jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
Pika was already talking about a DC generator before Generac bought them.
Yes, but unless there is some way to dynamically control its output any PV needs to be separated from the generator when that happens.I was under the assumption that the generator was to be used only as a backup to the backup... didn't think the batteries and generator were compatible in any way
Basically batteries get to too low of a level, the xfer switch shuts them down and changes to generator power until the grid is restored to either recharge the batteries or fire up the PV to recharge the batteries.
*just read the document confirming this
Is it SolarEdge StorEdge equipment? I thought they discontinued that stuff years ago.Still no new update and Solaredge Technical support keeps ignoring my questions. I would love to talk to the design engineers and see what the hang up is. Supposedly from a training video made back in 2021 on BUI wiring the installer/engineer makes a statement that these EG lugs connect after the battery depletes. I took the battery offline and used an ohm meter and never show the EG lugs connect to the load side ever. I guess I should tear one apart and reverse engineer it and sell my findings to all the customers who were cheated by SE.
No, it's their newer backup interface unit.Is it SolarEdge StorEdge equipment? I thought they discontinued that stuff years ago.
One thing about SolarEdge is that their gear is always changing, and many times the documentation you download is obsolete. Another is that the gear you buy may or may not have all the most recent changes. It can be frustrating.The situation seems to have changed. I received an email from SolarEdge on October 17 that seems to announce that generators can be connected to the Backup Utility Interface now. Not yet confirmed by my local SolarEdge rep. I made this .pdf extract from the email. The document from the link (se-solaredge-inverter-generator-compatibility-with-energy-hub-and-backup-interface-application-note-eng-042023se-solaredge-inverter-generator-compatibility-with-energy-hub-and-backup-interface-application-note-eng-042023) still has the notice " The capability of synchronous generation with the ESS and the generator will be available with future firmware versions. but offers the capability of co-generation with supporting firmware. ".
There is a link to more data but it is long and may be clipped by posting: https://8979728.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8979728/NAM Assets/se-solaredge-inverter-generator-compatibility-with-energy-hub-and-backup-interface-application-note-eng-042023.pdf
Was at one of their in person trainings and a section became obsolete "while" the instructor was demonstrating live, the online instruction dropped and changed. Training by a solar edge employee.One thing about SolarEdge is that their gear is always changing, and many times the documentation you download is obsolete. Another is that the gear you buy may or may not have all the most recent changes. It can be frustrating.
?? I don't believe AC coupled backup systems and lithium ion batteries of the size needed for them were around 20+ years ago.There are a number of legacy on/off grid companies and a few new ones that will do generator support natively. Why fight with Solaredge?
Outback - Schneider/Xantrex - Sol-Ark
I had a customer call wanting the "new" Generac 380 volt DC generator. Turns out it was dropped at the beginning of this year.
This problem has been solved for 20+ years if you buy the right equipment in the first place.
Are you talking about SMA Sunny Islands? Their main problem is that they were (maybe still are) only 5kW and 120V, but for what they were they worked pretty well. You could program them to work with Sunny Boy inverters, a generator, and the grid.I forgot to mention SMA. They were around 20 years ago and AC coupled. But who says it needs to be AC coupled?
AC coupling does not play all that well with islanded power. It works, but it's a kludge.
I am, but they are able to be stacked series and parallel with as many units as you will ever need. So 120v 5kw is not a problem.Are you talking about SMA Sunny Islands? Their main problem is that they were (maybe still are) only 5kW and 120V, but for what they were they worked pretty well. You could program them to work with Sunny Boy inverters, a generator, and the grid.
I forgot to mention SMA. They were around 20 years ago and AC coupled. But who says it needs to be AC coupled?
AC coupling does not play all that well with islanded power. It works, but it's a kludge.