Hi folks--We've just finished our first dual 12kW Sol-Ark install (replacing a Fronius 10kW from 10 years ago) and I have a few comments on the recent questions. First, Sol-Ark started with a frustrating manual, but they are improving. To address Dave's question, the on-line manual for the 8k is August 2019 and the 12k is August 2020. The latest Sol-Ark manual shows fuses on both legs of the pv, but this is something you'll have to provide outside the inverter. The pv inputs for the inverters are terminals only, no over current protection. For NEC 2014, Sol-Ark says and we agreed, that if the mppt inputs are limited to two strings, there is no need for over current protection, depending on the current output of the modules. But, I understand this is a gray area and in matters of code, I am often wrong. We piped the pv to midget fuses on a din rail in boxes outside the inverters.
Jeff mentioned using the Midnite 125 bypass. Each Sol-Ark inverter output is limited to 33A off grid and 37.5A on grid, so any 100a bypass switch would work for two Sol-Arks. Wish I would have know about the Midnite. We went with the Reliance TCA1010D, but it costs more and there is little room for your fingers, much less the wire. We ended up adding a nice size j-box below the Reliance and used Morris connectors (similar to Polaris) to bring the two Sol-Arks together. On the inverters, the pv disconnect is on the bottom of the box, way in the back. This is frustrating, because you can't bring a six or eight inch gutter up to the inverters--you need about 3-4 inches to get a hand in there to reach the disconnect--more time making little pieces of pvc nipples with box adapters and oh, don't forget you have to fit metal conduit for the pv conductors and keep them bundled separately in the gutter. Also wish the conduit knock outs were one size bigger, but old, arthritic fingers are always calling for bigger boxes and conduit. The Sol-Ark wifi dongle connection for the third-party PowerView is also stuck in the back underside and its connections are wiggly. The Sol-Ark service desk has been very good with both responses and wait times. With no charge controller and 500 vdc strings, the Sol-Ark is great. For this install, we used the existing pole-mounted 40 Sharp 240s on four strings and added 36 Trina 380s on the barn roof (four strings of nine). The Sharps went to one inverter and the Trinas the other. Eight Simpliphi 3.8s make up the battery bank. Now, if Sol-Ark will make the move to 600V and move the pv disconnect to the side....More power Scotty. For right now, in the past 13 years, I've run an 120V Outback 3648 at home and it's been trouble free, but when the shoemaker's kids get new shoes, they'll be Sol-Ark. I always appreciate the help and sharing on this list. regards, bill Bill HennessyBerks Solar, LLC 371 Centennial Rd Mertztown, PA 19539 o 610 682 4300 c 484 560 4666 NABCEP certified installer PA contractor #44411 www.berkssolar.com On Thursday, September 10, 2020, 2:30:59 PM EDT, Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar <offgridso...@sti.net> wrote: I am confused by the 2 different Sol Ark systems. The large one looks like it has a DC disco/breaker and a solar disco. The smaller solark looks like it has a DC breaker only. Any guidance on what else is needed to make these useable please? Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't" http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ e-mail offgridso...@sti.net text 209 813 0060 On Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:12:31 -0700, Jeff Clearwater <je...@villagepowerdesign.com> wrote: Yea I'm wondering the easiest way to get a 125 AMP Midnite Inverter Bypass assembly in a simple box for 2 Sol-Arks. Midnite would be the perfect candidate for a simple support box (e-panel style) for Stacked Sol-Arks. Any ideas? Thanks, Jeff Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar wrote on 9/10/20 9:37 AM: In an all in one, the good parts are balanced, sometimes, by a small failure making the all in one useless. Only a complete spare will save the day, or night...Also wonder about real world surge capacity on 1 hp pumps and big air compressors. I am glad to hear that they will be making this in Texas, rather than currently only in China. Anyone have more on this please? AC bypass switching is a must for SolArk. They need a PDP or some way to make this easier. The dual mppts are perfect for virtual tracking. I begged for a dual mppt on the new Schneider high voltage 100a mppt :( I wish them good luck and take back most of my concerns. Hope they can make it! Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't" http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ e-mail offgridso...@sti.net text 209 813 0060 On Thu, 10 Sep 2020 07:44:36 -0400, Jason Szumlanski <ja...@floridasolardesigngroup.com> wrote: There is a huge distinction in a hybrid inverter that integrates MPPT charge control. Eliminating all of the extraneous hardware and circuit protection associated with charge controllers is very appealing. The 500V input limit is also a game-changer in terms of wire size. I'm very interested in this approach. On the flip size, an AC Coupled approach is also appealing in a lot of circumstances. Since Sol-Ark supports that, too, it's hard to find downsides other than their infancy in the industry. And for what it's worth, my experience with SMA tech support recently has been abysmal. Long hold times and getting bounced around departments. Jason Szumlanski On Wed, Sep 9, 2020 at 9:50 PM Mark Frye <ma...@berkeleysolar.com> wrote: The most important thing here is that no one is standing up to sing the praises of either SMA or Outback. I myself have sent about 2 hours on hold over 2 days trying to get an issue addressed by SMA. Re: Sol-Arc I would pay a lot extra or take some not so good aspect in exchange for good technical support. On 9/9/2020 1:12 PM, Jason Szumlanski wrote: Any tips on combining AC output from these units when stacking several of them? What bus/OCPD system are you using? Same question for generator/grid input. The solar MPPT inputs appear to be dead simple. Jason Szumlanski | | | | | | | | | On Tue, Sep 8, 2020 at 10:45 PM MiJo Nels <spaceshipnels...@gmail.com> wrote: we've found SolArk to be SOLID!! .. And yes 8 inv yield about 96kW, with a TON of surge capabilities.. Joe NelsonProject Manager C-46/C-10Sustainable Energy Group Inc., A California CorporationCSL# 868816www.SustainableEnergyGroup.com530-273-4422 (Office)530-217-8385 (Cell)   From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of pgir...@mindspring.com <pgir...@mindspring.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 1:24:03 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other? I also suggest the Sol-Ark 12's. Extremely efficient, simple to program, does a wonderful job in either ac coupling, stand alone or pure off grid and terrific customer support. Peter Giroux ASAE From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Bryan Norkunas Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 1:50 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other? Sol-Arks would be possible, you can link 8 inverters. Bryan PV-Cables From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Chris Schaefer Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 10:40 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Microgrid... Outback or SMA or other? I'd suggest giving the crew at Sol-Ark a quick call @ 972-575-8875 with their 12kw unit. Not sure what their max number of inverters are. Christopher On Tue, Sep 8, 2020 at 1:14 PM Kienan Maxfield <maxfieldso...@hotmail.com> wrote: Hey all, I'm designing a microgrid sized off-grid system for somebody, and I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any issues with the following designs... The client says he needs 70 kW. His load data looks pretty solid, so I'm sticking to using that number as a minimum, at least during the initial proposal stage. I only know of two possible equipment options for this size range... - I think I can use up to 10 Outback Radians, for up to an 80 kW system. Are there any bugs or problems with using this many inverters on one hub? I know I've read about issues with selling to the grid, but that's not an issue, this is off-grid. - I know that the SMA cluster box with sunny islands can allow for up to a 72 kW system. Do you know of any bugs or problems with this system? Are there any other options that anyone would suggest? Schneider's website says they can only do up to 61 kW, and Victron can only do up to 60 kW. I know that the Outback system would yield a 240/120 Split-Phase system and that the SMA would yield a 208/120 3Ø system, but this doesn't really matter either way for this job. Thanks so much, Kienan Maxfield Solar maxfieldso...@hotmail.com (801) 631-5584 (Cell) _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- Chris Schaefer's Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870 5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424 www.solarandwindfx.com ~ E-mail: ch...@solarandwindfx.com Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." | | Virus-free. www.avg.com | _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- ~~~~~~~~~~~ Jeff Clearwater Village Power Design linkedin www.villagepowerdesign.com cell - 413-559-9763 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org