can you please recommend an inverter for (2) FranklinWH Batteries and 30 500w panels? i'm lost

[ahreno]

I am getting two franklin batteries installed for free from PGE (sgip program) and I have 30 Hi-MO5 LR5-72HBD panels (~500w in perfect bifacial conditions)

I'm running them in 3 strings of 10. Can someone please recommend a decent quality inverter i can tie this all together with? I keep running in circles trying to figure out what to get.

 

[45North]

Depends:
What voltage do you have?
How are the panels wired? Series? Parallel?
Edit: oops! Ok. 10S3P.

 

[BentleyJ]

What are you trying to do? Simply store power in a battery for self-consumption to lower utility bills or reduce usage during TOU periods. Do you have an interconnect agreement for selling back. We need more info here.

The Franklin aPower 2 is an integrated battery/inverter system. They also make an aPBox and aGate for managing solar panel arrays and controlling the system power flow. Why not stick with one brand.

 

[ahreno]

Depends:
What voltage do you have?
How are the panels wired? Series? Parallel?
Edit: oops! Ok. 10S3P.

they aren't wired yet. the original plan was to do 3 strings of 10.

 

[ahreno]

What are you trying to do? Simply store power in a battery for self-consumption to lower utility bills or reduce usage during TOU periods. Do you have an interconnect agreement for selling back. We need more info here.

The Franklin aPower 2 is an integrated battery/inverter system. They also make an aPBox and aGate for managing solar panel arrays and controlling the system power flow. Why not stick with one brand.

I will also have the agate. i can't really tell what the apbox is for but i dont think it will help me. I believe i either need some enphase 7+ or a string inverter.

I'm trying to have solar to fill my batteries which will then discharge back to the grid. I would like to be able to have the house run off whatever solar power is available on top of the battery being topped off.

 

[Quattrohead]

Those "batteries" include the inverter.
They do a terrible job of explaining this.

 

[ahreno]

Those "batteries" include the inverter.
They do a terrible job of explaining this.

what do you mean? and why do you have batteries in quotation marks?

 

[watchdoc]

I thought Franklin A2's were AC coupled and thus required another inverter system (typically Enphase)?

 

[ahreno]

I thought Franklin A2's were AC coupled and thus required another inverter system (typically Enphase)?

yeah, thats what my installer said too. i just called enphase and they said they dont typically need an inverter unless its an unusual solar setup like strings. which i wouldn't think is that unusual.

but yeah, thats why i'm looking for recommendations on an decent quality, affordable inverter. The enphase 7+ is an option but they get expensive quick and i'm not sure if they can handle the 550w (albeit thats absolulte max in perfect conditions) from the panels.

 

[BentleyJ]

I will also have the agate. i can't really tell what the apbox is for but i dont think it will help me. I believe i either need some enphase 7+ or a string inverter.

I haven't taken the time to investigate the Franklin system completely. I'm curious about the aPbox myself now.

I'm trying to have solar to fill my batteries which will then discharge back to the grid.

Money and efficiency wise that makes no sense to store electricity in expensive batteries then sell to the utility. When the PV array is producing, you want to charge batteries, supply your house loads and only sell back excess electricity as it is immediately available under the agreement with the utility. That way the battery is only as large as needed to supply the house in the evening or overnight or in an outage depending on how much of your power bill you wish to offset and if the solar array is large enough to do so.

 

[ahreno]

I haven't taken the time to investigate the Franklin system completely. I'm curious about the aPbox myself now.

Money and efficiency wise that makes no sense to store electricity in expensive batteries then sell to the utility. When the PV array is producing, you want to charge batteries, supply your house loads and only sell back excess electricity as it is immediately available under the agreement with the utility. That way the battery is only as large as needed to supply the house in the evening or overnight or in an outage depending on how much of your power bill you wish to offset and if the solar array is large enough to do so.

I am getting the batteries for free in the SGIP program. part of that program is selling back to the grid i believe. in any case, i'm just trying to find an inverter to go between my panels and my batteries

 

[BentleyJ]

I am getting the batteries for free in the SGIP program. part of that program is selling back to the grid i believe. in any case, i'm just trying to find an inverter to go between my panels and my batteries

Yes, makes sense since the Franklin aPower 2 is an AC coupled device. Enphase would be a good choice since the microinverters would be under the panels rather a string inverter being another device hanging on the wall.

 

[ahreno]

Yes, makes sense since the Franklin aPower 2 is an AC coupled device. Enphase would be a good choice since the microinverters would be under the panels rather a string inverter being another device hanging on the wall.

i dont mind the hanging on the wall part as its all outside anyway. my panels are STC: 550w, NOCT 405w. not sure which to use to size enphase. using the top end i'd need IQ8H which are like $250 and for 30 of them, are too expensive. I asked enphase chat support on their site and they said 7+ but they seem to top out at 440w+. not sure how much weight the "+" carries in that rating.

 

[watchdoc]

I'm not a big fan of microinverters or AC coupled systems. IMO the Pointguard system or Powerwall 3 are the best for these VPP "utility sponsored" systems.

 

[watchdoc]

ok, i had an option of basically tesla or franklin and i chose the non nazi owned company. so i'm just trying to find an inverter recommendation for my panels. Do you have any you'd recommend?

politics aside, a Powerwall 3 would be a better choice and would be MUCH easier install. It has 6 MPPT's and will accept up to 550v from a single string. It would also likely add more value to your home since Tesla energy is more likely to be in business compared to any of these smaller companies. If your utility allows the backup swich, it's even easier and cheaper. Tesla also has an unlimited charge/discharge warranty for 10 years. Most of the other companies have a limit. Remember, the utility company will be in charge of your battery, not you.

 

[Quattrohead]

I am absolutely confident your electric company will be giving you everything you need to run a PV system, not just batteries. Those units are not just batteries, they are everything you need I think.
If they are making you buy other stuff to complete the install, tell them....yeah something I shouldn't say

 

[Quattrohead]

Okay that Franklin battery has AC rated output but doesn't say anything about mppts, so yes it appears to be very little more than a fancy UPS.
Edit to add okay, they're trying to do some load balancing with TOU or VPP I guess.
Secondly if you already have panels in a 3x10 string then you must have something connected to them already, either a different inverter or micro inverters.
Would you care to elaborate on exactly what you already have and exactly what they're offering you.

 

[ahreno]

I am absolutely confident your electric company will be giving you everything you need to run a PV system, not just batteries. Those units are not just batteries, they are everything you need I think.
If they are making you buy other stuff to complete the install, tell them....yeah something I shouldn't say

well, i'm sorry but you're not correct. They aren't giving me anything to run a PV system. They are giving me an energy storage system that i am adding PV on to. its interesting how off topic everything always goes. i'm just trying to get some suggestions for affordable quality inverters but instead end up having to explain everything else.

Participating in Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)

www.cpuc.ca.gov

 

[ahreno]

Okay that Franklin battery has AC rated output but doesn't say anything about mppts, so yes it appears to be very little more than a fancy UPS.
Edit to add okay, they're trying to do some load balancing with TOU or VPP I guess.
Secondly if you already have panels in a 3x10 string then you must have something connected to them already, either a different inverter or micro inverters.
Would you care to elaborate on exactly what you already have and exactly what they're offering you.

i have the panels in a stack leaning against my fence. Originally i was going with tesla and had planned to max 3 of the mppt's out with 3 strings of 10 (if i remember correctly), but couldn't bring myself to support Elmo. I dont HAVE to do three strings of ten its just what my original plan was and seems to lineup with how most inverters seem to cap out around 600v. i could be wrong for sure and am here to learn.

I am receiving 2 franklinwh batteries, an aGate, and the generator charger addon. I also have 30 HiMo Lr5-72HBD panels and a bunch of 1.5" metal pipe for the ground mount.

 

[ahreno]

Why keep asking the same questions for months only to start spewing about how you hate Elon… Guess what we don't care!

because there's never any suggestions, everyone is more concerned with every other aspect of it than what i'm asking?

 

[Offthewall]

because there's never any suggestions, everyone is more concerned with every other aspect of it than what i'm asking?

Maybe thats because people need more details about the system to be able to make recommendations…

You know what would be easier, ask the person installing the system!!!

 

[ahreno]

Since YOU brought it up, please tell me why you think he is a Nazi as opposed to being just a garden variety right wing conservative. Please note, I am being civil and I have no interest in name calling or being ugly. I’m genuinely curious what evidence you have that he is a Nazi? If you aren’t interested in a civil discussion, then I wish you good luck with your system. My opinion remains the same. Microinverters combined with AC coupled batteries makes for an expensive and complicated system, good luck.

ok, you dont like microinverters with ac coupled batteries, so what inverter WOULD you suggest for an ac coupled battery? it's literally the only thing i'm trying to discuss in this thread.

 

[watchdoc]

because there's never any suggestions, everyone is more concerned with every other aspect of it than what i'm asking?

I gave you multiple suggestions. There are literally dozens of videos discussing how to add the Franklin battery to an existing system. The most popular choice is enphase. A cheaper and less reliable option would be solaredge.

 

[ahreno]

Maybe thats because people need more details about the system to be able to make recommendations…

You know what would be easier, ask the person installing the system!!!

what more details would you like that i haven't provided?

 

[Hedges]

I use SMA Sunny Boy inverters. For AC coupling to anything other than a Sunny Island, I think you would want one that implements Rule 21 frequency/watts. That is assuming your Franklin implements frequency shift power control.

15kW (STC) of panels I would consider mounting on a 7.7 kW Sunny Boy of the -41 series (for rooftop mount with RSD) or possibly -40 series if RSD not needed. If the PV strings are oriented multiple directions, the wattage would be a good fit. This is a discontinued model, but you may find one available.

If all panels oriented the same direction, you want about 10kW of inverter. That could be a 7.7 kW + a 3.3kW; that is what I acquired to put on my sister's house.

SMA has a newer model Sunny Boy Smart Energy which I think will also work, available up to 11.5 kW, but costs more per watt.

Any of the current crop of California CEC listed inverters should support Rule 21.
But make sure it is accepted by your utility. Some on the list aren't allowed any more by PG&E.

There are probably a number of AIO which also support it. You could then have Franklin provide whole house backup and optionally add a battery to the AIO as critical loads backup.