Hybrid Solar, grid tied solar pv with batteries

[AranM0n3y88]

So wat is better for a home system a hybrid or get everything alone (cc)

n if u want to get a hybrid wat do u look for the most to make sure u buying a gud hybrid system?

I have Tristar mppt 60a n 1k inv. n sum1 telling me I should sell it n get a hybrid

http://neosunenergy.com/product/solar-inverter-neosun-pvh/

wat u think I should do sell or keep mines ?
wat u think of that band hybrid?

[NothingInCommon]

OK guys I keep watching videos that contradict some of the information I got here. According to this guy, you can do grid-tie and STILL use the PV array for power in a grid down scenario WITHOUT batteries using an SMA inverter. PLEASE clarify.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izjZBCRyCK8&t=11m45s

[jflorey2]

What if you got just a couple of batteries then?

1) Large inverters will not work with "a couple of batteries." The first time you had a starting surge the batteries would sag, the LVD would trip and the system would shut down.
2) "A couple of batteries" will be destroyed by 11 kW of solar. You have to keep charge rates down to C/8 which would be an enormous battery bank at 11kW input.

ie: if I have 11kwh in panels , an on/off grid inverter, and a small bank of batteries (less than 11kwh) - would I be able to draw from the full array on a sunny day or would i be "bottlenecked" by the size of the bank?

Some unit problems there.

First you likely have 11kW of solar, not 11kWhr. Secondly, for standard batteries you'd need 88kwhr worth of batteries - or ~64 golf cart batteries - to accept that much charge. And there's no way that 64 golf cart batteries make sense (they wouldn't last long) so you are looking at something like Surette 2V jugs, which are pricey.

If you want to go exotic you could look into things like ultracapacitors - but now you are well beyond anything practical/reliable and into science experiments. They also have next to no energy storage, so you'd have something like 30 seconds of standby at full load.

[NothingInCommon]

This is a sticky thread. Just a little hint though both of those inverters require batteries to work off grid. They are still bimodal inverters though.
the other ones mentioned before can do resistive loads like water heater without a battery but not wired in household loads.

sorry - should i not be updating this thread?

[NothingInCommon]

As you learn more about photovoltaics, you will eventually understand why no PV inverter, ever, will be able to offer uninterrupted household power without some kind of storage. It is just not possible.

What if you got just a couple of batteries then? Or would you have to have a bank that is proportional with the size of your PV array?

ie: if I have 11kwh in panels , an on/off grid inverter, and a small bank of batteries (less than 11kwh) - would I be able to draw from the full array on a sunny day or would i be "bottlenecked" by the size of the bank?

[sensij]

With an inverter like this.. could I avoid power interruptions during the day if I DID NOT have any batteries?

As you learn more about photovoltaics, you will eventually understand why no PV inverter, ever, will be able to offer uninterrupted household power without some kind of storage. It is just not possible.

[ButchDeal]

So I looked up this brand and they only have 1.2kw "on/off" grid inverters.. I wanted something more powerful.

From your advice i found out about this term "on/off grid inverter" and did a search -> http://www.mustpower.com/ph3000-thre...verter-9-12kw/

This claims to support up to 12kw ( I plan to get 11kwh in panels)

With an inverter like this.. could I avoid power interruptions during the day if I DID NOT have any batteries?

This is a sticky thread. Just a little hint though both of those inverters require batteries to work off grid. They are still bimodal inverters though.
the other ones mentioned before can do resistive loads like water heater without a battery but not wired in household loads.

[NothingInCommon]

You might take a look at what CyboEnergy is making. Their products are not very straight forward but I believe they will power resistive loads without battery via their modular system. Not a lot of information out there on how these are working out.

So I looked up this brand and they only have 1.2kw "on/off" grid inverters.. I wanted something more powerful.

From your advice i found out about this term "on/off grid inverter" and did a search -> http://www.mustpower.com/ph3000-thre...verter-9-12kw/

This claims to support up to 12kw ( I plan to get 11kwh in panels)

With an inverter like this.. could I avoid power interruptions during the day if I DID NOT have any batteries?

[adoublee]

Well I was asking because i read one of the shortcomings of grid tie inverter was that you cant use the PV array to power your home if the grid went down. I just wanted to know if the one you mentioned would continue to operator absent of batteries AND should the grid power go out? (during the day of course)

You might take a look at what CyboEnergy is making. Their products are not very straight forward but I believe they will power resistive loads without battery via their modular system. Not a lot of information out there on how these are working out.

[ButchDeal]

Well I was asking because i read one of the shortcomings of grid tie inverter was that you cant use the PV array to power your home if the grid went down. I just wanted to know if the one you mentioned would continue to operator absent of batteries AND should the grid power go out? (during the day of course)

No. As far as I know there is no bimodal inverter that will provide wired in power to the home without a battery. The Storedge will only do that once a battery is added.

[NothingInCommon]

it can not maintain load if the grid is down though without a battery.


if you add the battery It can be configured for islading ( working without the grid)

The storedge is very capable

Well I was asking because i read one of the shortcomings of grid tie inverter was that you cant use the PV array to power your home if the grid went down. I just wanted to know if the one you mentioned would continue to operate absent of batteries AND should the grid power go out? (during the day of course)

[ButchDeal]

Does this battery ready solar edge system switch to PV only if the grid goes down during the day?

it can not maintain load if the grid is down though without a battery.


if you add the battery It can be configured for islading ( working without the grid)

The storedge is very capable

[NothingInCommon]

The hybrid or bimodal inverter itself costs quite a bit more than non bimodal inverters and almost all of them require batteries. ( storedge being one exception to battery requirement but not cost difference )

we do sell storedge edge systems as battery ready but not that many because you can just get the solaredge se7600 and upgrade it latter if you like to the storedge

Does this battery ready solar edge system switch to PV only if the grid goes down during the day?

[atebit]

So I basically decided to do what Butch suggested...my contractor is deleting the batteries but designing the system such that battery can be added later.

[J.P.M.]

If hybrid allows so much flexibility I really don't understand why people wouldnt want it.

Couldn't you simply get a hybrid inverter without the things that add extra costs like batteries. Justifiable or not the added flexibility is very desirous ( newbie opinion). If the only difference would be in the price of a standard grid tie inverter why not shell out the little bit extra for the added flexibility in case you decide you need another source at a later time? or does going hybrid mean added costs even if you are only connecting PV to it?

Pay your money - take your choice. Just do your homework, get honest estimates for costs, and decide if the time and treasure expense are worth the flexibility gained or enjoyed.