3kw split array with an aurora 3000 for 9400 is that reasonable?

[Donavan Bangs]

Im just wondering if it is that he just uses the sma free software and in the example he sent me didn't seem to allow the sse/ west split of the system with the generation figures for that. I mean yes it is about 30 degree angle for the roof but the azimuth he input was 0 which i think is south. but i dont have access to anythingThe warranty looks to be only 5 years on the inverters and i have no idea about monitoring the system. As well as saying he needed to know immediately my choice as he had to call right then. It just does not inspire much confidence particularly as i said as i had called 2 weeks ago and asked if they actually had everything, all the parts they needed and they had said yes. and since then we find they had the parts apart from the right panels, or roof hooks, and now the inverter. so i suppose they were good on cable and rails. But i know a lot of you face the same frustrations with your suppliers.

 

[SolarCity]

In any other set of circumstances, I would be very critical of your installer.

However, the last month has been a huge stress-fest and we've all experienced problems like your installer has. We have all been told that we can have stock by our suppliers only to be spectacularly let down afterwards.

A lot of installers also rely on Sunny Design to sort their systems out. It is a little worrying that he got his azimuths wrong but it won't have any practical affect on the system.

There aren't many two MPP tracker inverters available around the 3kWp mark so two inverters may be the only option.

 

[tommac1]

I've been hearing good things about Danfoss inverters which have triple MPPTs. Don't know if there are any available just now though

 

[Donavan Bangs]

well everything is in and functional and paperwork checked by edf. Later on i will get some monitoring stuff for the inverters im hoping to be able to bluetooth the inverters to my pc but would need the piggy back boards i think. I even lowered my own chimney so it didn't affect the panels much. Still a little concerned by 1.5kw going into a 1200 but i have been told it is unlikely i will go over the 1300 max input.

 

[Donavan Bangs]

Two questions does it void the warranty on the inverters or cause a hazard if they have been mounted without correct clearances on all sides ie 20 cm from each other and put on a plywood board when the instructions say not on flammable building materials?
And is it ok for the cables on the panels to be touching the roof tiles?

 

[SolarCity]

I would have thought that not leaving the correct clearances would void the inverter warranty as they are likely to get hotter than usual.

The plywood board/flammable board issue is one of safety rather than warranty.

Cables on roof tiles - not ideal but sometimes unavoidable. As long as the installer has done all he can to keep the cables secure then that is all you can ask.