August, Great question.
Canadian Solar makes a module with SolarEdge optimizers integral. Trina offers a similar product with Tigos integral. I think both products would allow the string architecture you like while incorporating rapid shutdown. I have found these solutions to be less expensive than microinverters for systems over 4 kW though not necessarily less expensive than standard modules, strings inverters, and rapid disconnect enclosures. We have been trying to specify these module-integral products. Curious to hear how others are proceeding. Matt On Wed, December 14, 2016 10:20 am, August Goers wrote: > Hi Wrenches, > > > > > We are adopting the 2014 NEC in just a few weeks and will be installing > NEC > 690.12 rapid shutdown compliant systems for all permits pulled on or after > Jan 1 2017. I thought I’d take a quick poll to see what equipment you > are all planning on using to comply with rapid shutdown for your > residential systems. Some of you are operating in states where you’ve been > rapid shutdown for the last couple of years so you might have valuable > insight as well. > > > > We have historically had the best reliability results with string > inverters and have tried to continue to use them. However, multiple forces > are drawing us towards microinverter systems (or AC modules) and optimized > systems like SolarEdge. For one, our sales reps and designers prefer the > design freedom that these types of systems offer. The module level > monitoring is also a big plus. Secondly, we are installing a lot of > SunPower Equinox AC module systems and the install times are smokin’ > fast. Lastly, these systems are rapid shutdown compliant with little or no > additional effort. > > > > I really like SMA inverters but their rapid shutdown solution seems > clunky, especially when paired with their new US-40 series inverters which > have three trackers. The rapid shutdown box only has two separate tracker > capability so we would need to install two rapid shutdown boxes to make > use of the three trackers. Other string inverter options like Fronius > might be a little easier to design around. > > > > So, for now we are offering SunPower’s Equinox AC system and SolarEdge > for an alternative. I like many aspects of Enphase’s microinverter system > but still feel gun-shy because of all the failures we’ve had. Maybe their > newer generation products have solved their reliability problems. > > > > What are you all using? > > > > > Best, > > > > > August > > > Luminalt > > > San Francisco > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > > List Address: [email protected] > > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.ht > ml > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > Matthew Partymiller Solar Energy Solutions LLC (877) 312-7456 [email protected] _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: [email protected] Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
