Choosing between SolarEdge HD Wave SE3800H-US and SE5000H-US

[jpoet]

Hi all.

I am likely going to get 18 LG335N1C-A5 panels, with 10 facing south and the other 8 facing east. The SolarEdge HD Wave SE3800H-US should match up well with this, I think. It can handle up to 5900 DC watts and the maximum peak I would see from those 18 panels is (mathematically) 6030. Since the panels are divided into two orientations, I doubt I would even see a peak of 5900.

However, it does not leave me any room to grow. In a few years I might get an EV, in which case I would probably want to add another couple of panels. My installer has offered me the SolarEdge HD Wave SE5000H-US instead, at no additional charge. That inverter can handle up to 7750 DC watts. I would have to wait for it to become available, but the rumor seems to be that that should happen by mid-summer.

Is there any disadvantage to getting the SE5000H-US over the LG335N1C-A5 with a 6kW system? I know with computer power supplies, they become less efficient if they are over-sized for the computer's needs. Does they same thing happen with inverters like this?

Since getting the EV is only a dream at this point, do I go with a well matched system, or give myself room to grow?

Thanks,

John

[sensij]

The SE5000H-US isn't shipping yet, so there is that. If you only have a 100 A busbar in your main service panel, going above 3800 W will add another grand or two of upgrade costs.

[NateHornblower]

My understanding is the inverters have a sweet spot - an optimization curve if you will. Similar thread: https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...nverter-sizing

Have you downloaded the Solar Edge site designer?

https://www.solaredge.com/sites/default/files/inverter_dc_oversizing_guide.pdf

[ButchDeal]

Well you are over the warranty limit. For the SE3800H. The SE5000H isn't shipping yet but you can install the SE5000A or SE6000A without any problem. Solaredge inverters by the nature of the constant voltage optimizers are feeding them are fairly constant efficiency.

[sensij]

Well you are over the warranty limit. For the SE3800H. The SE5000H isn't shipping yet but you can install the SE5000A or SE6000A without any problem. Solaredge inverters by the nature of the constant voltage optimizers are feeding them are fairly constant efficiency.

Yeah, it certainly seems like too much array for 3800 W. OP could run PVWatts (premium panel, 8% loss) for the south facing and east facing arrays separately, then download the hourly output and add them together. Any combined power over 3800 would get clipped, and it should give a decent estimate of the difference in production between the two inverters. For the same price, the 5000 seems like the better choice, even if it is the A model instead of the H.

[jpoet]

I downloaded the SolarEdge design tool, and see that it says that I am over-limit for the SE3800H-US. I think I will wait a while, and see if the SE5000H-US comes out in June.

Thank you, everyone.

[jpoet]

BTW, the SolarEdge Design Tool is predicting quite a bit more output than my installer indicated. If I got as much as the Design Tool indicates, I would not need any more panels even if I did buy an EV.

[sensij]

BTW, the SolarEdge Design Tool is predicting quite a bit more output than my installer indicated. If I got as much as the Design Tool indicates, I would not need any more panels even if I did buy an EV.

Give PVWatts a try too.

[ButchDeal]

BTW, the SolarEdge Design Tool is predicting quite a bit more output than my installer indicated. If I got as much as the Design Tool indicates, I would not need any more panels even if I did buy an EV.

The solaredge design tool does not have much capabilities for shadow calculation. Tools like Aurora have far better capabilities for shadow calcs

[jpoet]

Give PVWatts a try too.

I kept going to http://pvwatts.org/ instead of http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/ . Going to the correct site is much more productive!

I am going to wait for the HD Wave 5000 to become available. Hopefully I will not have to wait long

[jpoet]

My last post is sitting in an "Unapproved" state. I am guessing that is because I tried to included links... Anyway, going to the "correct" pvwatts site makes a big difference.

I am going to wait until the HD Wave 5000 is available. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long