Grid tie system with well pump backup

[inetdog]

The inverter numbers as listed are grid tie only.

WWW

This one isn't:

He also mentioned that there is a Sunny Boy inverter coming out which will provide power during outages, but only when the sun is out. It is a Sunny Boy 4000tl-us inverter

[Wy_White_Wolf]

This one isn't:

But if you look at the systems he quoted that is not the inverter listed

[oakhilltop]

But if you look at the systems he quoted that is not the inverter listed

Just to clear things up.
In one of my posts I said this.
"He also mentioned that there is a Sunny Boy inverter coming out which will provide power during outages, but only when the sun is out. It is a Sunny Boy 4000tl-us inverter"

I inquired about the upcoming inverter running the well pump, and the installer replied with
"Depending on the needed inputs of the pump, the solar array in theory could power it. It sounds like it will be a dedicated outlet that will be powered when the grid is down."

I had also asked if the pump needed a small buffer of batteries but he didn't address that issue. I don't think the installer wants to think much about any usage while the grid is down. Other than using the new inverter. So, I am on my own, or I may get a few more quotes from other installers. I have been debating whether to remove some trees for solar. I think we are going to remove them. We have been considering doing some of them even if we don't install PV panels. And I have a tree guy coming to do some other work in a few weeks. Once the trees are down, I can confirm that we qualify for the rebates. And if we do, I can pursue getting more quotes.

[inetdog]

Just to clear things up.
In one of my posts I said this.
"He also mentioned that there is a Sunny Boy inverter coming out which will provide power during outages, but only when the sun is out. It is a Sunny Boy 4000tl-us inverter"

I inquired about the upcoming inverter running the well pump, and the installer replied with
"Depending on the needed inputs of the pump, the solar array in theory could power it. It sounds like it will be a dedicated outlet that will be powered when the grid is down."

I had also asked if the pump needed a small buffer of batteries but he didn't address that issue. I don't think the installer wants to think much about any usage while the grid is down. Other than using the new inverter. So, I am on my own, or I may get a few more quotes from other installers. I have been debating whether to remove some trees for solar. I think we are going to remove them. We have been considering doing some of them even if we don't install PV panels. And I have a tree guy coming to do some other work in a few weeks. Once the trees are down, I can confirm that we qualify for the rebates. And if we do, I can pursue getting more quotes.

So far, I don't think there is enough information available from SMA to answer your questions. Another forum post, from someone who had seen the prototype at a show, indicated that the power from the backup outlet was "limited". How that compares as an absolute number or a percentage of the rated grid tie output is unclear.
My biggest concern for your case, other than the continuous power output would be the surge capacity of the backup mode. Can it handle the high starting current surge for your pump motor. No idea yet what the answer to that will be.

I think that your installer is, like the rest of us, working from incomplete information and is unwilling to go out on a limb about what might work.

[Mike90250]

I think you will need batteries to supply the pump starting surge, or a huge PV array that will not "collapse" when the inverter needs to start the pump.

[inetdog]

So far, I don't think there is enough information available from SMA to answer your questions. Another forum post, from someone who had seen the prototype at a show, indicated that the power from the backup outlet was "limited". How that compares as an absolute number or a percentage of the rated grid tie output is unclear.

A post from an SMA employee indicates that it is a separate 12Amp 120 volt output, same on all three of the inverters rather than proportional to the size of the basic inverter.
No word on surge capability yet.