wpns
Solar Joules are catch and release
My "HOA/Power Co-Op" has recently passed rules against Net Metering (because reasons), and the power quality of our grid keeps getting worse (frequency excursion of +/- 5 Hz(!), etc), and my many individual UPS batteries need replacing, so it's time for the Whole House UPS paradigm, and batteries seem to be getting cheaper.
My current system is:
Ground Mount south facing planar array, 12KW panels in 3 parallel strings of 15 panels each, 10KW SMA Grid-Tie inverter, works fine.
Roof-mount, two arrays (east and west-facing) of two strings each (10 and 9 panels per string) 15K total, with two GoodWe 7600A inverters, also works fine.
However, to add batteries it looks like I need new inverter(s).
I'm being quoted Fortress eVault Max 18.5 KWHR batteries for around $10K and Sol-Ark 15K all-in-one inverters at around $7K each. But I had a couple of questions for the experts here, who probably have some experience with the above systems in isolation, or hopefully in combination:
0) Are the above decent companies with products that can reasonably be expected to last decades? I've seen much lower prices, but I want a company that'll still be around in 10 years...
1) The Sol-Ark inverters have 3 MPPT inputs, which fits well with the planar 3-string array. But the roof-mount array is 10-string and 9-string on either side of the roof. How can I (or can I?) connect 4 strings to 3 MPPT inputs?
2) The budget and available space fits 3 of the Fortress batteries, and it looks like I need to connect all the batteries and inverters in parallel, is there a good recommendation for a DC combiner that'll connect (3) 180A batteries and (2) 275A inverters?
3) I'm still studying the manuals, but how do you parallel two of the Sol-Ark 15K inverters on the AC side?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
My current system is:
Ground Mount south facing planar array, 12KW panels in 3 parallel strings of 15 panels each, 10KW SMA Grid-Tie inverter, works fine.
Roof-mount, two arrays (east and west-facing) of two strings each (10 and 9 panels per string) 15K total, with two GoodWe 7600A inverters, also works fine.
However, to add batteries it looks like I need new inverter(s).
I'm being quoted Fortress eVault Max 18.5 KWHR batteries for around $10K and Sol-Ark 15K all-in-one inverters at around $7K each. But I had a couple of questions for the experts here, who probably have some experience with the above systems in isolation, or hopefully in combination:
eVault Max 18.5kWh LFP Battery ® - Fortress Power
The newest innovative Lithium Iron Phosphate battery from Fortress Power is the eVault Max 18.5 kWh ®. An all-in-one solution for your residential and
www.fortresspower.com
Sol-Ark 15K All-In-One
Sol-Ark® 15K-2P solar hybrid inverter is powerful and military-grade that is scalable, battery-agnostic, and a true whole home backup. Learn more.
www.sol-ark.com
0) Are the above decent companies with products that can reasonably be expected to last decades? I've seen much lower prices, but I want a company that'll still be around in 10 years...
1) The Sol-Ark inverters have 3 MPPT inputs, which fits well with the planar 3-string array. But the roof-mount array is 10-string and 9-string on either side of the roof. How can I (or can I?) connect 4 strings to 3 MPPT inputs?
2) The budget and available space fits 3 of the Fortress batteries, and it looks like I need to connect all the batteries and inverters in parallel, is there a good recommendation for a DC combiner that'll connect (3) 180A batteries and (2) 275A inverters?
3) I'm still studying the manuals, but how do you parallel two of the Sol-Ark 15K inverters on the AC side?
Thanks in advance for any advice!