Anyone purchase a Zero Export control or limiter? What was the outcome?

roadglide
roadglide Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭✭
in Solar Product Reviews & Opinions #1

A number of companies are marketing ZERO EXPORT CONTROLS.... (Stand alone limiters for grid tie to not net meter) 

Elgris is from Germany and Zed Advance from India, to name a few, Fronius markets one as well.

I believe all Zero Export device / Zero Export Controller / Solar Export Limiter require an energy meter at grid point with current transformers. We are single -split phase here 120/240v in the USA and some other countries like Philippines, I believe.

Curious if anyone has experience installing, configuring this system....

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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    I fail to see how it can control the inverter output, other than using a relay to slam it off or on, loosing a fair amount of harvest in the process.   Better to use an inverter with a built in zero export and let it throttle itself
    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 ||
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,654 admin
    #3
    It looks like the function is relatively straight forward. Current sensor(s) on the grid interface, a black box to measure the power flow (web interface), and a feedback (digital?) back to the GT Inverter (inverter needs an interface to control output current from 0% to 100% of output (or fixed kWatt output to allow for variations in solar energy to not affect the negotiated power feed back to the utilty--My guesses).

    Supported GT inverters for Elgris (so far):

    http://www.elgrispower.com/zero-export-solar-controller/
    SMA, KACO, ABB, REFUsol, Fronius, GROWATT, ZEVER SOLAR, DELTA, SOFAR SOLAR, HUAWEI and many more.
    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,930 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Most of the battery based big name hybrid inverters do this. Not a big deal and yes I have done it for clients.
    https://solar.schneider-electric.com/solution/residential-self-consumption/
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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