Solar Power Surges and how to control/stop them damaging appliances

[maesr@bigpond.com]

I am considering installing 30 250v solar panels and required inverter. However, recently solar power system owners here in
Queensland Australia, where I live, are having power surges that are damaging their appliances? As I am just starting to evaluate solar power, what measures must I consider in the system I am considering to prevent these surges??

[vasans]

You mean off-grid systems? Look at these inverters http://www.sma-america.com/en_US/pro...inverters.html

I am considering installing 30 250v solar panels and required inverter. However, recently solar power system owners here in
Queensland Australia, where I live, are having power surges that are damaging their appliances? As I am just starting to evaluate solar power, what measures must I consider in the system I am considering to prevent these surges??

[Sunking]

If you are Grid Tied almost impossible for a surge. Battery system remotely but almost impossible.

[maesr@bigpond.com]

Power Surges in Australia

You mean off-grid systems? Look at these inverters http://www.sma-america.com/en_US/pro...inverters.html

The system I am considering is on grid!! People here are experiencing surges damaging appliances with on grid systems?

[Sunking]

Rural or City?

[Mike90250]

I am considering installing 30 250v solar panels and required inverter. However, recently solar power system owners here in
Queensland Australia, where I live, are having power surges that are damaging their appliances? As I am just starting to evaluate solar power, what measures must I consider in the system I am considering to prevent these surges??

Surges most likely come from the grid, not your local inverter. Or lightning storms. Those can quickly fry an inverter, grid or battery based

[maesr@bigpond.com]

Solar Power Surges

Rural or City?

City. All incidents I have heard of are in the metro area!!!

[peakbagger]

Installing a Surge suppressor on the incoming panel is generally recommended to protect the inverters from the grid. I had one of my inverters get fried due to a grid issue a few years back despite havign a Delta arrestor and another arrestor on the panel. I have switched to a Midnight Solar arrestor whihc is rated for a lower clamping voltage.


I am not sure what Australia has for requirements for equipment but if they let in Chinese no name inverters, all bets are off.

[Sunking]

City. All incidents I have heard of are in the metro area!!!

Honestly it is almost impossible for a solar grid tied system to create any kind of surge. It is just not physically possible. Most likely the issue is with the utility switching operation or nearby industrial plants switching in/out loads.

It is possible for a battery system to cause a TVSS event because you have the batteries sitting there being capable of delivering a huge burst of power. Solar panels are just not capable of producing a burst of energy unless they are being turned on or off suddenly.