4KW panels with a 3.6KW inverter

[thevulture]

Hi,

I bought a 4KW System, and I have just noticed the inverter is rated as 3.6KW
The inverter is this one: GoodWe 3.6KW Solar Inverter, GW3600S-UK
Should the inverter not me rated at 4KW.

I live in Scotland, UK. Twice now on the hottest days of the year the inverter has ended up in an error state. Could it be because of the above?

Thanks,
Neil

[sensij]

It is unlikely your 4 kW of panels were capable of producing more than 3.6 kW of power, especially on a hot day. Heat reduces the efficiency of the panels. Something else is responsible for the error.

[solarix]

Because the label (standard test condition) rating for PV panels is an ideal spec. occurring at perfect sun angle and cool temperatures, you rarely get this much power (if ever) - but that is the universal spec everyone goes by. It is standard procedure therefore to use an inverter that is 10 to 20% smaller than the array's rating.
On the other hand, we also like to over size inverters so that customers have room for easy expansion at a later date if desired.

[thevulture]

Thanks for putting my mind at rest.

Interestingly; my MCS Certificate states the following:

Total Installed Capacity (kW): 4.00
Declared Net Capacity (kW): 3.68

[a.abonero7]

I hav 10 pcs 100watts solar panel and i hav 1000watts gridtie inverter input 18 volt. What size of wire to use in thhn? Thank you

[Logan5]

I hav 10 pcs 100watts solar panel and i hav 1000watts gridtie inverter input 18 volt. What size of wire to use in thhn? Thank you

18 volts is a very low solar input voltage? Do you know what is the Max solar input voltage? 18 volts into inverter any run over 10ft is going to have great wire loss. Of course you could use AWG 0, Your still going to want to locate the inverter as close to the panels as you can.

[a.abonero7]

This is the full specs of inverter. Tnx Smart Grid Tie inverter is a compact unit,which directly converts direct current into alternating current for powering appliances and/or office equipments and connecting to utility grid.The AC output from Smart Micro inverter is synchronized and in-phase with the utility grid.It is a key device of power generation systems such as PV power generation system.
Smart Micro inverter specially optimized design to work with modularization of DC power supplies which includes the mainstream solar modules,18V(36cells),24V(60 cells) and 36V (72cells)Moncrystal and/or polycrystalline solar panels and batteries.Smart Micro inverters are stabliation,reliable and high conversion efficiency items.It is the best choice for PV power generation system.

Smart Micro inverter can be easily placed and attached to the rack underneath of PV module.No need sapces for independent installation and low voltage DC wre connects from the PV module to smart Micro inverter can eliminate the risk of high DC voltage.Distributed modularization design philosophy for smart micro inverter insures the productiveness of the whole system and will not affect by a single point of failure.Each Smart Micro inverter is individually connected to each PV module in the array.This unique configuation means that an individual Maximum Peak Power Point Tracker(MPPT) controls each PV modules in the array which may be affected by shading,soiling,orientation or mismatch,etc.
Smart Micro inverter insures top performance for maximizing energy production from the whole PV system and gets return on investment in less time.

[a.abonero7]

I plan to use thhn stranded #12 wire. Tnx your advices.

[SunEagle]

I plan to use thhn stranded #12 wire. Tnx your advices.

Even if the wire is in conduit and outdoors it needs to be rated for wet conditions or something like THWN insulation as well as being large enough to meet the minimum voltage drop of the inverter output voltage based on the distance and current load between it and the panel connection. Hopefully there is a connection diagram that comes with those micro inverters..