gooseberry

Selling my grid-tied inverter after upgrading. Ideal for AC-coupling to an existing system in order to add more solar panels cheaply. Includes CT coil. Item: Solis 4.6kW Dual MPPT Grid-Tied Inverter + Wifi Logger Age: I've had it for 4.5 years, not sure. Price: R4700 Payment Method Accepted: EFT/Cash Warranty: None Packaging: None Condition: Excellent Location: Somerset West Reason: Upgrading Shipping: Can do Pargo etc Collection: Yes Link:

This looks amazing!

Yep, it was this. I didn't see the arrestors were 180VDC rated only.

Can anyone give me some pointers or a recommendation for someone who can come take a look in the Somerset West area?

I've got a Solis 4G 4.6kW inverter connected to 2 strings of 4 450W JA Solar panels. It's connected to the grid and has the CT clamp connected. I'm seeing voltage (>180V) on the strings (both with the multimeter and on the Solis itself but I'm getting an ILEAK-PRO04 error) I'm not sure whether the leakage is on the DC or the AC side. It happens with both strings, or either string connected. I've got some Noark DC switches which I can use to switch the strings on or off. This was a self-install with a second-hand inverter. The message on the web interface is that it sometimes happens when it's raining, but it's not been dry for a few days and the issue persists. It also adds that you updating the Firmware might help but I don't have the stick to do that with. Anyone know someone who can help? I'm in the Somerset West area. I've also switched around the positive PV connecters going into the inverter as I've seen that people sometimes mismatch the + -'s going into the MPPTs resulting in this error but that didn't solve the problem. Some pics of t he install: The connection here is connecting 2 strings of 2 panels in series to give a 4 panel string. (did it this way so I can also connect them in parallel to the Axpert I'm running as UPS in case there is a long power outage) :

but that is what specialised DC breakers are made for... like the Noark ones. Of course you avoid it if you can.

Those fuses you can't disconnect under load though right?

I'm assuming you have a PWM charger? In that case the higher voltage obtained by adding panels in series does not help, it will still only charge at the current one panel can provide. You need to connect your panels in parallel.

Yes on both counts.

You can probably only have 4 350W panels (2 strings of 2 panels each connected in parallel). You'd need to upgrade your inverter to add more panels or buy a separate MPPT.

The Atlas geyser is a POS. We could never get it to work reliably. Replaced it with a fan forced Paloma and the difference is night and day.

You can have 8 or 9 panels per string, you can oversize your array I believe. The 10400W max is the max the MPPTs are able to produce, not the max rated kWp of the array. Just don't exceed the voltage rating.

I read it as he wants to take advantage of his old meter (which I presume rolls back) in which case he'd need a bidirectional hybrid inverter, or a pure grid-tied inverter.

Just be aware that what you're doing is illegal according to the Eskom SSEG guidelines. You'll have to register and get a new meter.

The Growatt is not a hybrid system and can't push into the grid.

What happens when the Sunsynk pushes power back to the generator? Does it produce diesel or petrol? 🤔 I thought the generator should be on the AUX port and not treated as grid?

I would think grid tied and a large diesel generator for backup if needed, don't go with shared batteries. Not sure if there are microgrid options with a generator so the solar can stay online?

You're too close to the voltage limit on the MPPT so rather rewire to 4 strings of 2 each and sell one panel, or sell all your panels and get 9 or 12 60 cell panels (they tend to top out at 310W) and connect them in 3 or 4 strings of 3 panels each.

Will you put a timer on it? And you don't mind charging from utility when it's a bit cloudy or other loads are using the solar? Looking for a way to could set it up that it just sunk all extra solar energy to the battery charger instead of how it would dump it to the grid if there was no CT clamp.

Also went this way but now wondering how to ensure the batteries are charged from solar, especially if you plan on running lights etc off them at night.

It won't damage the system and it will not be totally wasted as it will get you closer to 5300W in the morning and late afternoon.

You can oversize your array (up to a certain point*) but the max the MPPT can push is 100A and the battery float voltage is about 53V so it can only supply 5300W. 12x450W panels are already 5400W. 16 panels are 7200W which is maybe a bit over-specced unless they are not optimally placed? *The max PV short circuit current for the 250/100 MPPT is 70A. I'm estimating an Isc of about 11A per string so you could do up to 6 strings if you wanted. Just check your panels' Isc: floor(70/Isc) = max number of strings.

There is something causing clipping of your PV power between 11:30 to 13:30. Have you checked for any shadows on any of your panels during those times?

The Sun Pays one is low pressure, so your hot water will only be gravity fed. Mixers etc on taps won't work correctly if you have high pressure municipal cold water. I also saw a post recently of someone who installed them, they rusted quite badly within 2 years. Maybe not so much a problem in the Kalahari though. A brand of solar geyser I've heard mostly good things about is Xstream.

I heard it had a problem with a high pitched noise that even comes from some appliances connected to it?