Repro
Solar Enthusiast
In March this year (2021), I installed a small system with a Growatt 24 SPF3000TL and encountered power fluctuation issues that I could not resolve. See this link:
I ran into all kinds of issues that included safety inspections and permits as well. So I scrubbed my installation, returned the Growatt and did a LOT of research. I ended up purchasing a system based on a lot of Victron Energy components:
VE Quattro 48/5000 inverter/charger
VE 150/70 Blue Solar charge controller
VE Lynx distribution system
VE Cerbo GX
VE Smart Shunt
Two 48V/100Ah Signature Solar EG4 LifePower4 batteries
I also still have 4 Ampere Time Plus 12V/200Ah batteries that are not in use at the moment
Due to COVID, just getting the appropriate permits for the electrical installation and the building permit for the solar panels took a couple of months. The city I live in has never had a solar installation like mine, and they did not know how to handle it. I did a panel ground mount with an off-grid solar installation type. A little unusual for a city home. My solar set up is so. I have a completely off grid system that cannot and does not feed into the grid. It is grid connected in the case solar cannot produce enough to cover my needs. Only then will it power AC and the batteries at the same time.
I wanted my VE system to work just like a Growatt. I must admit, the Growatt is MUCH MUCH easier to setup and configure. But I had issues as I mentioned above. When I replaced the Growatt with my old Giandel 2200W inverter, I suddenly had stable power. I was then convinced that the issue was the Growatt. The VE Quattro is extremely stable delivering a clean and constant 120V power without dips/fluctuations. I power two refrigerators, two sump pumps, a front loader wash machine, two outlets in my kitchen and one outlet in my garage. I have purposely started all at once through the subpanel to see how it handled the load. No problem at all.
I am proud to report that my basic system has been installed safely and passed inspection. the installation is not complete to my wishes, but now that I have passed inspection, I will make the additions and clean up some of the wiring. The Quattro is now set up to use solar to charge the batteries and provide AC power as the priority. No power is being drawn from the grid. After a solid 8 days of use, proof of concept has been achieved. In that time, it has produced 37 kWh from my small 1920W panel array. That is in Pennsylvania with short days in November. I am very happy with the installation. Now I can play with it and get it tweaked as time goes on.
You will see in the pictures of the installation, that after the inspection I added the Cerbo GX and and need to re-run my battery cables. This was an extremely tight space for all of the components. But they are in a climatized room and protected. I will be adding an automated power transfer switch for my furnace blower in the coming weeks. I will keep posting as I finish the installation.
My tips to you are: Please check with your local officials/government for permits and possible inspections that need to be performed. Had I done this, I would have saved a TON of time, money and work. My neighbor reported me to the Code enforcement office concerning my panels in the yard. And so the fun began.
Growatt 24V SPF 3000TL LVM off-grid
I'm curious if the idle draw of the inverter whatever that may be(50 watts?) is always cumulative with any additional AC loads added to the inverter. Well, you'd also have to disconnect or measure when there are no charging sources available...
diysolarforum.com
I ran into all kinds of issues that included safety inspections and permits as well. So I scrubbed my installation, returned the Growatt and did a LOT of research. I ended up purchasing a system based on a lot of Victron Energy components:
VE Quattro 48/5000 inverter/charger
VE 150/70 Blue Solar charge controller
VE Lynx distribution system
VE Cerbo GX
VE Smart Shunt
Two 48V/100Ah Signature Solar EG4 LifePower4 batteries
I also still have 4 Ampere Time Plus 12V/200Ah batteries that are not in use at the moment
Due to COVID, just getting the appropriate permits for the electrical installation and the building permit for the solar panels took a couple of months. The city I live in has never had a solar installation like mine, and they did not know how to handle it. I did a panel ground mount with an off-grid solar installation type. A little unusual for a city home. My solar set up is so. I have a completely off grid system that cannot and does not feed into the grid. It is grid connected in the case solar cannot produce enough to cover my needs. Only then will it power AC and the batteries at the same time.
I wanted my VE system to work just like a Growatt. I must admit, the Growatt is MUCH MUCH easier to setup and configure. But I had issues as I mentioned above. When I replaced the Growatt with my old Giandel 2200W inverter, I suddenly had stable power. I was then convinced that the issue was the Growatt. The VE Quattro is extremely stable delivering a clean and constant 120V power without dips/fluctuations. I power two refrigerators, two sump pumps, a front loader wash machine, two outlets in my kitchen and one outlet in my garage. I have purposely started all at once through the subpanel to see how it handled the load. No problem at all.
I am proud to report that my basic system has been installed safely and passed inspection. the installation is not complete to my wishes, but now that I have passed inspection, I will make the additions and clean up some of the wiring. The Quattro is now set up to use solar to charge the batteries and provide AC power as the priority. No power is being drawn from the grid. After a solid 8 days of use, proof of concept has been achieved. In that time, it has produced 37 kWh from my small 1920W panel array. That is in Pennsylvania with short days in November. I am very happy with the installation. Now I can play with it and get it tweaked as time goes on.
You will see in the pictures of the installation, that after the inspection I added the Cerbo GX and and need to re-run my battery cables. This was an extremely tight space for all of the components. But they are in a climatized room and protected. I will be adding an automated power transfer switch for my furnace blower in the coming weeks. I will keep posting as I finish the installation.
My tips to you are: Please check with your local officials/government for permits and possible inspections that need to be performed. Had I done this, I would have saved a TON of time, money and work. My neighbor reported me to the Code enforcement office concerning my panels in the yard. And so the fun began.