10 kw system - ( INVERTER?) grid connected w/batteries

easytim

The system I have now is hooked to an outback inverter that's hooked to 5k of solar panels with battery backup and hooked to the grid.

I'm wanting to expand to a 10k system grid connected with battery backup, I will be needing to expand the battery bank as well..

Would it be best to add another 5 k inverter or start over with an inverter that will handle the whole 10 k . I will be adding 3k of solar and 2k of wind for a total 10k system. Can someone tell me the best way to do this, money is not the object. I more worried about getting a system that works well. I want the system to be balanced. I want to do this the easy way.

I am looking at maybe using an Xantrex inverter, I have been told this is the best inverter.

Some other brands of inverters I have been looking at are Xanterx - Outback - Sunny Boy

What would be the best way to do this? I'm not that familiar with the quality of these products yet.

I just need a little help

mike95490

Re: 10 kw system - ( INVERTER?) grid connected w/batteries

Wind, because it's so irregular, needs it's own dedicated inverter.
The additional solar, I'd install an additional inverter to handle it, gives you a measure of redundancy, not having all your eggs in one basket, and easier to trouble shoot if something goes wrong

Solar Guppy

Re: 10 kw system - ( INVERTER?) grid connected w/batteries

First off, 5Kw of solar is way to much for the Outback GT versions ... at best you can get maybe 3kw continuous out of a GTVFX3648, and they will run VERY hot running near there power limit.

If you want battery based, you only have one choice in this power class, that would be a pair of Xantrex XW-6048's. SMA doesn't have a battery based grid tie inverter and Outbacks are to small unless you want 4 of them.

halfcrazy

Re: 10 kw system - ( INVERTER?) grid connected w/batteries

I think you can only stack 2 outbacks in a grid tied scenario? I second the pair of XW's that way you can charge with a generator as well.

mike95490

Re: 10 kw system - ( INVERTER?) grid connected w/batteries

You can keep your existing battery backed up system "as is" and just add simple GT. You won't get full power, but in case of a multi day blackup, you will have some on hand.
5KW feeding a battery bank is nothing to sneeze at

crewzer

Re: 10 kw system - ( INVERTER?) grid connected w/batteries

First off, 5Kw of solar is way to much for the Outback GT versions ... at best you can get maybe 3kw continuous out of a GTVFX3648, and they will run VERY hot running near there power limit.

5kW of solar is indeed too much for a single GVFX3648 connected to the grid via 120 VAC. However, a series stacked pair of GVFX3648's connected to the grid via 120/240 VAC will handle a 5kW array just fine via a pair of FM charge controllers and a single battery bank.

See: http://www.outbackpower.com/pdf/brochures/Grid_Interactive_Systems_2.pdf

However, the OutBack grid-interactive inverters are limited to one per hot leg (phase), so a series pair rated at 7,200 W total is the limit for a 120/240 VAC system. If you want a 10 kW grid-interactive system with battery backup, you'll need to look at Xantrex or SMA.

Also, note that a 5kW STC array will rarely deliver 5 kW for any sustained period of time unless mid-day ambient temperature is well below freezing. ~4kW would be a more common maximum sustained output.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer