Good Day all.

I have an Axpert MKS 4 5.5 Kw max inverter that has two pv inputs. I have a single string connected of 7x420w panels giving 235V into the inverter (the max input is 500v)  and it seems to be working fine. I have a pair of Pylontech us5000 batteries (awaiting a third in time) and the setup is providing sufficient to run my house at present. With the fine weather eventually coming to an end  I had considered getting a small 500w or thereabouts wind turbine and connecting its output to my inverter via the second pv input as a way of supplementing my pv.

I realise when using the turbines there is a need for a shunt to control the turbine and to use excess/surplus power generated via the shunt but as a precursor to going any further I was hoping someone could give me a heads up on the requirements of adding a turbine to a pv system.

I have a reasonably good position for the turbine and even if it only works 50% of the time then it is 50% more than nothing. What I would like to know is the best way to connect the output of the turbine to the second pv input of the inverter and what requirements there are for ensuring it is able to be controlled and the power generated is used as a supplement to the pv. The turbine will likely be something like the small bladed type found on canal boats for trickle charging their battery systems. 

I am happy to take on board any and all advice if it is available and if there are good reasons not to do this then of course I would like to know them too.

Many thanks in advance

Bony999

Hi Bony999,

I would be inclined to have the turbine directly feed into the batteries. I'm very suspicious how an MPPT would handle a turbine input, if it is able to. It all depends on what the turbine outputs. If you can choose select one that outputs 50 to 52V DC (for 15 cells batteries).

I agree with @Beat's comments. If you decide to use a wind turbine, use a wind charge controller, i.e. a charger designed to work with wind turbines.'

For domestic situations, there are issues of required space, noise, objections from neighbours, etc. Plus, you may not get much energy production for all that effort.

This happens to have been discussed recently in an AEVA forum:

https://forums.aeva.asn.au/viewtopic.php?t=8301