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Export Limit Lock is now available on EG4 18kpv

E

EG4_Jarrett

Solar Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 23, 2022
Messages
190
Location
Sulphur Springs, TX
EG4 is pleased to announce the introduction of the Export Limit Lock feature for our 18kPV Hybrid Inverter. This feature ensures compliance with utility company regulations.

Who needs this? In compliance with certain utility company regulations, our Export Limit Lock feature enables us to set export limits that align with specific guidelines. This ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, preventing potential penalties or service disconnection.

To make use of this feature, please fill out this form and send it to forms@eg4electronics.com. We can set up the feature and lock the Export Limit to help you get your system permit.
If you have any questions about the Export Limit Lock, please feel free to comment down below, as this will create a helpful post for anyone else who may have similar questions about the Export Limit Lock.

@EG4_Jared
 
Why do we have to fill out a form to get it changed. What are the settings that are getting changed and can we do them ourselves with a little education?
 
Quattrohead said:
Why do we have to fill out a form to get it changed.
Click to expand...
I'm going to postulate that there are cases where the potential output of the 18KPV exceeds what the utility agreement is and the utility wants a hard, non user settable limit that they can positively assure won't be exceeded.

For example, Florida Tier 1 agreements limit output to 10 KW AC and the 18KPV is rated for 12 KW output. So if EG4 hard codes the export limit to10 KW, perhaps that satisfies the utility. What that means is you still can make 12 KW, but only 10 KW can be exported to the grid, the other 2 KW can be used locally.

Doesn't the 18KPV already have a user setting for max export? I suspect that would remain and the new setting just hard caps that value and EG4 can attest to the limit for the utility.

Mike C.
 
mciholas said:
I'm going to postulate that there are cases where the potential output of the 18KPV exceeds what the utility agreement is and the utility wants a hard, non user settable limit that they can positively assure won't be exceeded.
Click to expand...
The Installer sets the limit, the Inspector signs off on it. Typically no more than 5Kw.
I have never heard of a Locking requirement done by the manufacturer or distributor.
mciholas said:
Doesn't the 18KPV already have a user setting for max export? I suspect that would remain and the new setting just hard caps that value and EG4 can attest to the limit for the utility.

Mike C.
Click to expand...
It shows the settings in the 18kPV Manual, do these settings actually work? If so why fill out a form?
If they don't work then WTF happens if EG4 goes belly up and you need some of these settings changed?
 
Quattrohead said:
Why do we have to fill out a form to get it changed. What are the settings that are getting changed and can we do them ourselves with a little education?
Click to expand...
This feature is already available to the end user by default. This is specifically for people whose Utility provider requires it for their metering agreement.
 
robby said:
If so why fill out a form?
Click to expand...
If I'm not mistaken, this would be a secondary limit in addition to the one in the UI. The lower limit wins.

This is a great feature because the utility requires the limit to be locked from changes by the end user. If the end user could increase the value, it would violate the metering agreement. The utility does not want the end user to have access to such illegal features.

By EG4 being the one that holds the key with proper processes in place, this is a pathway to get the 18k-PV approved where it otherwise would not be allowed.
 
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EG4_Jarrett said:
This feature is already available to the end user by default. This is specifically for people whose Utility provider requires it for their metering agreement.
Click to expand...
I Never heard of that requirement in the USA, maybe their is some power company somewhere that is requiring it.
I think in the UK they require some sort of lock.
 
HighTechLab said:
If I'm not mistaken, this would be a secondary limit in addition to the one in the UI. The lower limit wins.

This is a great feature because the utility requires the limit to be locked from changes by the end user. If the end user could increase the value, it would violate the metering agreement. The utility does not want the end user to have access to such illegal features.

By EG4 being the one that holds the key with proper processes in place, this is a pathway to get the 18k-PV approved where it otherwise would not be allowed.
Click to expand...
Sol-Ark has this feature from the get go but I have never heard of anybody using it.
 
HighTechLab said:
Sol-Ark is user adjustable and does not meet the utility requirements. That's the difference here.
Click to expand...
I am actually surprised you don't know this Dexter.
For some Utilities a Grid Profile is needed and the Installer must lock the system after the setting are in place.
The Import Limiter and Export Limiter Master control is on the "Grid Settings Tab" and that overrides all other settings.
Once that Tab is locked only an Admin account on Powerview or a Sol-Ark Technician can change the setting on the "Grid Settings Tab"
The end user is given a regular account that cannot make changes to those settinge.
Sol-Ark is the only one with that Password and they can and do write letters to Utilities Guaranteeing that the Settings they require are in place.
I suggest you call Sol-Ark and learn more about this.
 
Last edited:
robby said:
I am actually surprised you don't know this Dexter.
For some Utilities a Grid Profile is needed and the Installer must lock the system after the setting are in place.
The Import Limiter and Export Limiter Master control is on the "Grid Settings Tab" and that overrides all other settings.
Once that Tab is locked only an Admin account on Powerview or a Sol-Ark Technician can change the setting on the "Grid Settings Tab"
The end user is given a regular account that cannot make changes to those settinge.
Sol-Ark is the only one with that Password and they can and do write letters to Utilities Guaranteeing that the Settings they require are in place.
I suggest you call Sol-Ark and learn more about this.
Click to expand...
Learn something new every day! On the Sol-Ark, does this lock just the grid-export limit setting or all settings?
 
HighTechLab said:
Learn something new every day! On the Sol-Ark, does this lock just the grid-export limit setting or all settings?
Click to expand...
As far as I know yes, just the Grid Settings. I suggest you confirm with them as I was of course not interested in actually using it for my system and did not go into all of the details.
 
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HighTechLab said:
This is a great feature because the utility requires the limit to be locked from changes by the end user. If the end user could increase the value, it would violate the metering agreement. The utility does not want the end user to have access to such illegal features.
Click to expand...

So I wouldn't be able to change settings in firmware, which would ensure export didn't result in CT giving measurement of ampere-turns in excess of what is allowed.

1709857364224.png :devilish:
 
Hedges said:
So I wouldn't be able to change settings in firmware, which would ensure export didn't result in CT giving measurement of ampere-turns in excess of what is allowed.

View attachment 200716 :devilish:
Click to expand...
I tend not to look into the underlying code that makes these features, but I'd be willing to bet there are sanity checks in the software - for example if PV in + battery current + AC load-out + AC grid-in = 0, throw a red flag.
 
Oh, I'm pretty sure I could change the perceived current +10% or -10% if I wanted, with passive components. One approach would be another current transformer or split core, turns ratio between it and some loops of wire through the CT being read.

Another, for CT with burden resistor, would be to just parallel another resistor (reduce perceived current.)

Not that I would, for reasons including smart meter could snitch on me.
 
Hedges said:
Oh, I'm pretty sure I could change the perceived current +10% or -10% if I wanted, with passive components. One approach would be another current transformer or split core, turns ratio between it and some loops of wire through the CT being read.

Another, for CT with burden resistor, would be to just parallel another resistor (reduce perceived current.)

Not that I would, for reasons including smart meter could snitch on me.
Click to expand...
These systems are not designed to beat people like you Hedges :LOL:
You bring up a valid point about the Smart Meter being able to tell what is going on. It may not provide them with instant Data but they know what your selling back on a daily basis and they can see if your going past a certain upper limit based on the weather.
I just see this as another road block in the endless road blocks put up by utility companies to make Solar unattractive to potential buyers.
 
Kind of like the old days of satellite TV. An ad offered a kit for a satellite dish made from a coffee can, and instructions on how to cut a PCB trace to tune it for one of two different frequencies. The juicy channel people would want was exactly half way between the two.

Later of course satellite went to digital encryption.

My coworker (an expert in FIB) knew a guy who had equipment in his garage to de-fab ICs. Had a good business, buy one satellite TV box, tear it apart, clone the decryption and sell boxes or something like that.

Maybe it was these guys:

www.nbcnews.com

Satellite TV hackers nabbed by FBI

Federal authorities announced Tuesday they had made sweeping arrests in a year-long undercover investigation of the satellite-TV piracy underground.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
 
What is the underlying reason why a power company like Duke Energy wants this when very few if any others do?
 
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