What about a Generac SMM (Smart Management Module) on the A/c feed to the inverter to lock out the Solar when your Generator is on? There is a switch that will either shed the load if the Freq. drops, or it will lock out the load when Gen is started.I have a newly installed grid-tied solar PV system with microinverters. We have a gas powered (Honda EU7000is) inverter generator that also back-feeds the main panel to the house on a manual transfer switch.
During a utility outage - if the generator is wired upstream from the microinverters and powered up they should 'see' a new voltage/frequency source and turn on correct ? If yes, and microinverters are set to "grid no-export", what happens when the PV panels start making more power? Same microinverter limiting function as with utility power? Would this damage the generator?
I assume the generator hardly needs to be running at that point if the PV is producing, just enough power to provide VAC/freq reference to the microinverters?
Thanks for the recommendation JG.What about a Generac SMM (Smart Management Module) on the A/c feed to the inverter to lock out the Solar when your Generator is on? There is a switch that will either shed the load if the Freq. drops, or it will lock out the load when Gen is started.
Well the goal was to use the generator as a voltage source only during an outage to provide the needed Vac to allow the solar system to run/produce. The PV array would be the main source of power during the outage, not the generator. Currently, I can hook the generator up to the manual transfer switch that I have and hit the AC disconnect to the PV inverters and run the whole house off the generator.
Nice video, I like this guy's thinking.Perhaps you can do something like this via manual transfer switch but with a generator to charge batteries when necessary.
Nice video, I like this guy's thinking.
I am not sure this application would work for me as my ESS is also AC coupled, not a DC array (4 integrated AC Microinverters). The price for this Magna AC-coupled via "quick" google search came up with a $5.5K+ price tag but I could be looking at a different model. For that price I can get the recommended solution - MPU + Enpower SS. Also not sure this solution complies with Rapid Shutdown requirements but I could be wrong.
Thanks for posting the recommendation!
Encharge can be installed with or without the Enpower MID. Without it, it doesn't stay powered off grid.So, you already have EnCharge 3? If so, that should already work with your rooftop micros in blackouts. Now it's a bit unclear what you are trying to accomplish.
You should never back feed on the grid side with a generator. If the power goes out and the electric company sends guys out to work on the line they can be electrocuted. Electricity doesn't care which way it travels, its still dangerous going out of your house as coming in, but at least the power company can throw a disconnect switch on their side...I have a newly installed grid-tied solar PV system with microinverters. We have a gas powered (Honda EU7000is) inverter generator that also back-feeds the main panel to the house on a manual transfer switch.
During a utility outage - if the generator is wired upstream from the microinverters and powered up they should 'see' a new voltage/frequency source and turn on correct ? If yes, and microinverters are set to "grid no-export", what happens when the PV panels start making more power? Same microinverter limiting function as with utility power? Would this damage the generator?
I assume the generator hardly needs to be running at that point if the PV is producing, just enough power to provide VAC/freq reference to the microinverters?
That's what automatic transfer switches are for. But of course, if you have your generator running and connected to the grid during an outage, it will likely see a virtual dead short on its output conductors and shut down, anyway.You should never back feed on the grid side with a generator. If the power goes out and the electric company sends guys out to work on the line they can be electrocuted. Electricity doesn't care which way it travels, its still dangerous going out of your house as coming in, but at least the power company can throw a disconnect switch on their side...
Encharge can be installed with or without the Enpower MID. Without it, it doesn't stay powered off grid.
I am not sure this application would work for me as my ESS is also AC coupled, not a DC array (4 integrated AC Microinverters).
Agreed. I have seen many posts by people who want to "fool" an inverter into thinking the grid is up when it isn't so that it will continue to run during an outage without batteries. Most or all of these schemes are not well thought out, and at best they won't work and at worst will do harm.Always amazes me the amount of time and energy people will invest in trying to drive a square peg into a round hole. If you need backup power then put in a backup system that will work as designed. Macgyver this and you will most likely end up with a poor performing system that is unsafe to operate, or an expensive pile of burned-out electronics. That's my PSA for the day.
With reminder from @jaggedben I doubt your Encharge will work as desired without Enpower since it's designed to only generate power when the grid is disconnected and confirmed via proprietary communication protocol. So, unless someone can decode the protocol a standalone Encharge is likely a very large paperweight. ...
Not sure what you are referring to. I was not talking when the grid is present. As I stated "when the grid is disconnected".No, this is not correct. An Encharge can be installed with Enphase solar inverters and configured to operate only when the grid is present. The Encharges' capabilities will depend on whether there is an Enpower in the system.
