Geoff,
SMA suggests using an OutBack Autoformer. Yes, I know it sounds weird to
suggest using a competitors product, but this is not the only weirdness
when using the 60 Hz SI system! They /also /suggest using the Flexware
DC breaker box, as there is really nothing they make that accomplishes
the same thing, at such a low cost. Low is subjective, I suppose.
I asked a pair of the SMA engineers from Germany about the possibility
of coming out with a 240 60 Hz version (pleaded is more like it) to help
the long suffering American AE sector, and the answer was just what has
been suggested by our Scottish bretheren: If the market is large enough
to warrant the UL listing procedure, and if the market will bear a
slightly higher price tag, they will do it. I would recommned that each
and every one of us that would like to have the option of somehting as
great as this system has to offer, PLEASE email, phone and write to SMA
Amerika (ho ho ho) to express your wishes. It can't hurt!
Matt T
Geoff Greenfield wrote:
Matt-
What is your prefered/recomended way to address the 240 VAC SB series
(we typically dont want to use a bunch of 700s or 1800s) and the 120
VAC SI series? We used a pair of Outback PSX-240s but that was extra
work/cost. Other (larger) transformers? Torroid coil? Eaton? I'm
surprised SMA doesnt have a nice interface worked out for the North
American market...
Also wrenches... if you go down this route, invest the time ahead of
time on learning/preping for the set up etc for SI in this
application. It is not out of the box ready to go, but involves a
software upgrade, laptops and the right patch cord (an issue if you
are 5 hours away...).
For a brighter energy future,
Geoff Greenfield
Founder and CEO
*Third Sun Solar & Wind Power Ltd.
*340 West State Street, Unit 25
Athens, OH 45701
740.597.3111 Fax 740.597.1548
www.Third-Sun.com
/Clean Energy - Expertly Installed
/
----- "Tump" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
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.
TUMP
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of
*Matt Tritt
> *Sent:* Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:21 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] More on AC coupling
>
I am curious as to why OutBacks were used for this system instead
of using SunnyIslands and SunnyBoys? From what I can tell about
the SI system, virtually no aspect of battery charging, auto
gen-start/stop, and interactive inverter control has been
overlooked - or remains to be engineered in the field by the
installer. Because SunnyIslands have the ability to "talk" to
Sunny (or Windy)Boys, excess energy is taken care of by
"integrated load shedding" - no need for multiple relays, dumpoads
and voltage sensors. :-) The only limitation to these systems (and
only in 60 Hz land) is a maximum of 20 kW single, and 15 kW three
phase per autonomous load. I really like the flexibility of being
able to connect all AC inputs on the same line, as well as having
the option to do direct battery charging from a DC source (as long
as you use a shunt to measure current).
> I know this doesn't answer your questions, but for similar
applications in the future it would be good to take a close look
at the SunnyIsland system. They're cool.
> Matt T
> Mark Dickson wrote:
>
Hello Wrenches,
On the heels of the previous thread:
We just got finished installing a system that utilizes an
Outback Quad stack and a 5.2kW array coupled to the AC panel
via a Fronius IG5100--due to a long home-run. The VFX's are
wired into the home in their traditional manner, providing the
"grid" for the Fronius. As the solar comes in, excess power
not used in the home back feeds the batteries through the
VFX's. I have a series of relays operating dump loads and
finally a power cut-off for when the batteries reach critical
level. We installed the system yesterday and turned it on for
a test run (then back off to power it up in 2009 for the
ITC's)--it worked great!
I have a couple questions for you all:
* Seems how we are back feeding the inverters and
forfeiting their charge control, where would you set the
dump loads to kick on?
o For now I have them set at: 1^st load to kick on
at float voltages, 2^nd to kick on at bulk
voltages and 3^rd to kick the solar power off at
the EQ voltages. Does this make sense? The bank
is made up of Rolls 4ks-25ps batteries.
* Following a recent discussion on the Wrenches list with
a similar system: Do I need to worry about back feeding
the generator if it is runnin in the morning when the
sun comes up? Do I need a relay that will shut it down
when solar comes on line?
* I plan on setting the Absorb and Float set times to a
miimum. Would you recommend this?
Thanks for your input!
Mark Dickson
Oasis Montana Inc.
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