Looking for a new Inverter for our next system

grunt
grunt Solar Expert Posts: 37 ✭✭
edited November 2017 in Solar Beginners Corner #1

 For over 6 years I have owned a xantrex sw6048 with battery and genset back up, hooked to 2.5k worth of Canadian solar, this provide roughly about a third of our yearly needs. We are now moving and are starting a new. I have since purchased 7.5k worth of Canadian solar and would like to do a similar type system.  

My problem is “Ideally” I would like to use a single hybrid inverter but of course the Xantrex I had is too small but a prewired Outback Raiden Radian FPR-8048A would fit the bill but I would rather use a lighter (possibly cheaper) transformer-less system but I can’t seem to find one that has controls for a AC2 input for the generator. There are many units out there that can do the battery side of things but I have yet to find one that will also control a generator.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Comments

  • grunt
    grunt Solar Expert Posts: 37 ✭✭
    Oh...one more thing. This is a grid tied system.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hook the generator and charger(s) up directly to the batteries?
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • grunt
    grunt Solar Expert Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November 2017 #4

    I like being able to use the grid to charge the batts as well when the power comes back on. Having an all in one system controlled from one point is a huge plus for me. We have power outages every winter.


  • grunt
    grunt Solar Expert Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November 2017 #5

    Also one more question does any one know why they don't make the 8.5k unit for the domestic market? I can find the XW+ 8.5kw that Schneider makes just not one for our market.

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Stack 2 of the Xantex/Schneider units.  Stay with the brand you know. 

    Do you need hybrid in the new site ?  Lots of power outages ?  Straight Grid Tie with backup generator is a valid way to avoid batteries ageing to death with no usage
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • grunt
    grunt Solar Expert Posts: 37 ✭✭

    I agree Mike but the wife likes the instantaneous power transfer and we have had power losses up to a few weeks and she does not like the Idea of having to rely on fuel to make the span. I see SMA has some options and I have thought about going with two but price and more components have turn me off. It took me about two years and this message broad just to learn how to program the single inverter I have now.


  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    It took me about two years and this message broad just to learn how to program the single inverter

    as Mike put it go with what you know! or it wont work for another 2 years.?..


     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
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  • MarkC
    MarkC Solar Expert Posts: 212 ✭✭✭
    I'd consider the Pika Energy offerings and do an economic analysis of potential energy contracts that shift energy to night time (off-peak) use.  They have integrated battery systems to do so - that can also provide emergency off grid energy.  The economics will vary significantly depending upon your energy use habits and the available energy contracts.  SolarEdge offers similar "hybrid" type inverters, however in the US, they require a separate "autotransformer".  For me, the main advantage of Pika Energy the design of the DC/DC converters that use string based MPPT power optimization and have the potential to integrate more easily to "smart grid" techniques in the future via using PLC communications - but time will tell on that!
    An interesting article on Pika application in a smart grid application (the Stapleton Project):

    http://www.tdworld.com/renewables/xcel-energy-investigates-use-battery-storage

    3850 watts - 14 - 275SW SolarWorld Panels, 4000 TL-US SMA Sunny Boy Grid tied inverter.  2760 Watts - 8 - 345XL Solar World Panels, 3000 TL-US SMA Sunny Boy GT inverter.   3000 watts SMA/SPS power.  PV "switchable" to MidNite Classic 250ks based charging of Golf cart + spare battery array of 8 - 155 AH 12V Trojans with an  APC SMT3000 - 48 volt DC=>120 Volt AC inverter for emergency off-grid.   Also, "PriUPS" backup generator with APC SURT6000/SURT003  => 192 volt DC/240 volt split phase AC inverter.  
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    The XW+ system will easily control a generator, run HV strings to make the PV much easier to install. It is available to monitor on the web anywhere there is internet and unlike a Radian, you already know the basic system. Outback still does not have a HV CC but maybe in 2018?

    The 8.5 KW XW+ models are not for north america and do not have split-phase output that you need. They are rated differently but really it is specification changes and the 6.8KW NA is just about identical.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
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    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net