System design question with Solaredge Inverters and minimum Optimizers

[PresterJohn]

Here's the general idea:

Doing an agrivoltaic installation for distributed generation, got some panels (VSUN550-144BMH-DG), got some inverters (SE5000H). Didn't realize Solaredge inverters require optimizers. In the process procuring them (S1201).

My background:

I'm working for a startup and due to the nature of them (shoestring budgets) I got put on figuring out procurement/design our EE guy has given some guidance on. He doesn't have much of a solar background and subsequently had no idea Solaredge inverters need optimizers in order to function. All he was focusing on was the input/output of the inverter and our design (12 panels per inverter and single phase output required by the utility). So now we've got a bunch of inverters but no optimizers, but I'm being asked to figure out a way to minimize the number of optimizers needed in order to have the inverters function. After digging around and reading a lot of posts on this forum, I figured I'd ask you all for some help.

Here's the current scope of the project:

The main focus of this project is not efficient power production. The main focus is a proof of concept for implementing solar on cattle ranches. The project does need to produce power. The current budget for the project is very limited.

Here are my questions/problems:

If I have 12 panels in an array (A1) and I connect 1 panel (P1) of the array to an optimizer (O1) and connect O1 to an inverter (I1) can I connect the rest of the panels in array A1 to inverter I1 without any connection to any other optimizers?

Also it appears that SE has features within their optimizers which have their systems compliant with NEC rapid shutdown requirements. Would connecting panels to an inverter that didn't have optimizers (but having at least 1 panel with an optimizer going to the inverter) negate or compromise these safety features?

Thanks for any feedback

 

[Zee]

Each panel must have its own optimizer.
There may be a dual panel optimizer which might save you cost and labor.

 

[jaggedben]

...
Also it appears that SE has features within their optimizers which have their systems compliant with NEC rapid shutdown requirements. Would connecting panels to an inverter that didn't have optimizers (but having at least 1 panel with an optimizer going to the inverter) negate or compromise these safety features?
...

At best such an idea simply won't work and at worst it might destroy the inverter.

Solaredge is a pretty unique system and was a bad choice if you didn't want the optimizers.

Technically rapid shutdown is not required for your application since the panels are not on buildings.

 

[solarken]

Here's the general idea:

Doing an agrivoltaic installation for distributed generation, got some panels (VSUN550-144BMH-DG), got some inverters (SE5000H). Didn't realize Solaredge inverters require optimizers. In the process procuring them (S1201).
.

My background:

I'm working for a startup and due to the nature of them (shoestring budgets) I got put on figuring out procurement/design our EE guy has given some guidance on. He doesn't have much of a solar background and subsequently had no idea Solaredge inverters need optimizers in order to function. All he was focusing on was the input/output of the inverter and our design (12 panels per inverter and single phase output required by the utility). So now we've got a bunch of inverters but no optimizers, but I'm being asked to figure out a way to minimize the number of optimizers needed in order to have the inverters function. After digging around and reading a lot of posts on this forum, I figured I'd ask you all for some help.

Here's the current scope of the project:

The main focus of this project is not efficient power production. The main focus is a proof of concept for implementing solar on cattle ranches. The project does need to produce power. The current budget for the project is very limited.

Here are my questions/problems:

If I have 12 panels in an array (A1) and I connect 1 panel (P1) of the array to an optimizer (O1) and connect O1 to an inverter (I1) can I connect the rest of the panels in array A1 to inverter I1 without any connection to any other optimizers?

Also it appears that SE has features within their optimizers which have their systems compliant with NEC rapid shutdown requirements. Would connecting panels to an inverter that didn't have optimizers (but having at least 1 panel with an optimizer going to the inverter) negate or compromise these safety features?

Thanks for any feedback

S1201 optimizers are designed for 3 phase commercial inverters. The SE5000H is a residential single phase inverter. If you are on a shoestring budget, you should stop buying equipment that may be incompatible together. You probably shouldn't be looking to use Solaredge for an agrivoltaic application, especially if you are just starting to learn and are playing around with building a system for the first time. You might want to consider hiring an experienced PV designer to help you with your first system, so you can learn the basics and not waste money on hardware that won't allow work together.

 

[PresterJohn]

Thanks for all the feedback- if I find out anything more on my end about how it all ends up working I'll be sure to send the info along. Now that I read about the rapid shutdown being in enclosed areas, I see what you mean.

Ya looks like S1201 wouldn't be compatible - I think I had a note of that somewhere, but it got lost in the shuffle- thanks for the reminder! Also, very true an experience PV designer would be beneficial.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Carultch]

Here are my questions/problems:

If I have 12 panels in an array (A1) and I connect 1 panel (P1) of the array to an optimizer (O1) and connect O1 to an inverter (I1) can I connect the rest of the panels in array A1 to inverter I1 without any connection to any other optimizers?

Also it appears that SE has features within their optimizers which have their systems compliant with NEC rapid shutdown requirements. Would connecting panels to an inverter that didn't have optimizers (but having at least 1 panel with an optimizer going to the inverter) negate or compromise these safety features?

SolarEdge inverters externalize the job of maximum power point tracking onto the optimizers, and aren't meant for running with modules directly connected to the inverters. The manufacturer does not approve directly connecting modules, or a mixture of modules with optimizers and modules without optimizers. There is also a document with a table on inter-compatibility among optimizer models, so you have limitations on which optimizers you can mix and match on the same inverter.

The issue is that the SolarEdge inverters set the total input voltage, and send commands to the optimizers to coordinate among one another to add up their voltages to meet that target. Being in series, the optimizer currents all have to be the same, while their voltages will vary with available power on each module. Each optimizer can remix the voltage and current like a transformer of a dynamic turns ratio, so that the system solves an algebra problem meet Kirchhoff's laws, and let each module contribute the power available to it.

 

[pv_n00b]

I would recommend returning everything and putting your pencil down. You are in way over your head on this and you are burning the startup's funds to no end. If the startup does not have the funding to get a PV designer and put the system together under a reasonable budget then they need to rethink what they are doing and get funding to actually do the job. I know that sounds harsh but underfunded startups fail and I like to see agrovoltaic projects succeed.

 

[ggunn]

I would recommend returning everything and putting your pencil down. You are in way over your head on this and you are burning the startup's funds to no end. If the startup does not have the funding to get a PV designer and put the system together under a reasonable budget then they need to rethink what they are doing and get funding to actually do the job. I know that sounds harsh but underfunded startups fail and I like to see agrovoltaic projects succeed.

Agreed. Every module connected to a SolarEdge inverter must be connected through an optimizer, and there are rules from SE about how the optimizers can be deployed for their different inverters and AC interconnection voltages. These rules must be adhered to for the system to operate correctly (if at all) and for the equipment warranty to remain in effect. A PV system must be completely and correctly designed by someone who knows what they are doing (especially for a SolarEdge system) before the first piece of equipment is purchased; otherwise it is a recipe for disaster.

Additionally, a ground mounted PV system does not have to be rapid shutdown compliant; building one with SolarEdge, even if it is done correctly, is probably a significant waste of money.

 

[PresterJohn]

I'm glad you're in the corner of agrivoltaics succeeding, as well as startups! Harsh criticism is the only way we learn sometimes. I'll be sure to pass on your advice as to how the business should structure/organize/prioritize things in order to be successful.

 

[ggunn]

I'm glad you're in the corner of agrivoltaics succeeding, as well as startups! Harsh criticism is the only way we learn sometimes. I'll be sure to pass on your advice as to how the business should structure/organize/prioritize things in order to be successful.

Consult a professional PV system designer; it will be well worth the expense.