New lisenced contractor and wanting to learn more about design and install of PV/ESS/Generator systems with a microgrid internnect device, either grid-tied or not. I have Mike's Solar/PV book to focus on code, which is great. I'm looking for best sources of content for design/install. I can handle a generator 200A ATS, but pulling in PV....
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
PV and Microgrid design learning
- Thread starter bmaclaff
- Start date
jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
As a PV/BESS microgrid guy (but not a generator guy) ....
My advice would be to somehow pick a manufacturer or two to start with, and do their training and read their manuals thoroughly. Because there are lots of manufacturer specific details to system design, and most reputable manufacturers want you to go through a certification process anyway (usually not too burdensome: watch some videos online and take a brief quiz to show you were paying attention). It's a bit of a Wild West right now as far as lots of products jockeying for market postion especially now that LFP batteries are widely available, so ... good luck picking.
As far as manufacturers, I'm exclusively an Enphase installer. Enphase can integrate a generator (not using ATS) and is all AC which simplifies things for most electricians, and has great support and training materials. Also handles shading really well with micro-inverters. The downside is it's relatively expensive. Right now other alternatives I'm potentially interested in have DC coupled batteries in series so your circuit stays at 50A as you expand battery capacity (Fortress Avalon, Point Guard). Myself I'm not interested in old 48V battery systems with big battery cables.
Not that many PV/BESS systems really integrate a generator, but you can always put an ATS on the *load* side of a PV/BESS system's backup output to create a cascading backup system, i.e. grid fails PV/BESS takes over, if that fails generator takes over. Those that do integrate generators more directly will have very specific requirements to pay attention to.
On the solar side, pay attention to rapid shutdown requirements because that is probably the biggest bugaboo with some of these systems, they don't integrate it so you have to integrate it yourself, or they have a solution which may not be great. Also systems without micros or optimizers require more careful attention to array design.
Speaking of which, as a generator guy you might be interested in Generac's Powrcell line but I was reading in the last couple years of problems with their rapid shutdown devices that were affecting a lot of customers. Also I've used Solaredge in the past but can't recommend them: great system conceptually but QC and support were terrible, plus another reason I can't mention.
Take this all for what it's worth, your mileage may vary. Lots more could be said.
My advice would be to somehow pick a manufacturer or two to start with, and do their training and read their manuals thoroughly. Because there are lots of manufacturer specific details to system design, and most reputable manufacturers want you to go through a certification process anyway (usually not too burdensome: watch some videos online and take a brief quiz to show you were paying attention). It's a bit of a Wild West right now as far as lots of products jockeying for market postion especially now that LFP batteries are widely available, so ... good luck picking.
As far as manufacturers, I'm exclusively an Enphase installer. Enphase can integrate a generator (not using ATS) and is all AC which simplifies things for most electricians, and has great support and training materials. Also handles shading really well with micro-inverters. The downside is it's relatively expensive. Right now other alternatives I'm potentially interested in have DC coupled batteries in series so your circuit stays at 50A as you expand battery capacity (Fortress Avalon, Point Guard). Myself I'm not interested in old 48V battery systems with big battery cables.
Not that many PV/BESS systems really integrate a generator, but you can always put an ATS on the *load* side of a PV/BESS system's backup output to create a cascading backup system, i.e. grid fails PV/BESS takes over, if that fails generator takes over. Those that do integrate generators more directly will have very specific requirements to pay attention to.
On the solar side, pay attention to rapid shutdown requirements because that is probably the biggest bugaboo with some of these systems, they don't integrate it so you have to integrate it yourself, or they have a solution which may not be great. Also systems without micros or optimizers require more careful attention to array design.
Speaking of which, as a generator guy you might be interested in Generac's Powrcell line but I was reading in the last couple years of problems with their rapid shutdown devices that were affecting a lot of customers. Also I've used Solaredge in the past but can't recommend them: great system conceptually but QC and support were terrible, plus another reason I can't mention.
Take this all for what it's worth, your mileage may vary. Lots more could be said.