JCSchwarb
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2022
- Messages
- 499
After installing 60 panels and commissioning our EG4 6500EX 6 inverter system, I realized we had far too much tree shade. After trimming two large oaks, the system is now generating over 2kW at 9am and has solid production throughout the day on all panels.
In Florida, I learned that the high winter solstice Dec 21, has a sun slant angle of 38 degrees. In the high summer June 21, it is 86 degrees, see attached image that shows this sun - solar slant angle difference based on the seasons. Previous to topping our two beautiful and virgin live oaks (never been cut before), we were getting minimal solar production and some days staying in grid bypass until 1pm. Yesterday we went from low battery voltage with the system switching to grid, but by 9:30 had achieved 50V which is the cutoff point chosen to switch off bypass transferring to solar mode (PV and battery). I learned that even some shade 30-40% casted, was shutting production down to a paltry 250w or less, which is 90% drop on one string of eight 330w panels.
While I hadn’t factored in such a huge and disruptive tree trimming, it was necessary to get proper solar production. The trimming cost $1,100 and hauling away was another $400. I assume this is part of the solar tax installment and will see if I can include in total system costs for tax purposes. My wife was not happy with me cutting into our beautiful oaks, but I reassured her that in a few months they would fill out and look better than ever.
Next test is checking to see if/when we are getting a full battery charge, as we have never seen above a 50% SOC (battery LED) or about 53.5V. From there the batteries lose voltage quickly such that by sundown we are at 52.5V. We either are not getting a complete charge, the SOC percentage is not calculating correctly or the batteries (50 kWh) are not nearly enough to hold us through the night, which is not making sense to me as our demand is low this time of year with no HVAC use.
Has anyone else experienced this with shaded issues in winter? How about with EG4 Lifepower4 batteries not charging fully or loads causing excessive and unexplained drop in capacity?
In Florida, I learned that the high winter solstice Dec 21, has a sun slant angle of 38 degrees. In the high summer June 21, it is 86 degrees, see attached image that shows this sun - solar slant angle difference based on the seasons. Previous to topping our two beautiful and virgin live oaks (never been cut before), we were getting minimal solar production and some days staying in grid bypass until 1pm. Yesterday we went from low battery voltage with the system switching to grid, but by 9:30 had achieved 50V which is the cutoff point chosen to switch off bypass transferring to solar mode (PV and battery). I learned that even some shade 30-40% casted, was shutting production down to a paltry 250w or less, which is 90% drop on one string of eight 330w panels.
While I hadn’t factored in such a huge and disruptive tree trimming, it was necessary to get proper solar production. The trimming cost $1,100 and hauling away was another $400. I assume this is part of the solar tax installment and will see if I can include in total system costs for tax purposes. My wife was not happy with me cutting into our beautiful oaks, but I reassured her that in a few months they would fill out and look better than ever.
Next test is checking to see if/when we are getting a full battery charge, as we have never seen above a 50% SOC (battery LED) or about 53.5V. From there the batteries lose voltage quickly such that by sundown we are at 52.5V. We either are not getting a complete charge, the SOC percentage is not calculating correctly or the batteries (50 kWh) are not nearly enough to hold us through the night, which is not making sense to me as our demand is low this time of year with no HVAC use.
Has anyone else experienced this with shaded issues in winter? How about with EG4 Lifepower4 batteries not charging fully or loads causing excessive and unexplained drop in capacity?
