Hi folks--We've just finished our first dual 12kW Sol-Ark install (replacing a
Fronius 10kW from 10 years ago) and I have a few comments on the recent
questions.
First, Sol-Ark started with a frustrating manual, but they are improving. To
address Dave's question, the on-line manual for the 8k is August 2019 and the
12k is August 2020.
The latest Sol-Ark manual shows fuses on both legs of the pv, but this is
something you'll have to provide outside the inverter. The pv inputs for the
inverters are terminals only, no over current protection. For NEC 2014,
Sol-Ark says and we agreed, that if the mppt inputs are limited to two strings,
there is no need for over current protection, depending on the current output
of the modules. But, I understand this is a gray area and in matters of code, I
am often wrong. We piped the pv to midget fuses on a din rail in boxes outside
the inverters.
Jeff mentioned using the Midnite 125 bypass. Each Sol-Ark inverter output is
limited to 33A off grid and 37.5A on grid, so any 100a bypass switch would work
for two Sol-Arks. Wish I would have know about the Midnite. We went with the
Reliance TCA1010D, but it costs more and there is little room for your fingers,
much less the wire. We ended up adding a nice size j-box below the Reliance and
used Morris connectors (similar to Polaris) to bring the two Sol-Arks together.
On the inverters, the pv disconnect is on the bottom of the box, way in the
back. This is frustrating, because you can't bring a six or eight inch gutter
up to the inverters--you need about 3-4 inches to get a hand in there to reach
the disconnect--more time making little pieces of pvc nipples with box adapters
and oh, don't forget you have to fit metal conduit for the pv conductors and
keep them bundled separately in the gutter. Also wish the conduit knock outs
were one size bigger, but old, arthritic fingers are always calling for bigger
boxes and conduit.
The Sol-Ark wifi dongle connection for the third-party PowerView is also stuck
in the back underside and its connections are wiggly.
The Sol-Ark service desk has been very good with both responses and wait times.
With no charge controller and 500 vdc strings, the Sol-Ark is great. For this
install, we used the existing pole-mounted 40 Sharp 240s on four strings and
added 36 Trina 380s on the barn roof (four strings of nine). The Sharps went to
one inverter and the Trinas the other. Eight Simpliphi 3.8s make up the battery
bank. Now, if Sol-Ark will make the move to 600V and move the pv disconnect to
the side....More power Scotty.
For right now, in the past 13 years, I've run an 120V Outback 3648 at home and
it's been trouble free, but when the shoemaker's kids get new shoes, they'll be
Sol-Ark.
I always appreciate the help and sharing on this list.
regards, bill
Bill HennessyBerks Solar, LLC
371 Centennial Rd
Mertztown, PA 19539
o 610 682 4300
c 484 560 4666
NABCEP certified installer
PA contractor #44411
www.berkssolar.com
On Thursday, September 10, 2020, 2:30:59 PM EDT, Dave Angelini Offgrid
Solar <[email protected]> wrote:
I am confused by the 2 different Sol Ark systems. The large one looks like it
has a DC disco/breaker and a solar disco.
The smaller solark looks like it has a DC breaker only. Any guidance on what
else is needed to make these useable please?
Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
e-mail [email protected]
text 209 813 0060
On Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:12:31 -0700, Jeff Clearwater
<[email protected]> wrote:
Yea I'm wondering the easiest way to get a 125 AMP Midnite Inverter Bypass
assembly in a simple box for 2 Sol-Arks. Midnite would be the perfect
candidate for a simple support box (e-panel style) for Stacked Sol-Arks.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jeff
Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar wrote on 9/10/20 9:37 AM:
In an all in one, the good parts are balanced, sometimes, by a small failure
making the all in one useless. Only a complete spare will save the day, or
night...Also wonder about real world surge capacity on 1 hp pumps and big air
compressors.
I am glad to hear that they will be making this in Texas, rather than currently
only in China. Anyone have more on this please?
AC bypass switching is a must for SolArk. They need a PDP or some way to make
this easier. The dual mppts are perfect for virtual tracking. I begged for a
dual mppt on the new Schneider high voltage 100a mppt :(
I wish them good luck and take back most of my concerns. Hope they can make it!
Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
e-mail [email protected]
text 209 813 0060
On Thu, 10 Sep 2020 07:44:36 -0400, Jason Szumlanski
<[email protected]> wrote:
There is a huge distinction in a hybrid inverter that integrates MPPT charge
control. Eliminating all of the extraneous hardware and circuit protection
associated with charge controllers is very appealing. The 500V input limit is
also a game-changer in terms of wire size. I'm very interested in this
approach. On the flip size, an AC Coupled approach is also appealing in a lot
of circumstances. Since Sol-Ark supports that, too, it's hard to find downsides
other than their infancy in the industry. And for what it's worth, my
experience with SMA tech support recently has been abysmal. Long hold times and
getting bounced around departments. Jason Szumlanski
On Wed, Sep 9, 2020 at 9:50 PM Mark Frye <[email protected]> wrote:
The most important thing here is that no one is standing up to sing the praises
of either SMA or Outback.
I myself have sent about 2 hours on hold over 2 days trying to get an issue
addressed by SMA.
Re: Sol-Arc I would pay a lot extra or take some not so good aspect in exchange
for good technical support.
On 9/9/2020 1:12 PM, Jason Szumlanski wrote:
Any tips on combining AC output from these units when stacking several of them?
What bus/OCPD system are you using? Same question for generator/grid input.
The solar MPPT inputs appear to be dead simple. Jason Szumlanski
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On Tue, Sep 8, 2020 at 10:45 PM MiJo Nels <[email protected]> wrote:
we've found SolArk to be SOLID!! .. And yes 8 inv yield about 96kW, with a TON
of surge capabilities.. Joe NelsonProject Manager C-46/C-10Sustainable Energy
Group Inc., A California CorporationCSL#
868816www.SustainableEnergyGroup.com530-273-4422 (Office)530-217-8385 (Cell)
  From: RE-wrenches <[email protected]> on behalf of
[email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 1:24:03 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches' <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other?
I also suggest the Sol-Ark 12's. Extremely efficient, simple to program, does a
wonderful job in either ac coupling, stand alone or pure off grid and terrific
customer support.
Peter Giroux
ASAE
From: RE-wrenches <[email protected]> On Behalf Of
Bryan Norkunas
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 1:50 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches' <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other?
Sol-Arks would be possible, you can link 8 inverters.
Bryan
PV-Cables
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Chris Schaefer
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 10:40 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other?
I'd suggest giving the crew at Sol-Ark a quick call @ 972-575-8875 with their
12kw unit. Not sure what their max number of inverters are.
Christopher
On Tue, Sep 8, 2020 at 1:14 PM Kienan Maxfield <[email protected]>
wrote:
Hey all, I'm designing a microgrid sized off-grid system for somebody, and I'm
just wondering if anyone knows of any issues with the following designs...
The client says he needs 70 kW. His load data looks pretty solid, so I'm
sticking to using that number as a minimum, at least during the initial
proposal stage. I only know of two possible equipment options for this size
range...
- I think I can use up to 10 Outback Radians, for up to an 80 kW system. Are
there any bugs or problems with using this many inverters on one hub? I know
I've read about issues with selling to the grid, but that's not an issue, this
is off-grid.
- I know that the SMA cluster box with sunny islands can allow for up to a
72 kW system. Do you know of any bugs or problems with this system?
Are there any other options that anyone would suggest? Schneider's website says
they can only do up to 61 kW, and Victron can only do up to 60 kW.
I know that the Outback system would yield a 240/120 Split-Phase system and
that the SMA would yield a 208/120 3Ø system, but this doesn't really matter
either way for this job.
Thanks so much,
Kienan
Maxfield Solar
[email protected]
(801) 631-5584 (Cell)
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Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870
5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424
www.solarandwindfx.com ~ E-mail: [email protected]
Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy"
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Village Power Design
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