Everything Solar Forum

Hi all

I have had a small rooftop array since 2007. I have decided to replace the roof (over 20 y/o) and since they have to remove the array I might as well upgrade to new modules. I also want to install a battery (probably 10 kWh for short outages). I am a solar researcher who has two PV+BESS installed in my lab for several years. One is a DC coupled Solaredge HDWave inverter and the other is a SMA AC Coupled Sunny Boy system.. Both have 10 kWh LG Li battery. Frankly I would not install either in my home. The Solaredge has constant problems with software updates causing us to lose communications or data interface. My installer says they feel Solaredge is not ready for prime time. The SMA has deep experience but poor customer service and their system does not include MLPE capability. . I need a system with MLPE since I will be adding modules to shaded areas of the roof that were off limits in 2007 due to heavy shading. 

There are several new inverter+ BESS systems out there. Most are DC coupled, some AC (microinverters like Enphase, Franklin). Who has had experience good or bad with any inverter+BESS packages? Would you install them in your own home or would you install them again? 

BTW I am donating my old array and inverter to habitat for humanity. The system has degraded about 0.5% per year for 18 years which is better than predicted. The modules were GE200 multi-Si and inverter is Schneider (no longer in the business). 

Thanks

Steve 

Hi all

I have had a small rooftop array since 2007. I have decided to replace the roof (over 20 y/o) and since they have to remove the array I might as well upgrade to new modules. I also want to install a battery (probably 10 kWh for short outages). I am a solar researcher who has two PV+BESS installed in my lab for several years. One is a DC coupled Solaredge HDWave inverter and the other is a SMA AC Coupled Sunny Boy system.. Both have 10 kWh LG Li battery. Frankly I would not install either in my home. The Solaredge has constant problems with software updates causing us to lose communications or data interface. My installer says they feel Solaredge is not ready for prime time. The SMA has deep experience but poor customer service and their system does not include MLPE capability. . I need a system with MLPE since I will be adding modules to shaded areas of the roof that were off limits in 2007 due to heavy shading. 

There are several new inverter+ BESS systems out there. Most are DC coupled, some AC (microinverters like Enphase, Franklin). Who has had experience good or bad with any inverter+BESS packages? Would you install them in your own home or would you install them again? 

BTW I am donating my old array and inverter to habitat for humanity. The system has degraded about 0.5% per year for 18 years which is better than predicted. The modules were GE200 multi-Si and inverter is Schneider (no longer in the business). 

Thanks

Steve 

Hi all

I have had a small rooftop array since 2007. I have decided to replace the roof (over 20 y/o) and since they have to remove the array I might as well upgrade to new modules. I also want to install a battery (probably 10 kWh for short outages). I am a solar researcher who has two PV+BESS installed in my lab for several years. One is a DC coupled Solaredge HDWave inverter and the other is a SMA AC Coupled Sunny Boy system.. Both have 10 kWh LG Li battery. Frankly I would not install either in my home. The Solaredge has constant problems with software updates causing us to lose communications or data interface. My installer says they feel Solaredge is not ready for prime time. The SMA has deep experience but poor customer service and their system does not include MLPE capability. . I need a system with MLPE since I will be adding modules to shaded areas of the roof that were off limits in 2007 due to heavy shading. 

There are several new inverter+ BESS systems out there. Most are DC coupled, some AC (microinverters like Enphase, Franklin). Who has had experience good or bad with any inverter+BESS packages? Would you install them in your own home or would you install them again? 

BTW I am donating my old array and inverter to habitat for humanity. The system has degraded about 0.5% per year for 18 years which is better than predicted. The modules were GE200 multi-Si and inverter is Schneider (no longer in the business). 

Thanks

Steve 

Hi all

I have had a small rooftop array since 2007. I have decided to replace the roof (over 20 y/o) and since they have to remove the array I might as well upgrade to new modules. I also want to install a battery (probably 10 kWh for short outages). I am a solar researcher who has two PV+BESS installed in my lab for several years. One is a DC coupled Solaredge HDWave inverter and the other is a SMA AC Coupled Sunny Boy system.. Both have 10 kWh LG Li battery. Frankly I would not install either in my home. The Solaredge has constant problems with software updates causing us to lose communications or data interface. My installer says they feel Solaredge is not ready for prime time. The SMA has deep experience but poor customer service and their system does not include MLPE capability. . I need a system with MLPE since I will be adding modules to shaded areas of the roof that were off limits in 2007 due to heavy shading. 

There are several new inverter+ BESS systems out there. Most are DC coupled, some AC (microinverters like Enphase, Franklin). Who has had experience good or bad with any inverter+BESS packages? Would you install them in your own home or would you install them again? 

BTW I am donating my old array and inverter to habitat for humanity. The system has degraded about 0.5% per year for 18 years which is better than predicted. The modules were GE200 multi-Si and inverter is Schneider (no longer in the business). 

Thanks

Steve 

Hi Steven,

Habitat for Humanity is a good option. We (Equitable Solar Solutions) work with them in Colorado to build reuse PV arrays. Would you mind sending me a few photos of the module front and back sides for a quick review? I'm one of the co-authors of IEC 63525 report on best practices for reuse of PV modules and sometimes we find equipment that is not suitable for reuse. It sounds like they are all meeting or exceeding the manufacturer's linear power warranty. What instrument did you use to measure power performance? I can recommend the Elejoy EY1800W and the new FLIR PV meter as well.

Regards,

Rich

restromberg@alaska.edu   

Hi all

I have had a small rooftop array since 2007. I have decided to replace the roof (over 20 y/o) and since they have to remove the array I might as well upgrade to new modules. I also want to install a battery (probably 10 kWh for short outages). I am a solar researcher who has two PV+BESS installed in my lab for several years. One is a DC coupled Solaredge HDWave inverter and the other is a SMA AC Coupled Sunny Boy system.. Both have 10 kWh LG Li battery. Frankly I would not install either in my home. The Solaredge has constant problems with software updates causing us to lose communications or data interface. My installer says they feel Solaredge is not ready for prime time. The SMA has deep experience but poor customer service and their system does not include MLPE capability. . I need a system with MLPE since I will be adding modules to shaded areas of the roof that were off limits in 2007 due to heavy shading. 

There are several new inverter+ BESS systems out there. Most are DC coupled, some AC (microinverters like Enphase, Franklin). Who has had experience good or bad with any inverter+BESS packages? Would you install them in your own home or would you install them again? 

BTW I am donating my old array and inverter to habitat for humanity. The system has degraded about 0.5% per year for 18 years which is better than predicted. The modules were GE200 multi-Si and inverter is Schneider (no longer in the business). 

Thanks

Steve