Morning William,
regarding 1--
Don't know what your net-metering application form requires, but in VA the
installing company has to certify/ sign off on the equipment meeting 1741.
Years ago, after y2k, we had a Co-op so eager to show their support for net
metering, that their people , after inspecting the system and testing the loss
off grid transfer function by pulling the meter, signed the forms themselves.
As for 2, from our experience with the local IOU, be careful when mentioning a
motor-driven generator. They don't understand that the XW can't sell that
power--directly-- to the grid. Since the cat is out of the bag, I think you'll
need to show that the gen set only charges the battery and passes thru the XW
to the dedicated loads.
May be simpler not to mention generator?
Ken
----- Original Message -----
From: William Miller
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 2:12 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery based grid tie question.
Colleagues:
Interesting that this topic comes up at this time:
1. We inherited a grid-tie project wherein an elderly client was sold an SW
installation some years ago. Come to find out, the installer never filed
anything with the utility. The client was caught recently back-feeding without
permission by a meter reader and told to cease and desist. We filed an
application with the utility thinking this was a long shot since the client's
SW inverter did not have the requisite Grid-tie Interface (GTI). We have
several GTIs sitting on the shelf, but the inverter does not have the proper
interface so one could not be installed. Lo and behold, the utility approved
this installation for interconnection.
2. We have an application to the local utility (PG&E) pending for a three XW
installation with a motor-generator. We have received multiple communications
from PG&E doubting the acceptability of the XW system for use as a gird-tied
battery-back up system. We are hoping that PG&E accepts the listings from the
various agencies and approves the project.
Interesting that the old, non-complaint system receives swift approval but
the latest and greatest gear hits a regulatory road block! We'll keep you
posted.
William Miller
At 04:56 PM 3/25/2009, you wrote:
What year are the SWs? they have had grid inter tie for years, if the
inverters were manufactured prior to I think 2001 then you do not need to have
the gti box installed. If the guys on a budget why spend the extra $$$$? Its
not the most efficient it certainly cheaper.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of robert ellison
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 9:39 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Battery based grid tie question.
On a similar question to what works well together. I am rebuilding the
wind side of an old off grid system that the new owner has brought the grid in.
He wants to grid tie the system. Another dealer is doing the solar side of
things.
My thoughts are the 48 volt SW inverters need to go, and replace them
with Outback 48 volt grid tie units and have the wind keep the battery up. Am I
correct that when the batteries are full from what ever source the outbacks
will grid connect and net meter any excess power to the grid? Seems that I
remember that they will but almost never get a call for grid tie up here in the
sticks so I figured I would ask the knowledge base.
I would suggest he keep the SW inverters to generator charge in case of a
long power outage as last I knew the Outbacks (FX) did not care for generator
power.
I could probably research it but the list is faster and probably more
accurate that reading all the manuals with all my free time these days!
Needless to say the fellow in on a budrgt and the power company brought
the power into the main building not the power house. Can't make things
easy......
Thanks,
Bob
2009/3/23 <[email protected]>
Wrenches,
I have been doing some experimenting --testing compatibility between
brands of grid tie inverters and sign wave battery type inverters. I am hoping
some of you also have some experience here and we can compare results.
My interest is fueled by my belief that AC coupling is the ideal way to
increase system capacity for battery based off grid systems. The primary
benefit is higher system efficiency for AC loads used during the day. I realize
that power management becomes important but my interest right now is just to
find out who talks to who. My ultimate "power management" tool will be an
electric vehicle. Charging it will undoubtedly suck up available juice.
So far:
SMA synchronizes to Xantrex SW (have not tested the XW yet) and Outback
and of course the SMA Sunny Island
Xantrex GT also syncs to the SW
I started this project with Enphase as my first choice since their system
is so scaleable. I have been unable to make Enphase sync. Marv at Enphase has
been very helpful but to date no results. I have, at Marv's suggestion ,used
capacitors to clean the somewhat hashy SW output without results. Marv tells me
he is testing Enphase and Outback. Does anyone have experience syncing Enphase
to other offgrid inverters?
Any experiences with Fronius and others.?
Though the SW output is not the cleanest, the results with SB and GT are
very stable. They hookup early AM and its steady green light all day long.
Though I use microwave, start induction motors etc, and my scope clearly shows
lots of spikes during these events, the GT and SB hang in.
What are the experiences from others regarding mix and match?.
Interoperability among brands seems to be a very desirable goal to this wrench.
Don Loweburg
Offline Solar, Inc
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