Will i need approval?

[sam64]

Hi after reading a couple of other threads on here about approval needed for over 3.68kw systems I'm a bit worried. Will this be OK 16x245kw Bisol panels with sunny boy 4000 inverter. Also I am having 14 panels on south west roof and 2 panels on east, will one inverter be OK for this?
Thanks

 

[SolarCity]

You'll not be able to do that with an SB4000TL.

You will also definitely need approval for that. If I were you I would lose the two panels on the east roof and pick a different inverter.

 

[sam64]

Thanks for the reply BiggsSolar, if I drop the 2 panels on east will I still be able to use that inverter? Can I just ask out of curiousity why that inverter is no good for 2 strings and why would I need approval? I thought 4 kw was the max system allowed before approval.

 

[TedM]

Each string needs to have enough voltage from the panels to match the capabilities of the inverter, with each string being a common aspect.

The G83 limit is 16A which is effectively 3.68kW.

 

[sam64]

Hi Ted, thanks for reply. So if I just have the 14 panels, will I be OK with that inverter?

 

[finchy]

You need to be using sunny design, to spec the Inverter and loads!! With out looking at the datasheet it would be dangerous to advice on inverters. I would recommend using sunny design and try the SB3800V.

Good Luck

 

[sam64]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I have had a chat with my electrician and told him what was said on here and he explained that he divides by 9 and it then comes to under 16A. Sorry I dont know what that means but hoping you do! Any thoughts?? And as for the 2 panels on the east he is putting them on the same string as the 14, which I didnt realise.

 

[SolarCity]

Is this your design or your installers? It is a fundamentally bad design and I would suggest that the designer has no idea what they are doing.

 

[sam64]

Hi BiggsSolar, we just wanted the maximum that we could and they said 14 panels was the max that was going to fit on that side of roof (we want the majority on that side as it is slightly south west) and that if we wanted to take up to as near as 4kw we could have the 2 on other side but was our choice. Does the divisable by 9 thing work though so that we are under 16A?

 

[SolarCity]

I don't know what the 'divisible my 9' thing is. It doesn't make any sense to me.

Did your installer inform you that by installing the two panels on the other side it would dramatically affect the performance of the system? Stick to the 14 panels and get an installer that actually cares about the system he installs.

 

[sam64]

I am thinking the same, 14 panels will cut out the complications. I did specifically ask that question about affecting the system and he said no it wouldnt. Anyway thanks for your help.