Does the growatt (5k-us) reduce the PV input wattage to what it needs once the batteries are charged? Sunny day and it started out in the 2kwh+ range, once the battery got charged, the PV input went down to like 1200-1400w. The total system is 4100w. So I know it should be producing more. My assumption is that the controller is limiting the input to only what is required
Growatt Inverter reducing PV input
- Thread starter afmiller
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Darren67-72
Off grid
You are correct. As a batteries become full charged it will reduce the input, trickling it down.
efficientPV
Solar Addict
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- Sep 24, 2019
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It's good that you notice that. Solar systems spend a lot of time not using all the energy available. That is why I designed electronics to send any excess to heating water. We all use hot water and it can be free without buying any extra panels. My laundry even has its own water heater and my washer does all cycles in hot water. Clothes come out steaming. It isn't true what they say on TV, cold doesn't do as good.
My Growatt MIN 5000 TL-XH is doing same . It send as much PV wattage to the batteries as it can when batteries are below 50% charged and then limits charge to approx 1.09Kw. and exports the rest. I wish I could make it charge batteries rather than export.
Do you have a link to a forum thread or blog post on how to divert this excess to water heating? thanks
No I dont
RonP
New Member
Yes. It's kind of a bummer to realize that you have all those photons hitting the panels and nowhere for them to go! I have 10kWh of batteries in my little test system. I have the garage freezer running off of this system but that's not much load. I've been running a space heater to generate load and to discharge the batteries in order to test my setup. I'm looking forward to connecting this to the house to run real loads.
wattmatters
Solar Wizard
Being over capacity with solar PV is a feature, not a bug. There will be days which are overcast or rainy or shorter (Winter) when that extra capacity becomes most useful and you'll often wish you had more PV.
Sure if you can be opportunistic and use capacity when it's available, and that's great but I wouldn't sweat it. Loads are being powered and the battery is full. Life is good.
People find all sorts of ways to use such capacity, particular the use of heat transfer such as pre-cooling or warming a living space (IOW using a dwelling as a thermal battery), or heating water, or doing projects like drying/preserving foods. It's a good time to recharge power tool batteries, or an EV if you have one (provided you have a controllable charger).
Sure if you can be opportunistic and use capacity when it's available, and that's great but I wouldn't sweat it. Loads are being powered and the battery is full. Life is good.
People find all sorts of ways to use such capacity, particular the use of heat transfer such as pre-cooling or warming a living space (IOW using a dwelling as a thermal battery), or heating water, or doing projects like drying/preserving foods. It's a good time to recharge power tool batteries, or an EV if you have one (provided you have a controllable charger).
MichaelK
Solar Wizard
This is the number one mistake that new solar enthusiasts make. You plan your system capabilies around what you need on your worst day, not your best. In the middle of winter with grey, cloudy sky, you will be grateful for every single watt your panels can make. My arrays are so big that I can keep my batteries fully charged in a storm in December.
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