I'm looking to put together a solar system with a hybrid inverter and doing my research. a friend of mine that is a solar installer said that since my home has a whole home 20kw generator it would not be compatible with the eg4 18kpv hybrid inverter. i've been looking at both the sol-ark 15k and the eg4 18k, could anyone give me any advice on if it is possible to have this setup with my whole home generator already installed. my meter feeds to an ATS switch that the generator feeds into, and this ATS feeds into my main panel. Just trying get some ideas so any help and wisdom is greatly appreciated!
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Hybrid inverter configuration with whole home generator
- Thread starter mike11d11
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timselectric
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Yes, it will work fine.
Place the hybrid AIO in between the transfer switch and panel.
You will need an agreement with the utility company.
And you will have to tweak the settings, so that it never exports power to the generator. Or put it in place of the transfer switch.
The easier solution would be to use off grid AIO's instead of hybrids.
no need to get involved with the power company for permission.
Place the hybrid AIO in between the transfer switch and panel.
You will need an agreement with the utility company.
And you will have to tweak the settings, so that it never exports power to the generator. Or put it in place of the transfer switch.
The easier solution would be to use off grid AIO's instead of hybrids.
no need to get involved with the power company for permission.
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
With the 18kpv, wire the generator to the gen port.
With the 15k, you can keep the generator into the grid port.
With the 15k, you can keep the generator into the grid port.
timselectric
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What's wrong with the generator port of the Sol-Ark?With the 18kpv, wire the generator to the gen port.
With the 15k, you can keep the generator into the grid port.
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
Generator port is fine on the 15k, but then he would have to rewire the generator. He asked for "have this setup" - generator on ats.What's wrong with the generator port of the Sol-Ark?
Also, 20kw exceeds the 19.2 kW limit of the gen port. Not a big difference, especially since the generator shouldn't be run at 100%
timselectric
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But you recommended two different things.Generator port is fine on the 15k, but then he would have to rewire the generator. He asked for "have this setup" - generator on ats.
I was just trying to figure out why they were different.
RightAlso, 20kw exceeds the 19.2 kW limit of the gen port. Not a big difference, especially since the generator shouldn't be run at 100%
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
18kpv manual did not talk about putting generator on grid input, so might have backfeed issues. 15k allows generator on either connection.But you recommended two different things.
I was just trying to figure out why they were different.
timselectric
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Both can utilize it better on the correct port.18kpv manual did not talk about putting generator on grid input, so might have backfeed issues. 15k allows generator on either connection.
And simplify the installation.
timselectric
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Of course, I wouldn't use either one.
I would select an off grid AIO.
I would select an off grid AIO.
What off grid AIO would you guys recommend to use instead? My main panel is 200A and the generator is 20kw. I eventually want to hook enough solar and batteries to offset my electric bill during the day, I have feee evenings. I’m not to concerned about feeding back to the grid at all.
timselectric
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Probably 2 x EG4 6kxp's would cover your needs.
Since you are already looking at units with 12k output.
If not, just add a 3rd, later.
Since you are already looking at units with 12k output.
If not, just add a 3rd, later.
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
Note: If you ever need more than 20kw the 6000xp cannot supplement the power from the generator. I believe the 15k can with the generator on the grid port (your proposed setup).
Blunden1
New Member
Rookie here, what is the difference in "off grid AIO" and Hybrid I'm guessing inverters? Also I'm pretty sure the tech. I was speaking to said I would be limited to 16 batteries, is this true and if so why
timselectric
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Grid-tied = dependent on the grid and sends all production to the grid connection.Rookie here, what is the difference in "off grid AIO" and Hybrid I'm guessing inverters? Also I'm pretty sure the tech. I was speaking to said I would be limited to 16 batteries, is this true and if so why
Off grid = doesn't require the grid. Can stand on its own. And sends all production to the batteries, or directly to the loads.
Hybrid = a combination of both above.
AIO = All In One (inverter, chargers, and transfer switch in a single enclosure)
Offered in both Off grid and Hybrid versions.
Blunden1
New Member
I am looking to install 80-90kw battery bank and will need at least a 15kw inverter, want to incorporate my existing 10kw back-up generator. It is not uncommon for the utility to be off for7 days and during wildfire season I need to stay inside with A/C on (summertime temps in 100-105 are fairly common) I have a soft start on my A/C which allows it to start against my generator. The rest of the house (big users) are propane. Looking the do rate shaving with utility present and minimize generator usage with utility gone. Seems to be a lot of products available. TIA for any input. I feel you get what you pay for- at this time I am leaning towards the SolArk 15kw hybrid and am very lost on batteries. The space I have dictates that I use a sever rack style battery, I would like to stay in the 100lb range
going_commando
New Member
Generac has a 2-wire start kit. I have not messed with one to speak to how well it works or not. Have you Tim?
timselectric
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will need at least a 15kw inverter
This is a 12kw inverter.I am leaning towards the SolArk 15kw hybrid
But if you have the grid, it can cover the rest.
Server rack batteries are around 50lbs.The space I have dictates that I use a sever rack style battery, I would like to stay in the 100lb range
timselectric
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Yes, they work fine, and reliably.Generac has a 2-wire start kit. I have not messed with one to speak to how well it works or not. Have you Tim?
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