Mixing and matching panels (with Solis AC Inverter)

I like to sit in the front seats of the moviehouse so I can see the film before everyone else.
Sorry, taking the Mickey.
It doesn’t matter what order.

Maybe, but I think the Victron is slow, and the CT is fast, so maybe this is avoided.

I have thought about the “bug”. I think it is a type of deliberate soft protection by the Solis.
Basically, an immediate drop off of output to zero from the CT ( like load-shedding produces, which in most countries is an unusual event)) is interpreted as a faulty CT, and therefore “status quo” is the response until any CT output is resumed.

So I think this response isn’t so much a bug, as deliberate.

You could defeat this protection by feeding a 2nd wire through the CT from a small downstream load of the Victron. It would mean the CT is slightly inaccurate because it had a slight offset, which would resolve the issue.

I laughed … at the speed of light you ARE seeing it before the rest, and hearing the sound at the speed of sound. You are just too “slow” to notice that. :laughing:

Just re-iterating what I’m saying:
Seeing as loads go off, and feedback has to stop faster than our brains can compute, how fast can it be throttled to not affect the PAYG meter “too much”, with two separate feeds to control, I wonder?

I think the Solis could be faster than a Victron, seeing it is dedicated to one task only. Victron has batts involved … a longer control loop. Still damn fast I must say, Victron that is.

Yes, Victron may be slower, and for good reasons. Still damn fast! We are talking mS warning, seconds to “act”.

Then I think, what if the Solis CT is 2nd, the Carlo first … then I can actually see what is fed back momentarily in those seconds it takes to register … that Victron has the advantage that it can use its control loop and dump most of it into the batts in those seconds … all depends on how fast the Solis can act compared to the Victron, as seconds count here.

Or maybe Victron will be “slowing” down the Solis … the seconds/mili seconds timeframes that is.

Still Carlo first, then I have data …

Noted.
Ander dag … IF I am “forced” to go there.

No. CT of the Solis goes in the same place as always, next to the Carlo Gavazzi.

The Solis then pushes backwards THROUGh the Multi. The Multi can use that power to charge the batteries, or power loads on the output. It can also send that power to the loads on the input side. Once the batteries goes full, and if there isn’t enough loads to use all that power, only then will the CT on the input side start to see a reverse flow, and only then does the limiter activate.

One important thing to do here: Set your ESS grid setpoint to import MORE power than the Solis wants to use as limit. You want them to fight each other. The Multi must constantly try to pull the import value up, while the Solis pushes it down.

If you don’t do this, you can end up in a situation where the Multi is powering everything from the batteries, and the Solis is limiting because according to its CT it looks like all the loads are already covered (which they are… just not in the way you want).

(And yes, that is exactly how Fronius limiting is handled as well, by inserting an offset between them… the only difference is it is done automatically only during sunlight hours).

Got that. Wondering, which is best, CT before or after the Carlo? What is your preference?

NOTED!!! :+1:
Can adjust that with NodeRED, lowering the setpoint at the same time I set the max inverter watts for evening use. Up it again the next morning. Cool!

To confirm:
When the geysers are on, there is no LS … that is when I need the additional power.
Long-term goal. More ROI when CoCT can pay … then I will feed back. Maar nie vandag.

Not putting geysers onto Critical loads either. Changeover or not. That teeny thing of needing to keep a “note” of LS, the state of the changeover switch, irradiation … and the pesky SOC. Nee.

No AI yet … so no automation either.

KIVSS (Keep It Very Simple Stupid)

For there are “others” living here too … don’t want to be their “safety net” anymore. Can we switch this on, can we do that … bad enough already to keep them in line within 4kw max … and the SOC … during LS.

Yes, I know, install a 15kw system … bet you they will max that too … and still ignore the SOC.

Want it as dumb as chips.

Whichever one fits into the DB board without making me sad or tripping my OCD.

I’ll just post this here … man, this is such a cool idea!!!

As illustrated:

Whether those panels are a scam or not, my £2k Brompton bike got these stickers from day 1.

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System, as is, is balanced … if there is sun: 8 people and 3 geysers - managed

Update on all we spoke of above… have a Solis-1P2.5K-4G now:

  1. Just waiting to hear about the panels I want to fit … if it can, or only 500w panels max.
  2. Solis will be fitted to the main DB, with a Carlo.
  3. LS is easing in Cpt, if it gets really bad, can fit Solis after the Victron.
    Solis AC Couple Victron Setup Guide v1.0-JASON_YAZBEK.pdf (990.2 KB)
    Geysers are not on critical loads today … more DB wiring … Nee.
  4. 250/85 and 150/35 (5.2kw total) is there to run the Critical loads, and recharge the batts.

The logic: If the Solis can take the ±550w panels:

  • ± R12k + install/frames - which makes sense for 6 x 550w panels.
  • Get ±R3k back from taxes in 2024, so wot, ±R9k - and panels are really affordable now.
  • Can run 2 geysers same time daytime - and keep them on.
  • Batts are recharged faster, Victron spare goes to house/geysers.
  • When CoCT says sell back, I can look at it in summer to do that, even if I just cover the connection fee.
  • Annually I will spend less on Eskom, due to more wattage in winter.

So in a nutshell, for the 8 adults with 3 x geysers, the 3kw array is for geyser heating, basically, the difference comes from the spare on the main system, as I run to 20% SOC every night.

Cheaper than a heatpump … per geyser. :rofl:

Fwiw, my 500W panels made their first real power today, using the 2kW Solis that is similar to yours. Still wired somewhat ghetto at the moment (PV inverter just shoved into a plug), but recorded a nice 1.6kW around noon, from 2kWp of panels, which are not optimally angled (rather, aesthetically angled).

I recharged all the distance we did with the EV today entirely from the sun.

Plan for this is pretty similar to yours. Get house battery recharged by 2PM when the EV comes home. After that, there is enough PV to recharge the car fully by 5PM.

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I have 13 ART Solar 550W panels on a Solis 1P4.6K-4G PV Inverter. 7 on the one string and 6 on the other. My angle is only 17,5 degrees NNE. The Solis handles them with ease. The reason I put so many on is the angle, for cloudy and winder days. My MLT Powerstar 10H does the frequency shifting when the Solis generated to much energy. I have switched of my mains for the last month and a half and have not had to switch it back on as yet.

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Solis says these panels are spot one …

These panels: CS6W-550MS-N-FRAME-T6
Canadian Solar 550W Super High Power Mono PERC HiKU6 with T6 and New-Frame Length
Monocrystalline

Now I’m known to buy and then have I see the corner I’m in … there is more than one model of 550w Canadian panels - hence the question basically.

What am I missing, if anything?

I have the Solis mini 2000 , 600V max input, but limited to 11A (17A Isc).

I got confused. I THOUGHT I have Canadian Solar, but it seems I instead bought JA Solar. Funny. I little cared so little about the brand that I didn’t even look.

The Imp is 13A, while the Isc is just under 14A.

If I look at the Information screen on the inverter, it seems to be pegged at 11A most of the day. Multipplied by a Vmp of around 38V, explains why I’m only getting around 1600W out of the lot. That’s about 80% of the installed capacity. Practically verified :slight_smile:

Based on the NMOT values, it seems I accidentally got on the right track because of your post, and @Anton’s confirmation.

… and very happy I asked Solis to confirm it is indeed the right track, seeing as the Canadians are sometimes different from other brands. :wink:

My specs:
image

Contemplating having an E/W setup, 3 on the one MPPT, and 3 on the other MPPT.

May affect my PCP/DVD/ADD though as the house is angled N/W, so to make E/W alignment on the new roof, would have to angle the frames from right back to left front corner keeping a tree in mind for late afternoon and early morning shade from the house …

… or face all 6 panels east for the morning, my weakest generation time, as the existing panels run better after 11 am.

Then again looking at this …

E/W seems so much better idea … adding a panel or two a few months later per MPPT.

Decisions decisions … ai.

Will see.