Growatt solar/utility/battery mode

[ShockinglyAverage]

I have a growatt 3000 24v and it seems there is no way to power my AC loads from a combination of solar and utility while leaving the battery at full charge. Is this correct? The only two settings that would allow for both solar and utility to power loads is either SOL or SBU and both those require the battery to be down to 25.6v (about 20%) before switching from battery to utility. Is there no way to have it run off a priority list of solar 1st, utility 2nd, and only use the battery as a last 3rd option?

 

[timselectric]

I have a growatt 3000 24v and it seems there is no way to power my AC loads from a combination of solar and utility while leaving the battery at full charge. Is this correct? The only two settings that would allow for both solar and utility to power loads is either SOL or SBU and both those require the battery to be down to 25.6v (about 20%) before switching from battery to utility. Is there no way to have it run off a priority list of solar 1st, utility 2nd, and only use the battery as a last 3rd option?

I don't think that unit has a SUB mode.
But if it did, we don't recommend using it, anyway.
Unless you have an export agreement with the utility company. Because in SUB mode, it can export small amounts of power. That can be detected by the newer utility meters.

 

[ShockinglyAverage]

I guess that makes sense. But why are we limited to having to draw the battery down to 25.6 before it kicks over to utility? It seems like if it’s capable of using utility at that state of charge you should be able to set it to kick over at any soc.

 

[timselectric]

I guess that makes sense. But why are we limited to having to draw the battery down to 25.6 before it kicks over to utility? It seems like if it’s capable of using utility at that state of charge you should be able to set it to kick over at any soc.

I don't know why the manufacturer chose the limits.
Does that unit have a "utility first" mode? This would allow the battery to remain full, until the grid goes down. And provide battery backup, if that's the goal.

 

[ShockinglyAverage]

Ya it has a utility mode. And I’ve been keeping it in that just to preserve the battery. It would just be nice to be able to buy a little less energy by using what I can produce in solar without the excess being drawn off my battery.

 

[timselectric]

Ya it has a utility mode. And I’ve been keeping it in that just to preserve the battery. It would just be nice to be able to buy a little less energy by using what I can produce in solar without the excess being drawn off my battery.

That's the purpose of the battery.
To store the excess production and use it later, when the sun isn't shining.
This let's you extend the use of the produced electricity. And lesson the utility bill even more.

 

[ShockinglyAverage]

Ya but if my battery is already full it would be nice to not have to draw it down to almost empty right as the sun is going down just to be able to utilize the grid. The point is I’d like to save the battery backup for when the grid goes down but still utilize what the panels are capable of producing in the mean time.

 

[timselectric]

Ya but if my battery is already full it would be nice to not have to draw it down to almost empty right as the sun is going down just to be able to utilize the grid. The point is I’d like to save the battery backup for when the grid goes down but still utilize what the panels are capable of producing in the mean time.

Do you have Solar Assistant?
It has automations that can switch the modes at your selected parameters.

 

[ShockinglyAverage]

I do. I just got it setup a few days ago. I haven’t had a chance to dive into the automations yet. Guess that’s my next chore. Lol. Thanks for your insight.

 

[Rednecktek]

If you grab the software and a USB cable you can plug a laptop in and change that voltage set point higher.

 

[Kid Solar]

Or you could just set it on the inverter.

 

[Rednecktek]

Or you could just set it on the inverter.

It's a LLLOOOTTT of pushes on those tiny buttons, your finger will be sore.

 

[ShockinglyAverage]

Change what voltage set point?

If you grab the software and a USB cable you can plug a laptop in and change that voltage set point higher.

 

[timselectric]

I was also confused on that one.
Hopefully he will explain soon.

 

[Rednecktek]

There's a PC app for Growatt inverters that lets you do all the configuration via a regular USB printer cable. You can set the voltage in the software to change over to utility to whatever you want it to be. It's a lot easier to set up an inverter that way than using the front buttons and wearing out your fingertips with 10 zillion button presses.

 

[Kid Solar]

It's like 10 button presses lol.

Why on earth would you add/purchase another device to do what the inverter can already do.

Makes no sense whatsoever.

If you've got the dongle you could do it on your phone, anywhere, anytime.

 

[Rednecktek]

It's like 10 button presses lol.

Why on earth would you add/purchase another device to do what the inverter can already do.

Makes no sense whatsoever.

Because I already had the laptop for posting here and pwning n00bs?

There are a LOT more when doing the initial setup.

 

[Kid Solar]

Because I already had the laptop for posting here and pwning n00bs?

Ok ol' fella.

There are a LOT more when doing the initial setup.

What exactly does this mean?

A lot more what?

 

[timselectric]

Whether you do it on the built-in screen or remotely. It's still the same settings with the same limitations.

 

[Rednecktek]

I seem to remember it has a UPS mode that should do what you're after.