Last year I installed a 5kw Deye Inverter, 2 x 4.8kw Dyeness Batteries, 10 x 455 Canadian Solar Panels.

At max load I always got 4.5kw from solar. I tested this several times by overloading the system with Microwave, kettle etc. any excees load would start coming from Eskom.

I wanted some extra solar power so I could run pool pump etc. So I researched and enquired accross multiple platforms including Powerforum and the consenses was that the Deye 5kw inverter could handle up to 6.5kw of Solar as long as the voltage was below max.

So I got another 4 x 455w panels installed. But when I do the overload test I still only get 4.5kw during peak sun.

So these are the issues I am thinking could be the problem:

1. I'm aware that we are going into winter and that could be a factor but its strange that is maxed out at exactly the same watts. Perhaps I need to wait until summer again but i would rather sort out now so I have recourse/warranty while its still valid.
2. The Canadian Solar 455w panels have changed since I installed the first batch, so there are 7 old ones on a string and 4 old + 3 New ones on a string. (see photo). The size of the panel is slightly different. When I did the test I noticed that PV1 is +/- 280v and PV2 is +/- 308v. Seems like the one string is producing more volts. Could this be an issue?
3. On another group someone was saying tilt and orientation could be limiting the power.
4. Someone also said they are suprised that I was getting 100% efficiency from the original 10 panels to begin with.
5. And another said the Deye can only supply up to 5kw power, not 6.5kw as per the spec on the side of the inverter. (see photo).

Has anyone got any ideas or useful info for this situation please?

 

It's maximum 5.5kW AC output regardless, but up to 6.5kW DC from PV which can also go for charging batteries. This might also be impacted by Winter, yes, but you seem to have some shading from the chimney too.

1 hour ago, fuzex said:

Last year I installed a 5kw Deye Inverter, 2 x 4.8kw Dyeness Batteries, 10 x 455 Canadian Solar Panels.

At max load I always got 4.5kw from solar. I tested this several times by overloading the system with Microwave, kettle etc. any excees load would start coming from Eskom.

I wanted some extra solar power so I could run pool pump etc. So I researched and enquired accross multiple platforms including Powerforum and the consenses was that the Deye 5kw inverter could handle up to 6.5kw of Solar as long as the voltage was below max.

So I got another 4 x 455w panels installed. But when I do the overload test I still only get 4.5kw during peak sun.

So these are the issues I am thinking could be the problem:

1. I'm aware that we are going into winter and that could be a factor but its strange that is maxed out at exactly the same watts. Perhaps I need to wait until summer again but i would rather sort out now so I have recourse/warranty while its still valid.
2. The Canadian Solar 455w panels have changed since I installed the first batch, so there are 7 old ones on a string and 4 old + 3 New ones on a string. (see photo). The size of the panel is slightly different. When I did the test I noticed that PV1 is +/- 280v and PV2 is +/- 308v. Seems like the one string is producing more volts. Could this be an issue?
3. On another group someone was saying tilt and orientation could be limiting the power.
4. Someone also said they are suprised that I was getting 100% efficiency from the original 10 panels to begin with.
5. And another said the Deye can only supply up to 5kw power, not 6.5kw as per the spec on the side of the inverter. (see photo).

Has anyone got any ideas or useful info for this situation please?

 

Just some data. The inverter can provide a maximum of 5000W output at about 25 degrees. As the temp rises I suspect like most power equipment they derate. See posted specs. 

As the previous msg indicated you can add up to 6500W but it does not imply all of it will be used. 

Sorry to hear that you added more panels(1800W) just to try and gain 500W and while you were at close to max. 

Its no problem that the 2 inputs of each string is at different voltages. That is not the reason for under performance. 

36 minutes ago, GreenFields said:

It's maximum 5.5kW AC output regardless, but up to 6.5kW DC from PV which can also go for charging batteries. This might also be impacted by Winter, yes, but you seem to have some shading from the chimney too.

Ok, thanks for your input. This photo was taken at 930am. Already getting 2.75kw at that time which was mostly charging the battery.

So just add a smaller inverter and split some circuits off the DB, also great for some redundancy then.

You already have 14 panels, so leave the 10 string as original on your current inverter, and move the remaining 4 over to a 3kva or something specifically for the pool pump and maybe your remote gates/garage etc. Make it like an OUTSIDE DB and Inside DB.

This way not matter what happens your outside will always function. If Inside has an issue outside is not affected. If outside has an issue, just switch over the Outside DB back inside to the inside. So this would mean a switch over switch between the two DBs.

You actually have nice options now, and further "small" investment will give you so much to play with.

You can even split the 10 panels into 5s for each mppt for even more redundancy from a solar perspective, you will get the same wattage, maybe even more as the panels dont need to work that hard to push current through each other.

Damn man wish I had your real world problems, lol

Edited May 5, 20233 yr by Eurard

18 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

Just some data. The inverter can provide a maximum of 5000W output at about 25 degrees. As the temp rises I suspect like most power equipment they derate. See posted specs. 

As the previous msg indicated you can add up to 6500W but it does not imply all of it will be used. 

Sorry to hear that you added more panels(1800W) just to try and gain 500W and while you were at close to max. 

Its no problem that the 2 inputs of each string is at different voltages. That is not the reason for under performance. 

Aah ok thanks. So just to be clear the imput power is a max of 6500w. If the panels do produce their max say at peak power and the house load and battery load is equivalent or more will it pull the all the available solar power in and split it up between house and battery but not exceed 5kw on eiather. Is that how it works?

2 minutes ago, fuzex said:

Aah ok thanks. So just to be clear the imput power is a max of 6500w. If the panels do produce their max say at peak power and the house load and battery load is equivalent or more will it pull the all the available solar power in and split it up between house and battery but not exceed 5kw on eiather. Is that how it works?

It wont exceed 5000w AC (so the house can only take 5000w) in that scenario

2 hours ago, fuzex said:

The Canadian Solar 455w panels have changed since I installed the first batch

Just adding a completely different angle here. No idea whether the CS panels have changed so much in terms of overall dimension from one year to the next (for same watt panels), since this would seem a bit crazy to me, were they sourced from a reputable vendor? A few on this forum have been reporting CS and other panels being fakes and/or mislabeled.  

for example:

 

Check your panel voltages. I also got 455 Canadians last week and the new ones come at around 32V the older ones were 41V.

If you have mixed old and new in the same strings that could be your problem. 

26 minutes ago, Eurard said:

 

You can even split the 10 panels into 5s2p for even more redundancy from a solar perspective, you will get the same wattage, maybe even more as the panels dont need to work that hard to push current through each other.

Damn man wish I had your real world problems, lol

I take it you mean 5S into each MPPT and not to 1 MPPT as the MPPT can only use about 13A.

1 minute ago, Chris_S said:

Check your panel voltages. I also got 455 Canadians last week and the new ones come at around 32V the older ones were 41V.

If you have mixed old and new in the same strings that could be your problem. 

If the voltage and current differs so much then one will only get the current of the 41V panels. A good point to show the major change in current. 

3 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

If the voltage and current differs so much then one will only get the current of the 41V panels. A good point to show the major change in current. 

Yes 41V panels were 10A and 32V panels 13A

7 minutes ago, Chris_S said:

Check your panel voltages. I also got 455 Canadians last week and the new ones come at around 32V the older ones were 41V.

If you have mixed old and new in the same strings that could be your problem. 

Looking at your pics again it definitely looks like you got 4 lower voltage panels there. 

11 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

I take it you mean 5S into each MPPT and not to 1 MPPT as the MPPT can only use about 13A.

Yes, oops yes, 5s per MPPT so not to "waste" an empty mppt.

6 hours ago, Chris_S said:

Yes 41V panels were 10A and 32V panels 13A

I'm checking with the installer. But I recall seeing 41v on the sticker. The total voltage per string of 7 is approximately 280v for each MPPT. Was a bit higher yesterday on the one. But if I do a calculation 280 x 7 x 2 = 560 / 14 = 40. So looks correct.

37 minutes ago, fuzex said:

I'm checking with the installer. But I recall seeing 41v on the sticker. The total voltage per string of 7 is approximately 280v for each MPPT. Was a bit higher yesterday on the one. But if I do a calculation 280 x 7 x 2 = 560 / 14 = 40. So looks correct.

Looking at my peaks lately if you were getting 4.5kW say a week ago you were very fortunate. A lot of guys will only get 3.8kw at peak production with the 10x455W panels. In the last 6 weeks or so my peak production has been sliding along with the lower angle of the sun. There are factors affecting production but we ignore it for this topic. 

The new panels will thus never be able to use more than 10A of the design Imp of 13A.

If it was my install I would go back to 10 in series for MPPT1 and buy an extra new 455W to have 5 in series on the next MPPT. If they don't fit make the one 9S and 5S for the 2nd string. 

Edited May 4, 20233 yr by Scorp007

11 hours ago, Scorp007 said:

 

If it was my install I would go back to 10 in series for MPPT1 and buy an extra new 455W to have 5 in series on the next MPPT. If they don't fit make the one 9S and 5S for the 2nd string. 

I would do this as well. You know exactly what you had with your first string. I would just add a new string with new panels. Minimum of 5 but 6 would be better. 

Not only is the peak amps important but at lower amps it will also degrade output. If old panels are making 4 Amps the whole string will. Even if new panels should be making 5 Amps 

I also have a Deye 5kW, and 12 x 545W Canadian panels.

I have seen the DC solar power go over 6 kW and when there is grid you can get close to 8kW output due to AC passthrough.

Attached is a pic of mine the other day with high usage, note that the inverter did not complain with an alarm or anything.

 

Just took a screenshot now with solar at 5.7kW, so it can definitely provide more than 5kW from solar.

 

Edited May 6, 20233 yr by broloks
Added another pic

On 2023/05/06 at 11:58 AM, broloks said:

I also have a Deye 5kW, and 12 x 545W Canadian panels.

I have seen the DC solar power go over 6 kW and when there is grid you can get close to 8kW output due to AC passthrough.

Attached is a pic of mine the other day with high usage, note that the inverter did not complain with an alarm or anything.

 

Just took a screenshot now with solar at 5.7kW, so it can definitely provide more than 5kW from solar.

 

Thanks. Strangely enough I managed to get 5.6kw yesterday. What APP is this btw?

16 hours ago, fuzex said:

Thanks. Strangely enough I managed to get 5.6kw yesterday. What APP is this btw?

It's Home Assistant with an ESP32 connected to the Deye to do reading/writing of the sensors.