Inverter Choice: SolarEdge, SMA SB3600TL or SMA SB4000TL?

[SibertSolar]

How about an Eltek THEIA 3.8HE-t? Built-in webserver, colour LCD, 10yrs warranty, IP65, high-frequency transformer, 97.3% peak efficiency, very low (7W) start-up, integrated DC switch (Santon), output can be capped at 16A. Would be better with 2 strings of 8 modules - could you add another module to your roof perhaps?

Just another option for you (or anyone) - as Earthstore already said, your installer should be giving you options based on your limitations/specification, and justifying each option accordingly. If you do exceed 16A/phase output then you will seriously need to look at a G59/2 approved solution - which in this case hardly seems necessary. However, if you do wish to avail of that little bit extra over and above the 16A/3.68kW (at 230vac) then you could use an Eltek single-phase TL (transformerless) inverter, which are also tested to G59/2:

Eltek 4300TL, 1ph TL, 4.8kWp PV max, IP66, 97.3% peak eff, 7W start-up, embedded data-logger (30yrs), G83/G59 approved, 1 string of 15mods.

Andy

 

[matt25]

If you go SMA, save your money and don't go for the sunnybeam. Laptop does all and more for free (bar the cost of a wireless dongle if you don't have wifi built in to the laptop).

Wait for the "Sunny View" lol

 

[Eco Deal]

solar edge will yeild more per year !!!!

so the extra 600 will return around 5 k extra in 25 years.

so its up to you spend more earn more

we do yingi 265w and solar edge all the time.

 

[JH69]

solar edge will yeild more per year !!!!

so the extra 600 will return around 5 k extra in 25 years.

so its up to you spend more earn more

we do yingi 265w and solar edge all the time.

Hi MEP!

Is that *really* the case if you have no shading issues though?

I had a good read thought the Photon Labs article (http://www.solaredge.com/files/pdfs/se-case-study-photon.pdf), and it seems to show that whilst SolarEdge does produce more even when unshaded, it’s basically only a few percent.

If it was going yield an extra £5k over 25 years then it surely it’s going to have to out-perform other systems by around 25% (very feasible if shading is a big issue, but in my case it’s not).

 

[babba]

Hi MEP!

Is that *really* the case if you have no shading issues though?

I had a good read thought the Photon Labs article (http://www.solaredge.com/files/pdfs/se-case-study-photon.pdf), and it seems to show that whilst SolarEdge does produce more even when unshaded, it’s basically only a few percent.

If it was going yield an extra £5k over 25 years then it surely it’s going to have to out-perform other systems by around 25% (very feasible if shading is a big issue, but in my case it’s not).

Sounds like you answered your own question.

 

[JH69]

This is for the OP, I fully understand your queries, however your chosen supplier should be specifying the inverter for you and explaining the reasons why.
There are many you could use, and also some can be set with different options to minimise the shading issues that you have.
So my advise would be to choose a supplier that understands how inverters really work, just one example would be how optitrack works on an SMA, and would you benefit from using this facility on your installation.

Without surveying your house it really is impossible to suggest which inverter would perform the best, although for different reasons many have their favourites.

I hope this helps.

Ps Most, not all but most DNO's require a maximum output of 16A, which is 3.68 KW without having prior permission to connect to the grid, some inverters are supplied this way(G83 approved), and some can be set to this.

Thanks Earthstore,

To be fair to the installer, I approached him to enquire about pricing for a SolarEdge system, and to ask how it would compare to SMA (as I’d had other quotes for SMA systems).

He’s had a look at the house, and listened to my thoughts and proposed an SMA system with 10 panels in one string, and 5 panels in another. The 5 panel string will cover the area that will get some shading to minimise the effect of it.

He’s said DNO approval won’t be a problem, but I asked him to quote for both the 4000 and 3600 so I could compare the difference in price.

I’m leaning towards the SMA system, but I’m undecided on which out of the two inverters to go for. This thread was about ensuring my thoughts were on the right track.

 

[Earthstore]

The only thing about putting 5 panels on one tracker is it may be doubtful if it would have enough voltage to kick a 4000TL inverter in IE 5x30V=150V, Of course it depends on the orientation of both arrays.
So it depends on the panel voltage really, and total system design.

 

[JH69]

The only thing about putting 5 panels on one tracker is it may be doubtful if it would have enough voltage to kick a 4000TL inverter in IE 5x30V=150V, Of course it depends on the orientation of both arrays.
So it depends on the panel voltage really, and total system design.

Both arrays would have the same orientation. Basically all south facing on the same roof.

 

[Somecamel]

I Thought SMA inverters couldn't handle uneven strings, I tend to use the Powerone 3.6 which is a lot more versatile

 

[SibertSolar]

Uneven strings are fine, so long as they are on different/independant MPP trackers.

 

[Somecamel]

Uneven strings are fine, so long as they are on different/independant MPP trackers.

I stand corrected then Is this just on the 4000TL I assume or does the 3600 do it as well?

 

[JH69]

Uneven strings are fine, so long as they are on different/independant MPP trackers.

Sunny Design seems to default to uneven strings (10 and 5). Anyone know why this is? What are the considerations when deciding how to spilt panels over 2 strings?

 

[SolarCity]

I can't be sure but I would say that this is due to the fact that one of the strings will be running at a higher voltage and will therefore start up earlier - although I would say that the actual benefit would be minimal.

Far better would be to consider the shading (however small) and adjust to suit.

 

[wstevew]

Yingli panda 265w are 31v

4000TL default startup voltage is 150w (can be dropped to 125)

Mppt input range 175 -500v per string.

Voltage out of tracker range?

 

[sedgy34]

Power one for me 2 individual strings on trackers
string of 10 no problem the 5 may be under voltage though would need to run through the design