What happens in case of Power Cut to your Inverter ???

[danesol]

Should you have a Solar PV install and suffer a power cut/failure from the grid when power generation is at its highest - does your system continue to work by self provision or should it go off immediately, is there a safe way with use of say an UPS unit for example to allow the continuation of power generation to your household or is this a no no due to the requirement of the grid - ie no additional live circuit albeit minor ones on the system ??

 

[mdovey]

If the main grid fails, then the inverter will (automatically) stop generating, typically resuming generation about 3 minutes after the main grid power resumes.

If you want to be able to continue to use the generation of the panels or have UPS like features, you need to look at add-ons to the solar installation such as SMA Sunny Backup - this includes the (automatic) switches to completely isolate the internal generators, batteries etc. from the main grid when the main grid fails.

 

[Glynn Fletcher]

I have a 4KW solar panel array and in the future when the power companies decide to have power cuts for certain times ie 4 hours in the daytime in my area I want to be prepared. This I believe will start in a couple of years from now.
I realise that my solar panel will cut out when there is no power from the grid but if I Isolate the mains (grid) coming in and provide a small output petrol generator (800W) that could fool the solar panels into generating up to 4 KW that would run most of my house for the power out time.
Does anyone know if this will work, before I buy the generator.
Glynn

 

[jason121]

Buy some floods lights, like the ones at the football stadium 2000w each. Probably need around 6. That way you can stay in garden for longer and generate free electric. :6:

 

[Gavin A]

Does anyone know if this will work, before I buy the generator.
Glynn

nope.

well, the generator would work, but the solar would go haywire / switch off as it'd have nowhere to send excess generation, voltage would go off the scale and trip out.

 

[MCS Renewables]

Yes, you could make it work but it is more involved than just buying a generator.

You will need all the kit to make an off grid system with high quality (spike free) generator and battery storage, plus immersun to hot water cylinder and other soak up load for over generation and some form of changeover switch, so it would cost a small fortune. It would be an interesting project though.