Inverter in the Loft?

[FB.]

How well do solarPV inverters cope with being in a typical loft?

What do you think about locating inverters in the loft?

Have you noticed an inverter having to reduce its power output to allow itself to cool?
Or will we have to wait and see how last autumn's rush of installations performs - assuming summer actually arrives this year.

My inverter was fitted in a chilly downstairs utility room (usually several degrees cooler than the house; typically 10-20'C depending on the time of year), although two companies which gave me a guideline quote wanted to fit the inverter in the loft (SB 3000HF-30 and Fronius IG), while another company suggested a PVI 3.6 OUTD in the loft but preferred a PVI 3600 in the utility room (which was also my preferred option).

I would be interested to hear your views - and a relative of mine who is thinking about PV would, I'm sure, be interested too.

Thanks,
F

 

[moggy1968]

All other things being equal I'll avoid the loft if I can. Some inverters have lower heat tolerance than others (it's in the spec) but either of those inverters should be fine as long as you haven't got solar thermal heatsinking to a rad up there!

 

[LightGEN]

Our prefered location for an inverter is somewhere other than the loft, besides the heat issue, should it be necessary to excahnge the inverter in the future, it's not an easy device for one person to move from a loft. I doubt the kind of temperatures we experiance in the UK will have any day to day effect on an inverter, however, over the long term it's possible that the electroytic capacitors will dry out a little more quickly, causing the inverter to fail a little earlier than it might otherwise...that said, it would take quite some effort to prove that.

 

[Gavin A]

mostly depends on how well ventilated the loft is, what the access is like, how dusty it is, how much of the roof is covered in panels etc.

all other things being equal, we'd generally prefer to locate it somewhere else, but this is often not the case, and as long as the access and ventilation are ok we'll install in lofts as long as the customer is happy to give the inverter heat fins a dust every year or 2.

We've often put additional ventilation in around the inverter to reduce the long term heat impact on the capacitor lifespan, but this isn't always necessary (we also seem to be finding many lofts that have had additional insulation put in haven't had sufficient ventilation anyway, so there are signs of mould beginning to form on the rafters as a result, so adding ventilation is a must in these situations anyway).

 

[moggy1968]

we also reccomend installing a smoke alarm in the loft if the inverter is up there.

 

[SolarCity]

We very rarely mount in a loft. We prefer garage, then outdoors (perhaps in an alleyway), a utility and loft as last option.

 

[brightasaspark]

My Inverter a SMA SB 4000TL is loft fitted but hopefully ventilation will be good enough to keep things happy if and when the warmer days come. I have already used the MF relay for “Self Consumption” so I cannot use for as an aux fan controller.
However if I do see problems emerging my thoughts were to fit a room stat/timer to drive a cheapo pedestal or desk-top fan directed at the Inverter.Should prove to be no cost option to run as surplus electricity should be coincident with heat of the day.
Good idea to fit a smoke detector near the inverter so thanks to "Moggy1968" for that .

 

[sedgy34]

most have ip rating can go outside

 

[pwboston]

The inverters in the loft the SMA one for instance have an operating temperature range of upto 60deg.

Although your loft gets warm, go and sit in a sauna or steam room which is usually around 60 degrees and you should find that is much hotter than your loft will get.

As Moggy states stick a smoke detector in the loft space as that is quite common practice whilst siting these in the loft, and put a thermometer in there and see for your self what temperature it gets to.

 

[Earthstore]

We all have different opinions as to where to site inverters, and they all have valid reasons.
My opinion, for what it is worth, is to try and keep the unprotected (no trips)DC runs as safe as possible, (this has been covered many times before) so if they are short and in the loft, they are more out of harms way, and should there ever be a fire, safer for the firemen also.
Inverters can operate fine in the temperatures that we get in lofts in the UK, but I do accept that they may work marginally better if located in a cooler position.
So I guess it is a question of safety over performance, and personal preference as to which you see as the most important.
There is no right or wrong.

 

[Scobo]

Ours is in the loft and (touch wood) haven't had any issues so far although we've yet to experience the higher temps of summer.
Was probably the best option for us as we don't have a lot of space elsewhere in the house.