SunDave
Solar Wizard
Consider helping the OP with the original question and starting a new thread to have the arguments in.
DIY Sol - Ark 15K system. Any feedback?
- Thread starter TexasAmerica777
- Start date
Tulex
Solar Wizard
Not entirely. Deye makes Sol-Ark products. Not the same thing.I think you should, .....
Solark is a rebadged Deye,
.....
1201
Net zero
I said he should get two growatt 10ks. Cheaper, more power, and more PV than one solark 15k.
It's also manufactured directly by growatt, one of the largest inverter manufacturers in the world.
Oh, I forgot, growatt also doesn't brick legally bought inverters like solark has done.
Tulex
Solar Wizard
Sol-Ark didn't, and you know that.
1201
Net zero
They most definitely did, and EVERYONE knows that
#neverforget #neversolark
Tulex
Solar Wizard
You know full well that Sol-Ark is not Deye. Deye makes inverters for Sol-Ark under contract. Deye shut down inverters that they viewed as violating the agreement that Deye and Sol-Ark have. For you to say otherwise is pure ignorance.
1201
Net zero
Think what you think, we know what we know.
SplitUniverse
Solar Wizard
Guys, CAN WE STOP THIS SHIT-SHOW? that's not what the OP came here for.
OP, start shopping around for that fuseable disconnect, it will be one of the pieces that is pretty hard to find for a reasonable price.
OP, start shopping around for that fuseable disconnect, it will be one of the pieces that is pretty hard to find for a reasonable price.
TexasAmerica777
New Member
That is what I am discovering. I have found a few locally on Facebook marketplace that are in box, new and good brands (Eaton or GE).
TexasAmerica777
New Member
Here is a picture of my dad’s system. He is on the same co-op as I am. He has a complete Enphase system and he loves it. Came on the house when he bought it. His disconnect does not have an external handle, but does have an “external” breaker so to speak. If this style would work for my system that would save some money.
Attachments
TexasAmerica777
New Member
Thank you for your comment! I will upload my excel spreadsheet I made with all the parts I “think” I need to buy. Would love any comments or feedback you may have.
SunDave
Solar Wizard
If you have not seen Sol-Ark's panel calculator yet, that is a great resource for paneling limits per MPPT. It takes weather into consideration, and also helps determine wire sizing.
Tulex
Solar Wizard
TexasAmerica777
New Member
Yes, I have played with this a lot and have also talked with some Sol Ark engineers to confirm my data. It’s also part of the reason I am going with the 460W panels instead of the 550W. The amperage is such that I can get two strings per mppt charger. Does anyone know if you can put less panels on one of the MPPT’s? For example have 16 panels on MPPT 1 & 2 (2 strings of 8) and then 10 panels on MPPT 3, just one string of 10. The amperage and voltage works on the 3rd string. The reason I ask is I may want to add onto my array in the next couple of years and having that 3rd string of 10 panels that I could easily change into 2 strings of 8 would be nice.
TexasAmerica777
New Member
This is what my dad has. Were you required to have a disconnect with an external handle for your installation?
Tulex
Solar Wizard
Couldn't tell you, I'm on the "don't ask" program. But, I wanted a disconnect on the outside, so it was the best option I could find.
TexasAmerica777
New Member
I like that program! Hahaha!
SunDave
Solar Wizard
Yes, you can load up the MPPT inputs any way you like that fits the calculator. It’s fine to have one smaller. I have just 5 panels on the third input, and 14 on each of the others.
grovny
New Member
You mentioned at the beginning needing to get approval only from your coop. I'm also on a coop in N Texas. Did yours approve the Helios battery? I'm told (by NAZ) that Discover won't have their 9540 approved until maybe October. My coop told me they've not encountered the Helios yet and will have to "vet it".
TexasAmerica777
New Member
That is a good question. I honestly did not get that far along in the process. Just called the guy who does the approvals to get some basic questions answered. My coop is Hilco. From the sounds of it, it’s very basic and the guy basically said they want to see a disconnect that is lockable. After that they aren’t too strict. They have an example of the drawing they need to see and it looked like chicken scratch on the back of a napkin.
TexasAmerica777
New Member
This is the sample diagram they have.
Attachments
SunDave
Solar Wizard
I would recommend calling. Don't guess. I put in a lockable disconnect, and had to swap it out for a knife style external handle switch.
TexasAmerica777
New Member
I am planning on sending a picture of the disconnect and getting written confirmation prior to purchasing anything.
grovny
New Member
Thanks. Now that I look closer at the required documentation for a modification (my situation is an addition to a previously approved DG), they require a new One-Line, a new Facility drawing, and a statement of specific increase in power production and power storage capacity - nothing mentions brand or part number of the battery. Or maybe that's supposed to be included with the updated One-Line. I'm with Tri-County Electric Coop, btw.
TexasAmerica777
New Member
Just out of curiosity. What do you pay for electricity? Last month was one of our cheapest in 4 years at $.142/kwh. It’s been as high as $.17/kwh.
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