Different pitches - seperate inverters/MPPT?

[SolarCity]

Has anyone installed a system on a roof with two seperate pitches, yet the same orientation? I'm presuming this would require either two inverters or a dual MPP tracker inverter.

If so, I wonder how different a pitch would need to be before it became a concern. We are designing a system for a roof that has an incline of 20 degrees and then 35 degrees. Am I worrying too much or should this be put on seperate inverters? I'd appreciated your opinions.

 

[BruceB]

Different angles means the optimum power point will be different and therefore x2 mppts needed. SMA are quite unequivocal on this in their installation instructions. Conversely there was a Fronius technical paper I read recently that said you could even put east and west facing panels on the same input and the power lost was not significant. Good luck on finding some numbers to settle the argument!
Regards
Bruce

 

[pvsolaruk]

Hi BiggsSolar,

The Power-One 3.0 & 3.6 are manufactured with 2x independent MPPT trackers.
They also boast a start-up/kick-in voltage of 130V, which is one of the lowest available on the market.

We feel these units are ideally suited for split roof installations.

If you would like to discuss these further, please feel free to contact me anytime.

Thanks & regards,
Christopher

PV Solar UK Ltd
0800 634 8505 - [email protected]

 

[Markc]

Power-one twin MPP inverters are a good bit of kit and for split systems well worth serious thought. All our split systems have the power-one.

 

[SolarCity]

I think I'll spec it for this job just to be on the safe side. Thanks fellas.

 

[pvsolaruk]

They are great for split roof jobs, but just as good on normal single-pitch installs.

A simple switch on the board will allow for a standard paralleled input, just like it's competitors'.
The adjustment is very straight forward and can be made on-site, or at base.

If you would like any more information on Power-One, please feel free to ask me any questions you may have!
We are an official Power-One partner and the largest stockist of their product in the UK.

Thanks & best regards,
Christopher

 

[MorganPVI]

You stock the indoor model?

 

[oldAL]

from how I understand it if you wire in series then the bright panels will force power the dull panels before they produce any power,
very much similar to shading,

 

[pvsolaruk]

@Morgan123 - Yes we stock the PVI-2.0 indoor model. The stocked 3.0 & 3.6 are the outdoor IP65 versions.

If you want any more info, just let me know.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Noddy67]

Question on the dual mpp? I've got a 16 panel array on the same elevation/aspect totalling about 3.6kwp but four of the panels are going to get a bit of shade from a chimney. Firstly will a dual MPP tracker cope with this imbalance?

Secondly the MPP inverter says a max 600v DC input. 12 x 38v plus ROT will give me about about 525v... then other four will be about 170v. I presume that's as two seperate MPPS's that's OK as they're treated seperately and not added together.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MichaelM]

You could also use the SMA SB4000TL which has dual MPPTs and can take different numbers of modules in each string. The 4000TL also has built in Bluetooth technology so you can use a Sunny Beam personal display unit or pair the inverter directly to a PC!

Another option would be either micro inverters or Solar Edge (Solar Inverters, Power Optimizers and PV Monitoring | SolarEdge)