Solar inverter programming/code writing

minabenyamin
minabenyamin Solar Expert Posts: 45 ✭
in Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum #1
Dear friends,

I've studied electrical engineering with sub-specialty in electronics and some moderate software writing. I'm totally interested in solar energy systems and I read and studied it very well. For now, I'd like to go to a further step to "programming/ code writing" of solar inverters. at 1st, I have the following questions:
  1. what's the language (s) used in programming the inverters?
  2. is there any difference between programming GT inverters and off-grid inverters?
  3. is there a simulator that I can simulate my code with to test the inverter in reality?

many Thanks for you all

Mina
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Comments

  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    I would guess that most companies are writing in C but not releasing any of it. A grid tie inverter needs additional logic to sync and also to disconnect (for safety reasons).

    I'd even be interested in an open source (but off the shelf hardware) inverter based battery charger or MPPT charge controller.

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

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  • minabenyamin
    minabenyamin Solar Expert Posts: 45 ✭
    #3
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    you don't have any materials that I can start from??
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  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    You will find some if you search for "power inverter arduino". Probably they will require you to also build the hardware.

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
    #5
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    There are no open source commercial inverters/charge controllers/gt inverter/etc. that I know of. Pretty much any company likes to keep their software and hardware "secret".

    There are some open source solar devices that people are working on (like MPPT charge controller)--You have to hunt around to find them.

    Here is a google search on the forum that may give you some ideas:

    https://www.google.com/search?q=open+source+site%3Aforum.solar-electric.com

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • minabenyamin
    minabenyamin Solar Expert Posts: 45 ✭
    #6
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    I logged in Arduino but I can't understand what's that talking about.
    It looks that it's talking about control using their board and their language. How i can learn the instructions of their language??

    Thanks
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
    #7
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    Arduinos use a of C (I guess there is even come C++ too. the processor and memory is small, so there is only so much space available).

    http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/HomePage
    http://playground.arduino.cc/
    http://forum.arduino.cc/

    You write your code (a program is called a "sketch". The workspace will compile (with error messages) and download to the board over USB serial link.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • minabenyamin
    minabenyamin Solar Expert Posts: 45 ✭
    #8
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    I knew that they have a shop nearby and I will go to buy a board, what's the best board you think?

    There are many models and I don't know exactly which one to buy, can you recommend please?

    Thanks

    Mina
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  • minabenyamin
    minabenyamin Solar Expert Posts: 45 ✭
    #9
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    Also, can anyone recommend what computer hardware specs that I need to use with the boards??

    Thanks
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  • minabenyamin
    minabenyamin Solar Expert Posts: 45 ✭
    #10
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    Anyone here knows about Raspberry pi??

    Thanks

    Mina
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
    #11
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    It all depends on what you want to do... Just getting started, a small Arduino will work fine. They have "shield" boards if you want more/different output.

    Computer--Anyone with a USB port will work. My 8th grader took a robotics class using a Arduino and robot kit (she had a lot of fun). Basic kit was similar to:

    http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipping-Robot-Chassis-2WD-Smart-Car-Chassis-Kit/922591_896776131.html
    http://arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardUno (plain UNO with dip processor)

    A $100 USD or so will get you a lot to experiment with.

    You will probably blow up chips--So getting spares up front will save you some frustration.

    Raspberry Pi -- Friend uses that for some pretty sophisticated Linux stuff (he loves networking/video/virtualizing/etc.). Another good choice.

    Everything is online (software/documentation wise).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • techntrek
    techntrek Solar Expert Posts: 1,372 ✭✭✭
    #12
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    I think your driving factor is the number of inputs and outputs. You'll need to sense the DC input voltage, AC output voltage, amperages too. You'll need numerous outputs to control the waveform.
    4.5 kw APC UPS powered by a Prius, 12 kw Generac, Honda EU3000is
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  • stephendv
    stephendv Solar Expert Posts: 1,571 ✭✭
    #13
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    If your goal is just to learn more about solar electronics then a development board like this might be more useful: http://uk.farnell.com/texas-instruments/tmdssolarpexpkit/tms320f28035-solar-development/dp/2081116
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  • inetdog
    inetdog Solar Expert Posts: 3,123 ✭✭✭✭
    #14
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing
    minabenyamin wrote: »
    you don't have any materials that I can start from??
    You are more likely to find that sort of starting information on a forum that is general to platforms like the Arduino than here on a Solar forum. It is a bit too specialized for us. :)
    SMA SB 3000, old BP panels.
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  • zoneblue
    zoneblue Solar Expert Posts: 1,220 ✭✭✭✭
    #15
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing

    Your questions are a tad broad for the forum. I suggest you log some google time on the subject.

    Embedded microprocessors range from pic and atmel 8bit, to 32 bit stm, ARM cortex and the like. C, assembly, maybe some java in the bigger boards.

    But for learning, you cant go past arduino nano or arduino uno. Buy one and learn to code to your hearts content:

    http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/HomePage



    minabenyamin wrote: »
    Anyone here knows about Raspberry pi??

    Thanks

    Mina
    1.8kWp CSUN, 10kWh AGM, Midnite Classic 150, Outback VFX3024E,
    http://zoneblue.org/cms/page.php?view=off-grid-solar


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  • jwrgorman
    jwrgorman Registered Users Posts: 22 ✭✭
    #16
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing
    minabenyamin wrote: »
    Anyone here knows about Raspberry pi??

    Thanks

    Mina

    Hi Yes we have an open-source software platform dedicated to solar inverter and energy consumption data. Take a look at:

    http://www.solarnetwork.net

    but also it's on GitHub as well:

    https://github.com/SolarNetwork/solarnetwork/wiki/SolarNode-Deploy-Guide

    You can use a variety of small computers, including the Raspberry Pi, to talk to a number of solar inverters, charge controllers, switches, kWh meters etc.

    Thanks, John
    John Gorman / SolarNetwork Foundation
    e:john@solarnetwork.net
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  • KenZ71
    KenZ71 Solar Expert Posts: 58 ✭✭
    #17
    Re: Solar inverter programming/code writing
    jwrgorman wrote: »
    Hi Yes we have an open-source software platform dedicated to solar inverter and energy consumption data. Take a look at:

    http://www.solarnetwork.net

    but also it's on GitHub as well:

    https://github.com/SolarNetwork/solarnetwork/wiki/SolarNode-Deploy-Guide

    You can use a variety of small computers, including the Raspberry Pi, to talk to a number of solar inverters, charge controllers, switches, kWh meters etc.

    Thanks, John

    I seem to remember the NUT software controls not only UPS systems but charge controllers and ither gizmos. Checkout http://www.networkupstools.org

    There is open source for routers and modems why not inverters as well?
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