >> &g
Re: [RE-wrenches] Ballasted Roof Racking Recommendations?
We just did a system on 10 degree AET and liked it. I think they have a 30 degree option. I'd be worried about inter-row shading, though. The DPW POWER-FAB BRM has more flexibility with row spacing, but I found it to be pretty expensive. Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 1:56 PM, Glenn Burt wrote: > Hi Ryan, > > ** ** > > We have used the AET Rayport stainless steel ballasted racking system on > dozens of installations and have been quite satisfied with the light > ballast required (all open racking), integral module grounding, lightweight > of materials (pressed stainless steel) and quickness of assembly. > > ** ** > > http://aetenergy.com/products/RAYPORT-B-solar-mount-solution > > ** ** > > Glenn Burt > > glb, Consulting Company > > ** ** > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: > re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Ryan Harkins > *Sent:* Tuesday, August 28, 2012 2:32 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Ballasted Roof Racking Recommendations? > > ** ** > > Anyone have recommendations for a ballasted roof racking manufacturer? > Tilts of 30-degrees or more would be best. > > ** ** > > *Ryan Harkins** > NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer / > Project Manager* > > > > > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Power line communications interference
Enphase recommends this ferrite toroid you can put on the lines to the pump to filter out the noise: http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?vendor=0&keywords=Epcos%20B64290L0082X087&cur=USD Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Thu, Aug 23, 2012 at 2:51 PM, August Goers wrote: > William, > > You might try calling Enphase again. I was discussing a similar issue with > them recently and they said that they have a noise filter option for > handling noisy lines. As with all tech support, some representatives are > better than others. > > -August > > > August Goers > > Luminalt Energy Corporation > m: 415.559.1525 > o: 415.641.4000 > aug...@luminalt.com > > > -Original Message- > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William > Miller > Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 10:32 AM > To: RE-wrenches > Subject: [RE-wrenches] Power line communications interference > > Friends: > > In the old days of the Sunny Boy Control Light we battled problems with > power line communications due to interference from external sources. I am > now troubleshooting a problem with and Enphase Envoy. I have spoken to > Tech Support several ties about this. I was told I need to move the Envoy > out to the array, not an elegant solution. > > Never once was it suggested that interference could be the problem but it > turns out when we turn off a pond pump the system communicates flawlessly. > Have any of you dealt with this? If so, what have you done to remedy the > problem? > > William > > Miller Solar > Voice :805-438-5600 > email: will...@millersolar.com > http://millersolar.com > License No. C-10-773985 > > ___ > 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 > > ___ 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
[RE-wrenches] Davis Bacon
Hi all, What Davis Bacon federal wage categories do you use for different aspects of installation? Electrician is obvious for direct electrical work, but how about roof penetrations and rails? Moving and placing ballast blocks? Modules? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 ___ 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
[RE-wrenches] Wasps
Hi Wrenches, I have a client who has developed quite a problem with wasps behind her array. Does anyone have experience getting rid of them? I'm afraid of the possibility of sprays damaging the backsheet. Is that a legitimate concern? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps
Thanks for the input everyone. She's pretty set on getting rid of them. I'll recommend hosing them down with water at night. I think she's going to want to go chemical, though. I'd love to hear anyone's experience with sprays damaging the backsheet or not. Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 11:13 AM, Dana Brandt wrote: > Hi Wrenches, > > I have a client who has developed quite a problem with wasps behind her > array. Does anyone have experience getting rid of them? I'm afraid of the > possibility of sprays damaging the backsheet. Is that a legitimate concern? > > Thanks, > > Dana > > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > d...@ecotechenergy.com > 360.318.7646 > ___ 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
[RE-wrenches] trouble shooting system with Sun Tie
Hi all, I was called out this week to trouble shoot a system I didn't install. It's a five year old 1.44kW system with the following: Sun Tie ST 1500 inverter and 12 Astro Power modules. It only produced 634kWh last year. With our sun here, the shading, orientation, equipment, etc. it should have produced around 1123kWh. I've heard a lot about Sun Tie failures, but don't know the details. What are the common failure modes? Is it likely that a failure of the Sun Tie would leave it operating, but only producing half what it should? When I showed up the system was producing 950W on a relatively sunny day - seemed pretty reasonable. After restarting the inverter it only produced around 150W. Is the MPPT very, very slow to find that sweet spot, or what was going on there? The system is comprised of three strings of 4 modules each. When I was there all three strings were producing about the same current, so that leads me to believe it's not a module failure. To make things more fun, the modules were installed at two different orientations. One string is at 38d slope, 30d east of true south, while the other two are at 36d slope, 75k east of true south. This certainly has a detrimental impact on the performance, but it doesn't seem to me that it could account for all of that energy loss. Thoughts? Thanks a lot! Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] 360.510.0433 ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] grid-tie inverters & generators
Hey Kelly, I think that's probably the best solution. I don't think it should be necessary with Sunny Boys in gridtied system, but it's certainly the safest bet. I'm not sure if all SB's come with the right firmware, or if it's a special option, but they can be programmed to allow for a wide grid frequency window. This is used in the AC coupled arrangement with the Sunny Island. When the Sunny Island's batteries are full it starts to raise the grid frequency slightly. The SB's read this as an instruction to reduce their output and pull their arrays off MPP. At a defined frequency, the SB's shut down entirely. So, the stories of SB's frying generators in off grid, AC coupled systems makes me think that the tight frequency window required for grid-tied systems had been replaced by the wider window used for communication with the Sunny Island. It was one of the first prototypes of these systems so it might be a little different now, but I installed a system that allowed the SI supported grid to range from 50Hz all the way up to 54Hz before the SB's shut down. That could allow quite a bit of backfeeding of the generator and might explain the generators being fried in these SI/SB AC coupled systems. I would think that with regular gridtied SB's they'd shut down before damaging the generator. Bottom line, though, I'd probably install the NC relay powered off the generator input to be safe. Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] 360.510.0433 On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 9:57 AM, Kelly Keilwitz, Whidbey Sun & Wind < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > All, > I suppose a normally-closed relay on the inverter output, with coil > energized from the generator (i.e. It opens when the genny is on) might be > easier than a NO relay on the grid-side. Anyone do it this way? > > -Kelly > > > On 11/20/08 9:30 AM, "Kelly Keilwitz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > The relay seems like a reasonable solution. However, if the main panel is > > entirely backed up by the genny, to power the relay from the grid (only) > > requires a line-side tap, yes? Is there a simple solution that I¹m > missing? > > > > > > > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] More on AC coupling
Thanks for the report, Steve. I'm also a huge fan of the European SI. We need to be careful when we start to compare operations across the ocean. The US version of the SI is a bit different from the European version. SMA in Germany decided that the full-featured SI would be too expensive for the US market, so they sent us a stripped down, cheaper version. The US version still has some nice features, but it has some limitations when compared to the full-featured European version. One of the brilliant aspects of the full-featured SI is the multi-master operation. I wrote a little bit on the SI for AC minigrids and the multi-master operation in HP 109 - Oct/Nov 2005. It's frustrating to me that SMA hasn't UL listed a full-featured SI for us in the States, but they must figure it doesn't make financial sense for them. Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] 360.510.0433 On Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 10:20 AM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi Tump, > > Yes, the SI & SB system is all it's cracked up to be! > > I'm not sure what is possible in the US but we've been running a 60kW > Sunny Island system for over a year now which powers the Scottish > Isle of Eigg and uses PV's with Sunny Boys, wind turbines with Windy > Boys, 100kW hydro turbine & back-up diesel generation. Power is > distributed around the island at 3.3kV three-phase using step-up & > step-down transformers. The generation is located at various parts of > the island (as are the houses & loads) with the Sunny Islands/Battery > Store & back-up diesels roughly in the middle. > > See our website for a full description: > http://www.windandsun.co.uk/projects_eigg.htm > > The Sunny Island inverters use 'Frequency Shift Power Control' - > variations in island grid frequency to communicate control signals to > the generation sources and to bonus loads. If the batteries cannot > absorb the renewable power being generated onto the network (if they > are full, or the power generated exceeds the inverter/charger > capacity), the Sunny Island inverters raise the system frequency. > Sunny Boy & Windy Boy inverters are set to 'Off-Grid' mode to respond > to this frequency rise and back off power being fed into the system. > Other renewable generation (eg. hydro turbines) that is able to > respond to this frequency rise to restrict their power output can > also be incorporated in the system. > > The raised frequency can also be used to trigger switching on of > bonus loads when there is surplus renewable energy output. > > The great thing about using this frequency shift for control is that > no communication cabling, special circuits or dedicated switching is > required and distance is no problem. > > The other great thing about using the Sunny Island system is that it > allows use of the Sunny Webbox for remote monitoring. This means > every morning I can check on the internet to see how the system is > performing, view state of charge of batteries, and dial in to change > things if needed. Furthermore, several people can do this at once - > eg. system owners & SMA technical support - so we can all look at > what's been happening and discuss any events. (I'm sure you all know > how useful this can be!) > > As an example the attached Word document shows how the frequency > shift works in practice (Hope it's Ok to send attachments on this > list) > > Regards > Steve Wade > > > > From: "Tump" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "'RE-wrenches'" > > Date sent: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:33:38 -0500 Subject: > Re: > [RE-wrenches] More on AC coupling Send reply to:RE-wrenches > > <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrenches.org?subject=unsubscribe > > > <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > Matt, I have long been interested in installing the SMA SI & SBs but > > I have a VERY tough time selling $9ks worth of inverters, just to > > get things started. In the system below I would not of hesitated in > > installing the SMA SI & SB! I too agree that w/this type of scenario > > described below, I would have given quite a bit of thought to using > > the SMAs. Can't beat the battery charging, no charge controllers & > > expandability. > > Please if there is someone out there that has had experience w/ the > > SMA SI > > & SB let us know if it is all that it is cracked up to be! > > With passport in hand, I offer my help if someone out there has a > > large system like this, that will be using the SI & SB/WB type of > > set up. TUM
[RE-wrenches] building permits for PV
Hi all, Until recently, we've only been required to have an electrical permit for flush-mounted PV systems. The city has now decided to require building permits for all PV systems and wants to come out and inspect our L-feet attachments and rails before the modules can go up. This seems crazy to me. What are other jurisdictions requiring? I'd love some information I can take to the city showing that other jurisdictions aren't requiring this type of process. Thanks a lot, Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] 360.510.0433 ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] building permits for PV
Thanks for all the feedback. Sounds like there's a ton of variation from one jurisdiction to another. Would you all be willing to send me a list of large cities you've worked in that do not require a building permit? I'd like to use that to make a case against the requirement. I just got back from the inspection which verified that - yes indeed, there are L-feet and rails on the roof. Seems pretty silly... Thanks again, Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] 360.510.0433 On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 8:11 AM, Paul Israel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dana, > > > > Firstly we all truly sympathize, I have never heard of that one! > > > > Not one building department - has required that. We have installed in > Oregon, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Reno - Nevada, and Massachusetts. > > > > We are inspected consistently for concrete pours (rebar/pads/ground > mounts/pole mounts). For most roofs in CT we are usually required to have > an Engineers Stamp for the layout relative to the rafter loading. It > depends on the jurisdiction or whether they had their coffee. It is random. > > > > I would try and push the manufacturer's installation instructions or get a > local engineering stamp on the layout as an alternative. > > > > On a lighter note, make sure to leave some exposed wet caulk. After > messing up their car, paperwork, and a couple layers of skin they surely > won't want to do that again. > > > > Good luck and let us know how it works out. > > > > > > > > Paul N. Israel, President > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > www.sunlightsolar.com > > 541/389-3480 (Oregon) > > 203/878-9123 x103 (CT) > > 860/617-6527 (Cell) > -- > > *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *Dana Brandt > *Sent:* Monday, December 08, 2008 5:46 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] building permits for PV > > > > Hi all, > > Until recently, we've only been required to have an electrical permit for > flush-mounted PV systems. The city has now decided to require building > permits for all PV systems and wants to come out and inspect our L-feet > attachments and rails before the modules can go up. This seems crazy to me. > What are other jurisdictions requiring? I'd love some information I can take > to the city showing that other jurisdictions aren't requiring this type of > process. > > Thanks a lot, > > Dana > > -- > Dana Brandt > Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC > www.ecotechenergy.com > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > 360.510.0433 > > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Back feeding battery inverter with grid-tie inverter
I agree that whether you go with AC or DC coupling you'll want to run the DC from the array to the battery inverter location to take advantage of the higher voltage. If you go with AC and the Xantrex XW you'll want to talk with them directly about backfeeding the inverter from the load side. I don't know about their current equipment, but in the past they said not to backfeed them. However, it worked just fine given the H-bridge inverter design. I wouldn't go with a design that works but is not recommended by the manufacturer for a client, though. I'd get Xantrex to ok it first. Do you already have the XW? If not, another option for AC coupling would be to talk with Outback. They've done a few of these systems and can help you put it together. Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Sun, Jan 18, 2009 at 9:31 PM, Jeff Yago wrote: > I know this subject has come up before, but there have been several > different suggested ways to handle the problem and I was hoping for easiest. > We install lots of both on grid and off grid systems. However, we have a > client that will require a ground mounted array much futher away from the > inverter and batteries in the garage than we normally would want to do since > the voltage drop for this long distance would be excessive at low voltage > even with large cables. We have decided to locate a weather-proof sunnyboy > grid-tie inverter at the array, and supply 120/240 volts to the critical > loads sub-panel which is supplied by a Xanrex XW inverter and battery bank > in the garage. I realize there are several design issues here when the grid > is down, since we want the grid-tie inverter to remain on but be blocked > from the grid by the Xantrex inverter. > > The question is, what is the best way to keep a load on the sunnyboy since > it will not be grid connected during an outage. Also, is there a best way > to feed the output from the Sunnyboy to the Xantrex that does not just power > the sub-panel loads during an outage, but also will re-charge the battery > bank through the Xanrex? > > If you back-feed the Xanrex from the sub-panel it is normally supplying > with output from the Sunnyboy, will the Xanrex see this input and think the > grid is up and be able to re-charge the battery bank? > > Will we need any separate transfer switches or power relays? > > Thanks, > > Jeff Yago > > _ > Netscape. Just the Net You Need. > ___ > 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] prevailing wages
Washington doesn't have a PV installer category for prevailing wage. We've been told to use Carpenter or Electrician depending on which part of the installation they're doing. Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 6:45 PM, Marco wrote: > Do any of you know whether your state has established a Davis-Bacon-type > prevailing wage scale specifically for PV installations? Or have the feds > come up with one yet? > > thanks, > marco > > Marco Mangelsdorf, Ph.D., President > Electrical Contractor License C-26351 > 69 Railroad Avenue, Suite A-7 > Hilo, Hawaii 96720 USA > (808) 969-3281, fax 934-7462 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ___ > 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
[RE-wrenches] automatic DC switch
Hi Wrenches, I have a quirky project where I need to toggle PV DC between grid-tie inverters and an electrolyzer for a fuel cell system. Does anyone know of a good product to switch 10A, 500VDC? It needs to be controlled remotely and I need to switch 24 seperate circuits. Thanks a lot! Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Micro Inverter Energy System
Max, We recently finished a small installation (2.4kW) using the Enphase micro-inverters and have been fairly pleased with them. The most notable thing about Enphase was their excellent tech support. I always got prompt attention from knowledgeable people in this country. This is in stark contrast to tech support experiences with other inverter manufacturers. Enphase's is quite possibly the best tech support I've ever gotten for anything. For design reasons we were forced to use Unirac SunFrame rail which required some extra effort and tight tolerances in mounting the inverters to it. If at all possible use a SolarMount-type rail. This is what the inverters were designed for. Our recent installation feeds a 120/208 3-phase system. It's important to note that Enphase's 240V and 208V inverters are different models and are not field configurable. Also, the 3-phase inverters are wired to spread across all three phases. This is elegant from an engineering perspective because it balances the inverters across the phases. However, on a small system I think it's more hassle than it's worth. It required a 3-phase breaker and a 7-jaw production meter base, which were minor added expenses. Since the largest AC branch circuit you can put together with the 208V micro-inverters is 4.2kW DC, it seems to me that it would be best to leave them all across two legs. Then installers could spread out multiple branch circuits across the 3 phases as we do with single inverters and keep things simple on small systems. All in all, it's really not that big a deal either way, just be aware up front what the requirements are. The energy management unit (EMU) monitoring is a near requirement. It's the only way to view the output of the system aside from the production meter. I wouldn't install an Enphase system without one. If one of the inverters fails the EMU data will be the only way to track down which one. It communicates with the inverters over the 60Hz line and uploads the data to Enphase's Enlighten website via the internet. You can log in and see in almost real time the output of each individual module as well as any number of energy production reports and the like. It's addicting! I think in certain applications (very small systems, partial shading, multiple module orientations) they're a great solution. Best, Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Fri, Feb 6, 2009 at 5:37 PM, Max Balchowsky wrote: > I've been asked to evaluate a set of plans that came accross the counter of > a local municipality recently. It was the microinverter system by Enphase. > I've seen this product, but this is the first actual installation I'm > exposed to. Has anyone installed these? > > Max Balchowsky > SEE Systems > > > ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Micro Inverter Energy System
We had an unusual roofing situation (corrugated fiberglass with rails attached to purlins underneath) which put the SunFrame rail much lower than it would normally be. Also, we had Sharp modules in landscape orientation (to match the purlin spacing), so the module frames came out past the L-feet and we had to mount the inverters under the L-feet instead of on top. Anyway - good to know there aren't usually tolerance issues. The L-feet are definitely the way to go to attach the microinverters to SunFrame. Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Fri, Feb 6, 2009 at 6:56 PM, Troy Harvey wrote: > > For design reasons we were forced to use Unirac SunFrame rail which >> required some extra effort and tight tolerances in mounting the inverters to >> it. If at all possible use a SolarMount-type rail. This is what the >> inverters were designed for. >> > > > We've used enphase with sunframe too. What we did was mount the inverter on > two inverted L-feet. Worked really nicely, no tolerance problems. > > Troy Harvey > - > Heliocentric > 801-453-9434 > tahar...@heliocentric.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 > > ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] AC disconnect options
That's our experience here in Washington, too. Dana -- Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.510.0433 On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 11:37 AM, Louis Woofenden wrote: > > Hi Andrew, > > We haven't been able to get any of the utilities we work with in Arizona to > accept these. They want a lockable disconnect, with a visible handle. I'd be > interested to hear if any others have had luck with this. > > Best, > Louis Woofenden > > Andrew Truitt wrote: > >> >> Greetings! >> Has anyone ever used a 240V, 60A Cutler-Hammer Air Conditioning >> Disconnect: >> >> >> http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/Markets/Electrical/Products/ResidentialProducts/AirconditioningDisconnectsACD/index.htm?ssSourceNodeId=3483&ssSourceSiteId=EatonCom< >> http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/Markets/Electrical/Products/ResidentialProducts/AirconditioningDisconnectsACD/index.htm?ssSourceNodeId=3483&ssSourceSiteId=EatonCom >> > >> >> as an AC disconnect? They are cheaper and seem inherently safer (all live >> components are behind a plastic shield). I love the old square D switches >> but this just seems like a better option so long as it is appropriate for >> the application. >> > > ___ > 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
