Sunsynk 8.8kW hybrid: Limit export to 5kw?

[ed50112]

Hi all - I have an existing system with 4kw Panels and 3.7kW inverter (UK FITS scheme with good generation tariff) and plan to add 11kw more panels, a Sunsynk 8.8kW Ecco Hybrid inverter and 21hkW of Sunsynk batteries. I've done a ton of research, reading the Sunsynk manual, Knowledge guides, Keith's videos etc but have one critical question I can't find an answer to:

I want to export, but the DNO have set a 5kW limit. From everything I've read you can set the Sunsynk inverter's "Inverter Power Limiter" (in System Mode, System 2 settings), but it seems that limits the entire inverter functionality (effectively turning it in to a 5kW inverter), which defeats the purpose of buying a 8.8kW inverter to handle peak generation of the 11kW of additional panels. Is that the effect of that setting?

Does anyone know if you can set the Sunsynk with a lower export limit (5kW) whilst maintaining all other inverter functions (e.g. solar to load) at the full 8.8kW?

FYI here's my proposed architecture (this is a standard model, taken straight from the Sunsynk manual, and Keith from Sunsynk has done a good video on it - apparently the Sunsynk plays nicely with the 2nd inverter, even taking AC in from it and using it to charge the batteries). Critically, the CT coil is right before the grid, so the inverter clearly knows the export figure - I just can't find a setting to limit it to 5kW...

 

[houseofancients]

Under work mode you can set max sell to 5000w, which would do exactly what you want..
Now, if your power company accepts that you are able to modify that, and will not permit you to connect to their grid , is an entirely different question

 

[ed50112]

Under work mode you can set max sell to 5000w, which would do exactly what you want..
Now, if your power company accepts that you are able to modify that, and will not permit you to connect to their grid , is an entirely different question

Thank you! However I don't see 'Work Mode' anywhere in the manual. Is it the same as 'Power' column on this page from the manual?

I've read that that setting just controls battery discharge rate. Does it limit export also?

Or may be this one:


However, I read that the 'Inverter Power Limiter' limits the entire inverter, not just the export...

(Yes, will have to ensure the power company is happy - that's another challenge, once I know how it is done technically)

 

[ed50112]

To re-phrase this, I'm in the UK and trying to figure out if the Sunsynk is compliant with G100. I found this https://www.ena-eng.org/gen-ttr/TTf1l3s/SUNSY_05351_220930033712.pdf which appears to be a Sunsynk G100 Compliance declaration covering the SYNK-8K-SG05LP1 inverter I'm considering. Assuming that cert is genuine, it looks promising. I also has screenshots of the config of "Max Sell Power" in the "System Work Mode" page as you mentioned @houseofancients.

From the 2022 Compliance declaration:


However, that certificate is dated 13th August 2022. The manual I have for SYNK-8K-SG05LP1 inverter (downloaded from Sunsynk website) is v.18 dated 23rd May 2024 (21 months after that G100 declaration). There is no "System Work Mode" or "Max Sell Power" mentioned. It looks like they shuffled the user interface in the more recent firmware?

• "System Work Mode" is now "System Mode" ("System 2" sub-menu)
• "Max Sell Power" has gone, apparently replaced by "Inverter Power Limiter" - but it says "This controls the maximum overall power, both to the ‘Load’ and ‘Grid’ ports combined.". I read this as "Even though you paid for a 8.8kW inverter, but only want to run it as a xx kW inverter", which would seem to have very limited use cases (certainly no good for me as I'm connecting 11kW of panels to it)...

From the 2024 User Manual:


I also found in the Sunsynk Training manual part 2, page 37 (downloaded today from the Sunsynk website, but dated Feb 2022) the following. This defines "Max Sell Power" the same as "Inverter Power Limiter" on the more recent UI: "This controls the maximum overall power, both to the load and grid ports combined"




Pulling all this together, it seems to me that the Sunsynk has never had the ability to limit just the Export - it is limiting the entire inverter. I guess this does achieve G100 compliance, but is extremely cynical. In my case if I paid for the 8.8kW inverter, I'd immediately have to software limit it to the equivalent of a 5kW inverter. Complete waste of money on the inverter, and my 11kW panels would be clipped on most sunny days...

I do hope I'm wrong. Does anyone have a live Sunsynk inverter with recent firmware who can confirm if there is a setting in the menu to genuinely limit export only (without throttling the entire inverter?)

 

[houseofancients]

To re-phrase this, I'm in the UK and trying to figure out if the Sunsynk is compliant with G100. I found this https://www.ena-eng.org/gen-ttr/TTf1l3s/SUNSY_05351_220930033712.pdf which appears to be a Sunsynk G100 Compliance declaration covering the SYNK-8K-SG05LP1 inverter I'm considering. Assuming that cert is genuine, it looks promising. I also has screenshots of the config of "Max Sell Power" in the "System Work Mode" page as you mentioned @houseofancients.

From the 2022 Compliance declaration:
View attachment 281020

However, that certificate is dated 13th August 2022. The manual I have for SYNK-8K-SG05LP1 inverter (downloaded from Sunsynk website) is v.18 dated 23rd May 2024 (21 months after that G100 declaration). There is no "System Work Mode" or "Max Sell Power" mentioned. It looks like they shuffled the user interface in the more recent firmware?

• "System Work Mode" is now "System Mode" ("System 2" sub-menu)
• "Max Sell Power" has gone, apparently replaced by "Inverter Power Limiter" - but it says "This controls the maximum overall power, both to the ‘Load’ and ‘Grid’ ports combined.". I read this as "Even though you paid for a 8.8kW inverter, but only want to run it as a xx kW inverter", which would seem to have very limited use cases (certainly no good for me as I'm connecting 11kW of panels to it)...

From the 2024 User Manual:
View attachment 281019

I also found in the Sunsynk Training manual part 2, page 37 (downloaded today from the Sunsynk website, but dated Feb 2022) the following. This defines "Max Sell Power" the same as "Inverter Power Limiter" on the more recent UI: "This controls the maximum overall power, both to the load and grid ports combined"
View attachment 281021



Pulling all this together, it seems to me that the Sunsynk has never had the ability to limit just the Export - it is limiting the entire inverter

It is most certainly not .
I limit the export of my sunsynks 12k 3 phase to 8 kw per inverter..
This only limits export to the grid

. I guess this does achieve G100 compliance, but is extremely cynical. In my case if I paid for the 8.8kW inverter, I'd immediately have to software limit it to the equivalent of a 5kW inverter. Complete waste of money on the inverter, and my 11kW panels would be clipped on most sunny days...

Assumptions are the mother of all ....

I do hope I'm wrong. Does anyone have a live Sunsynk inverter with recent firmware who can confirm if there is a setting in the menu to genuinely limit export only (without throttling the entire inverter?)

Just did

 

[ed50112]

It is most certainly not .
I limit the export of my sunsynks 12k 3 phase to 8 kw per inverter..
This only limits export to the grid


Assumptions are the mother of all ....

Just did

Fabulous! Thank you. Very happy to be wrong here! Just shows that relying on documentation is not always a good thing! Sunsynk looks like very configurable and capable kit generally - it appears to have a lot of features which other inverters don't, so I'm looking forward to getting it installed and working.

Presumably your config says "Max Sell Power" (rather than "Inverter Power Limiter" like the manual I've downloaded). Could I ask how old/recent your inverter hardware and firmware is, please?

 

[houseofancients]

Fabulous! Thank you. Very happy to be wrong here! Just shows that relying on documentation is not always a good thing! Sunsynk looks like very configurable and capable kit generally - it appears to have a lot of features which other inverters don't, so I'm looking forward to getting it installed and working.

Presumably your config says "Max Sell Power" (rather than "Inverter Power Limiter" like the manual I've downloaded). Could I ask how old/recent your inverter hardware and firmware is, please?

If like looking for info/config options or how to do specific things..
Search yt/forums for deye / sol-ark..
All the same inverters, be it, different Gui software, so options used might be differently named, but will do the same

Firmware on inverters was updated 2 weeks ago, but rarely use the complete useless app or inverter interface..
Use solar assistant, which is completely local ( no cloud nonsense) and updates are instant

 

[houseofancients]

 

[ed50112]

Use solar assistant, which is completely local ( no cloud nonsense) and updates are instant

Couldn't agree more (cloud nonsense, and AI while we're at it)! Was looking in to Solar Assistant - that's now a definite!

 

[ed50112]

View attachment 281060
View attachment 281061

Perfect! You have made my day. Thank you.