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Sol-Ark 15K All in One Inverter Released.

niktak11 said:
I have a question about sol-ark grid sell for people who have used it. In the next couple years I'll build a larger array and get a net metering agreement. The behavior I'd want would be as follows: no pulling power from grid between 6am and 10pm (ToU) unless the battery is dead and solar is not sufficient, ONLY sell back to grid once the batteries are fully charged. Is this possible?
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I have not used it yet, although I believe it is possible... but I'd ask SA to confirm the "ONLY" part.

I find the main "grid param" setup menu page on the SA inverter(s) that controls grid setup protocols to initially be a little confusing. Maybe it becomes more intuitive after some use and familiarity with their terminologies and menu, but I don't find it to be super intuitive upon first review. To complicate things, I had watched a couple of (older) videos on the grid setup (from both Deye, SA, and SS) in the past, and it appears they've changed it a little over time, so even historic YT videos on this topic can possibly be inaccurate or misleading due to updates. With that said, I was only viewing at the time out of curiosity to see how flexible the system was, not knowing I'd be using these settings and features in the future.
 
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12kw_2021 said:
Hello
I know , I know, I know.. everything on you tube is true. :)
And I know I know.. this is slightly off topic for this thread.

But I fretted and fretted about exactly this issue, burning my house down, Tesla fires the fire department cannot put out.
However.. if you stick to Lifep04 cells they are quite safe if installed correctly, and the founder of this www site has stated that they are no more dangerous then a pile of wood in you basement.
I found that statement from Will encouraging.
But these two video's pushed me over the edge to go the DIY route and install 32 of the EVE 280Ah cells in my cement basement, on a metal rack , with smoke detector overhead, and wifi cam monitoring.
$1000/Kwh for Tesla/Enphase Battery walls
$300/Kwh for Rack Batteries (and price is climbing)
<$200/Kwh for DIY with Grade A Eve cells.

This link does a nice comparison to the different battery chemistries available. Makes it pretty clear what chemistry to avoid.


As you can see.. you can torture a Lifep04 cell and it doesn't burst into flames.
With that said here is a second example where one of the Lifep04 cells DOES burst into flames.
Am I scared that this happens, Nope... see video. And see what he does to the battery.
Then ask yourself, is this going to happen to a cell on a metal rack in my basement controlled temp, and BMS control with Class T fuses on each 48V Bank?


So.. after thinking about it, seeing those two videos, hearing feedback from Will P.
I am proceeding with 32 280ah Eve Cells on a simple metal rack, below my main panel with the 15kw Sol-ark above them , and I won't be losing any sleep about them.

And yes you can get really really cheap cells at locations like this, but be very careful with the Lithium EV batteries they sell. Those WILL burst into flames if mistreated.

batteryhookup.com

LG 28.8v 8.5kWh 8s Lithium Ion EV Module - $100/kWh

This is one of the best values you will find. Comes out to just $100/kWh. These modules are made with LG LGX cells and are just absolutely perfect for powerwall, forklifts, golfcarts, EV, and many other projects. The modules came out of VERY LOW mileage electric vehicles and are testing amazing...
batteryhookup.com batteryhookup.com

Hope this helps someone else
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Please keep the thread on Topic. There are lots of threads on battery explosions that you can post to.
Thanks
 
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niktak11 said:
I have a question about sol-ark grid sell for people who have used it. In the next couple years I'll build a larger array and get a net metering agreement. The behavior I'd want would be as follows: no pulling power from grid between 6am and 10pm (ToU) unless the battery is dead and solar is not sufficient, ONLY sell back to grid once the batteries are fully charged. Is this possible?
Click to expand...
Hello Niktak11, using TOU you can discharge the battery to help cover loads on the AC side down to a % or voltage parameter of your choosing. When using this setting the Sol-Ark will automatically attempt to cover your loads using solar and battery. It will only call upon the grid if the loads exceed the currently available output from the inverter. Unfortunately, there is not a setting to restrict your grid selling to when the battery is fully charged, but the inverter will automatically prioritize your battery and only sell back if the battery is already getting as much power as it can and there is excess power to sell.
 
Carlos_Sol-Ark said:
Hello Niktak11, using TOU you can discharge the battery to help cover loads on the AC side down to a % or voltage parameter of your choosing. When using this setting the Sol-Ark will automatically attempt to cover your loads using solar and battery. It will only call upon the grid if the loads exceed the currently available output from the inverter. Unfortunately, there is not a setting to restrict your grid selling to when the battery is fully charged, but the inverter will automatically prioritize your battery and only sell back if the battery is already getting as much power as it can and there is excess power to sell.
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Scenario
Time: 4pm
ToU slot: 3-5pm battery 30%, grid sell enabled up to 10kW
Current battery SoC: 50%
incoming solar: 8kW
House load: 1kW
Max battery charge current set to 285A

In this instance would the solar power be used to power the loads and charge the battery or would it sell back to the grid after covering the 1kW loads (because the SoC is above the minimum set for the ToU slot)?
 
Would an AC coupled battery inverter system that could ONLY offset grid power for TOU, but couldn't run as an off-grid backup, be worth it I wonder?
 
ncsolarelectric said:
Would an AC coupled battery inverter system that could ONLY offset grid power for TOU, but couldn't run as an off-grid backup, be worth it I wonder?
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Not unless it was almost free. Or unless TOU differentials become so crazy that it will pay for itself within its lifetime (8-15 years with current technology). In the latter case, though, you'll have bigger problems to worry about. Like civil insurrection.
 
Balthazar-B said:
Not unless it was almost free. Or unless TOU differentials become so crazy that it will pay for itself within its lifetime (8-15 years with current technology). In the latter case, though, you'll have bigger problems to worry about. Like civil insurrection.
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I'm sure there are already places with a $0.20+/kWh differential between off-peak ToU and flat rate prices where it would be worth it. The difference where I live is only 9 cents though so not worth it to buy a system just for that.
 
niktak11 said:
I'm sure there are already places with a $0.20+/kWh differential between off-peak ToU and flat rate prices where it would be worth it. The difference where I live is only 9 cents though so not worth it to buy a system just for that.
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I never understood this too. Doing batteries and inverters to charge during off peak, just to use it during peak time. The efficiencies of the battery charger, batteries (especially with lead acid), and inverter must ruin all the possible savings you would have had. I never understood not doing solar, especially when solar panels is most of the time the cheapest part.
 
Lt.Dan said:
I never understood this too. Doing batteries and inverters to charge during off peak, just to use it during peak time. The efficiencies of the battery charger, batteries (especially with lead acid), and inverter must ruin all the possible savings you would have had. I never understood not doing solar, especially when solar panels is most of the time the cheapest part.
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I started doing this. Off peak is around 3.8c/kWh and peak is around 23c/kWh. The round trip efficiency of my system is around 90% so I still come out way ahead. I wouldn't build a system solely to do this but it makes sense to utilize my existing system to do it.
 
niktak11 said:
I started doing this. Off peak is around 3.8c/kWh and peak is around 23c/kWh. The round trip efficiency of my system is around 90% so I still come out way ahead. I wouldn't build a system solely to do this but it makes sense to utilize my existing system to do it.
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I cycle my batteries everyday so when the power company proposed higher rates for peak usage it will not effect me. A watt is a watt so using the batteries earlier in the evening just means they won’t last until morning, so grid power will be used until the Sun comes up. I am waiting to see if they go through with the plans, lots of kick back already.
 
Lt.Dan said:
I never understood this too. Doing batteries and inverters to charge during off peak, just to use it during peak time. The efficiencies of the battery charger, batteries (especially with lead acid), and inverter must ruin all the possible savings you would have had. I never understood not doing solar, especially when solar panels is most of the time the cheapest part.
Click to expand...
SDG&E 2 years ago, I was paying $0.50/kWh from 6pm to 9pm, and then $0.09/kWh from midnight to 6am. It would pay for itself in no time but I don't live there anymore.
Currently, I have a small IQ Battery 3T, 3.3kWh, 1.28kW AC and I cycle it daily just to offset the extra 2.8 kWh per day, even though there is no TOU rate here. It's just maximizing the value of my system under current conditions. I fully expect rates to go up, core inflation is about energy, so it's coming. Every kWh I produce from the sun is a hedge against inflation!
 
robby said:
New Sol-Ark 15K build Part1
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I do not completely understand the AC side of his install. I understand that there will NOT be a grid connection, but he only mentioned a 50 Amp receptacle but I will have to see what other house loads he is planning.
 
Ampster said:
I do not completely understand the AC side of his install. I understand that there will NOT be a grid connection, but he only mentioned a 50 Amp receptacle but I will have to see what other house loads he is planning.
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From the manual:




Terminal Blocks (GEN/ Load/ Grid)


• OFF-Grid = 12kW = 50A Continuous (62.5A w/ solar) | 24kW = 100A Peak (10s) | 30kW = 125A Peak (100ms)

Deciding Backup Circuits

B. Ensure you keep the inverter within its amperage limits
• ON-Grid = 200A Continuous (pass-through)
 
Ampster said:
I do not completely understand the AC side of his install. I understand that there will NOT be a grid connection, but he only mentioned a 50 Amp receptacle but I will have to see what other house loads he is planning.
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I got the opinion that he is using it for on site power during the construction of his house.
 
Glucola said:
Hello @Carlos_Sol-Ark , Do you know what time to expect 15K In Ca market or on CEC
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For what it's worth, an installer told me it should be late August or in September. The California Energy Commission does things at its own pace, and it doesn't sound like they've committed to a specific date for a decision.

You can acquire and install a 15K in California -- I think there are at least one or two people here who have done that -- but you won't be able to connect it to your utility's grid before it gets CEC certification.
 
I know that CEC is a huge deal for Sol-Ark. I talked to them this week and they said that they are working full time at trying to get this completed. They are aware that a lot of sales will open up once they have it on the list.
 
Balthazar-B said:
t should be late August or in September. The California Energy Commission does things at its own pace, and it doesn't sound like they've committed to a specific date for a decision.

You can acquire and install a 15K in California --
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This would be a good time to see if the local building department would approve a permit. That way you could get your permit completed by then. You might be able to open a NEM application with your power company so once the install is finalled and CEC has approved it you can submit final request for PTO. Last year at this time I felt under the gun to get mine finaled before NEM 3.0 but today we are still waiting on that but you do not want to miss getting in under 2.0
 
I asked about the max L-N power since they don't list that in the specs for the 15k. Here's the answer for anyone curious:

"The L-N for each leg of the 15K will be ~7.8kW from inverting. If the grid is passing through power to loads, the limitation will be ~24kW for each leg."
 
Ampster said:
This would be a good time to see if the local building department would approve a permit. That way you could get your permit completed by then. You might be able to open a NEM application with your power company so once the install is finalled and CEC has approved it you can submit final request for PTO. Last year at this time I felt under the gun to get mine finaled before NEM 3.0 but today we are still waiting on that but you do not want to miss getting in under 2.0
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I tried to do that in my county, and they denied the permits because its missing the necessary certs. Even after trying to explain that it will be approved soon, they won't allow it. Can't start the NEM process until the permit is approved either ? i just went with a 12k.
 
Lt.Dan said:
I tried to do that in my county, and they denied the permits because its missing the necessary certs. Even after trying to explain that it will be approved soon, they won't allow it. Can't start the NEM process until the permit is approved either ? i just went with a 12k.
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Similar boat ,but holding on the 12K for now, will give it a couple of weeks
 
Excellent general setup overview, Dylan does a fantastic job of clearly explaining things!
 
I see that the manual says it needs 2 inches of space between items mounted nearby. I have a tight area and am trying to install a transfer switch next to the 15K solark. Is the 2 inches from the edge of the main box, or do I need to add the dimension of the wifi dongle that sticks out of the box 45mm or nearly 1.8 inches. My current assumption is the 2 inches is to the main body/metal box and that 2 inches clears the 1.8 inches the dongle sticks out, but.. the manual is not clear on this. Don't want to violate code.

Anyone?
 
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