SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

Re: SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

Correct, 6.0H is newer and it has a remote control panel. The 5048 has the control panel built into the unit, which is not as convenient.
In terms of actual functionality, the key difference is that the 5048 is rated for 5kW and the 6.0H for 4.6kW. There may be other minor feature differences in the 6.0H, but you may have to study the manual to find them.

Re: SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

Yes, newer is better

Re: SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

If you buy just 1 x SI 6.0H then the Sunny Remote Control comes with it and it's included in the price. If you buy more than 1 then you have the option of only buying 1 SRC to control both of them.

If you want to do monitoring of the SI then you could buy the RS-485 piggyback module. With this you can monitor it using open source software, or with the SMA webbox.

Re: SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

I'm very happy with the Sunny Island, does what's needed, has a built in battery monitor and the communication protocol is open (they even provide an open source code to use it). I don't use the SMA internet monitoring as its an additional device and too expensive.

An inverter is a long term investment, so in my opinion it's better to go with one that's supported locally. I don't have direct experience with the Studer, but it has a good reputation for quality and is very similar to the sunny island in functionality. The only complaint I've heard about it is that it's complicated to program. In your shoes, I would go with the Studer.

Re: SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

Gatti wrote: »

And I have another question.
Is it difficult to set up using xively like you did ? What is annual charge ?
And for example if I would buy Studer Xtender 4000-48 can it be connected with xively ?

Xively has a free and a commercial service. As long as you don't send data too often (I think slower than once every 5 minutes), then you can use the free service.
I don't know much about the Xtender, I seriously doubt they integrate with xively, I think they have their own managed site if you buy their communications add ons.

Re: SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

Configuration is easy and is clearly explained in the manual. Factory settings are fine too, the only slightly complicated thing to install is the external current shunt which you will need if you use a non-SMA charge controller for the batteries. But again, this process is clearly explained in the manual.
I think using a non-SMA MPPT charge controller is the best option, you can buy a top of the line 80A midnite solar classic at a very reasonable price compared to the SMA charge controller. Midnite also has plans to integrate their charge controller with the Sunny Island in the future.

Re: SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

Gatti wrote: »

Today I have decided to buy SMA SI.
Maybe at the same time also buy Sunny Boy ?
For example If use up to 3 kW of PV which model of Sunny Boy is better and reliable ? What accessories it needs ?
Or you advice buy Midnite controller ?

For most installation, I think the midnite controller is a better choice because:
- It's about 40% of the price of the equivalent sunny boy.
- It's more efficient at charging the battery. To charge the battery with a sunny boy involves double conversion losses.
- If the sunny island is faulty, then you can't charge the batteries at all if you had a sunny boy. With midnite, it works independently.
- The sunny boy + sunny island combination doesn't work well with certain modern washing machines, because they rely on a stable grid frequency.
- DC charging of the battery is a straight forward setup, no fancy and complicated frequency changing on the AC line

Having said that, the sunny boy has some advantages:
- The midnite has an input voltage limit of 150V for some models and 250V for others, so for 3kW you will have quite a few parallel strings of solar modules. Sunny boy has 600V input limit, so cabling is reduced and you typically don't need any additional breakers/fuses, you can just plug 2 parallel strings into the sunny boy.
- For the same reason above, if the distance between the solar array and the batteries is large then going 600V can help reduce wiring costs.
- You only need 1 DC breaker or fuse for the battery bank, no other high amp DC fuses needed because sunny boy to sunny island connection is AC.

In my opinion the advantages of sunny boy are small and not significant enough to warrant the high cost and the complication of the AC frequency control they use.

The midnite is a great controller, but if you can't get it where you are then the outback FM series and even the morningstar MPPT are good controllers, they will all work with the sunny island setup as long as you buy the additional current shunt that is required. At least the midnite has the possibility that it may integrate better with the sunny island in the near future, which the other controllers don't have.

Re: SMA Sunny Island 5048 vs 6.0H ?

Gatti wrote: »

By the way is it needs to use voltage stabilizer before inverter due to in winter voltage falling down lower than 170 V?

In the winter, both the Voc and the Vmp should increase not decrease with temperature!
And an MPPT charging system will make up for reduced light levels by drawing a smaller current at the appropriate Vmp voltage. You only need to use voltage stabilizers (output optimizers) when there are partial shading effects or other conditions that differ from panel to panel.
You do not want the winter Voc to go above the maximum safe input value for the inverter!