Growatt 12kW remote shutdown

Good evening,

Quick background on the system I am designing with a Growatt 12kW low freq inverter, 15kWh batter storage, and 5kW of solar (I get free electricity to recharge my batteries 8pm-6am). I plan on running a 60A line into the inverter incase my batteries die and the sun isn't shining to keep my critical load circuits energized, as well as charge my batteries at night. I do have a concern about rapid shutoff with this setup however. If my inverter is pulling energy from the batteries and a fire fighter tries to deenergize my house to include the critical load panel, and my solar setup, how can I communicate to the inverter and solar panels to shut down as well??

My inverter and batteries are on the other side of the house in the shed. From a strangers perspective (or fire fighter) , it's just a main panel and a sub panel (both located on the outside of my house for some damn reason). So again, hour can I communicate to the inverter and solar panels to shut down from a remote location??

You're talking about NEC code required rapid shutdown? I don't know if you can do it with a Growatt but others might have an better answer.

Typically that require module level devices that are compatible with the inverter.

OzSolar said:

You're talking about NEC code required rapid shutdown? I don't know if you can do it with a Growatt but others might have an better answer.

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Yes, this is what I am talking about. My concern is having two separate power sources to my home in two different locations for emergency personnel. I am assuming that first responders will cut power to the house when something like a fire occurs. But how are they to know that there is a 2nd power supply which is still live and could be dangerous?



My panels will be mounted on top of my pergola next to, but not touching, my house. I will have to utilize power optomizers because of the location of my chimney which should afford me rapid shutdown capability (was looking at SolarEdge p400 because of how abundant they are but am very open to suggestions if you guys know of a more suitable option).

I may just be over thinking this. Is there anything wrong with having a solar disconnect at multiple locations around you'd house? Are there any special requirements for labeling to alert first responders of a 2nd source of power?

Cduck28z said:

My concern is having two separate power sources to my home in two different locations for emergency personnel. I am assuming that first responders will cut power to the house when something like a fire occurs. But how are they to know that there is a 2nd power supply which is still live and could be dangerous?

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That's a great point! And honestly from what I've seen it's completely ignored by most people.

In a perfect world there is some method to shut the system hybrid down. If your hybrid inverter was so equipped with a set of shut down contacts, you easily run a wire to an e stop button to a sensible location that the firefighters would be looking for.

Without that you use a contactor on the AC output of your hybrid inverter and control it with that same remote e stop button.

I actually have given the firefighters a tour of my place. They put notes in their computer system so anyone who might show up has a rough idea of what they are getting into.

This is a great topic and one that I want to spend some more time on, but I've got some new bifacial solar panels to install on my patio before it gets too hot!

Are you able to setup your Growatt's remote port switch?

alvirtuoso said:

Are you able to setup your Growatt's remote port switch?

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Without a clear answer I have stepped back from this setup. I am now researching the EG4-8KEXP-240. Bonus that it can be installed outside directly next to my main panel. Just saved $1000+ in cabling.