Solar PV battery options

mp3guy · 24-02-2022 01:11PM

Yeah it's pretty tricky with an AC coupled battery. If you have a hybrid inverter with DC coupled battery it's simple, the inverter has a second dedicated EPS output which you feed into a changeover switch for your whole house, so you're completely isolated from the grid, PV can still power both the house and charge the batteries.

irishchris · 24-02-2022 01:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118685009#Comment_118685009

Exactly how I did mine too, however apart from a 20 minute power cut in last few months I haven't got to test it properly.

I always make sure to turn off the ac isolators first to my inverters also so it's not backfeedings it's own AC and continues on its EPS. Have DC isolators between ground mount panels and inverter and not fireman switch as wasn't an seai install so continue to get pv generation to both house and keeping batteries charged during power cuts. Anyone doing it needs to ensure they have a generator changeover switch installed correctly though so there is no chance of power returning to the grid putting engineers in danger.

mp3guy · 24-02-2022 02:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118685245#Comment_118685245

It shouldn't backfeed if correctly setup it, the mechanism it has for reading the grid (either MODBUS meter or CT clamp) should be ahead of your changeover switch so it can read it regardless of which source the switch is set to. The real reason to flick the main AC isolator on your inverter is that if the grid comes back, your inverter will likely switch off EPS output automatically, giving you a potentially inconvenient power cut.

My panel DC "fireman switches" are on the circuit after the changeover, so regardless of whether power comes from grid or EPS, they will function automatically. And yes before anyone asks or wants to get smart, SEAI did send someone out to do an in-depth test with all of this.

slave1 · 24-02-2022 03:09PM

With current energy prices and movement to EVs etc, the likes of ESB are going to have to get with the program as more and more folk move to multiple inverters and large battery storage all grid tied.

Because of the Karens of this world folk will also be shy on sharing due to backlash. I'm going 15kWp but that's it, no more info, no pictures, no guidance etc because last time I shared a photo of setup it was "this is wrong" "that's not right" etc comments. Good luck with that

So 15kWp, 20.5kWh batteries, 140kWh batteries on the driveway, hopefully PV powered for 6 months of the year

harderthanf · 24-02-2022 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118685679#Comment_118685679

So, the EPS feeds back into the consumer unit, powering the fireman switch and allowing the PV to generate power?

The CT clamp in on the mains in (before the meter, incoming) and this detects AC coming from the grid. As long as this isn't detected, the inverter won't push power back to the grid, is this correct?

mp3guy · 24-02-2022 03:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118686011#Comment_118686011

Yes that's right.

As long as the inverter sees no power on the supply from ESB meter, it will only output from its EPS AC output, not the main grid-tied AC output.

graememk · 01-03-2022 08:18PM

Planning a "phase 3" of solar here, expanding Dad's array and for reasons we are going to swap out the me3000 for a hybrid inverter.

So all going well I'll have a me3000 for sale in April/may time if anyone's interested.

bullit_dodger · 01-03-2022 08:32PM

I might be keen on that graememk. Let's chat closer to the point. No rush.

Alkers · 03-03-2022 01:56PM

Reading online that a lot of Server Rack Batteries (still LiFePO4) are approaching the same cost as fully DIY systems. Has anyone gone down this route?

Seems like a good way for those not wishing the hassle of a DIY route.

SD_DRACULA · 03-03-2022 03:02PM

Yeah I was thinking about this myself, however if you look at any of those batteries that your man Will reviews on youtube they actually don't come anywhere near the same cost.

Hard to beat 20kwh pack for around 3k as I would very much prefer the rack mounted ones myself.

Alkers · 03-03-2022 05:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118726372#Comment_118726372

Yeah I can't seem to find an EU supplier really.

SD_DRACULA · 03-03-2022 07:24PM

The Aobo one seems very good value and they work with Solis but no luck finding anyone in Europe that stock them.

Two of these 10kwh powerwalls would do the trick but by the time you factor in shipping/customs, probably not so much.

Alkers · 03-03-2022 11:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118727726#Comment_118727726

I LOLed at 0.0% of deliveries on time.

Seriously though, that's exactly what I'd be after

shanemc30 · 04-03-2022 08:47PM

Is this the bms that is needed to work with solis hybrid inverter

https://www.seplos.com/sale-13707067-can-bus-rs485-48v-200a-5-500ah-8s-16s-lithium-iron-phosphate-lifepo4-bms-monitoring-system-battery-m.html

LimerickCity · 07-03-2022 08:16AM

Good morning,

Could anyone recommend a low budget battery and installer that would be compatible with a Huawei SUN 200 3KTL L1 inverter. We only have a small 8 panel system producing 2.7kWh but yesterday for example we produced 14 kWh and exported 8.23 kWh. Looking into getting a battery that would take up some of this excess so we can use in the evening or early morning.

The Huawei Luna battery is around 4-5k in value and would take years to pay this off. A guy in the SEAI advised that there are much cheaper batteries in the market and to shop around for same.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

LC

championc · 07-03-2022 11:02AM

Read back a few pages in this thread to get most of your answers. If the Huawei supports Pylontech units, then you can go the DIY Powerwall route with the Seplos BMS

Mr Q · 07-03-2022 01:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118744065#Comment_118744065

I think you are limited to LG HV batteries then. In the region of 6k for a 9.3kWh usable unit.

LimerickCity · 07-03-2022 02:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118745261#Comment_118745261

Cheers mate. I guess that is out of the question then.

Solarwicklow · 07-03-2022 03:48PM

Hi ,got two similar quotes, one set up is with alpha battery 5.25kwp and the second quote is pylontech 4.8kwp,is there a preference here? thank you

The Bull · 07-03-2022 04:39PM

Can anyone recommend any AC coupled batteries ?

I don't plan on getting a hybrid invertor so was looking at AC coupled battery options

or if anyone here has retrofitted an AC coupled battery to there system ?

JimmyVik · 08-03-2022 06:06PM

Bit of a strange question here, but are these batteries silent. Is there any sort of hum off them?

Asking as would be mounting them on a gable wall over a bedroom.

championc · 08-03-2022 08:05PM

AC Coupled best option is the Sofar ME3000SP. Perfect with a DIY AliExpress cells linked to a Seplos BMS

The ME3000 is certainly silent

reklamos · 08-03-2022 09:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118752700#Comment_118752700

All the batteries I've seen so far do not have any moving parts and are silent.

Alkers · 09-03-2022 12:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118753422#Comment_118753422

About £750 UK price, do you know of an Irish (or EU) supplier.

How much more would a 5kWh or even 10kWh DIY battery come to on top?

championc · 09-03-2022 12:26AM

10kW delivered to your door is around €1300. Search AliExpress for "CALB 200ah 16pcs". It will take off 20% at the checkout. Only buy from PWOD or OYE.

The Seplos BMS will be about a further €300

The Bull · 09-03-2022 11:31AM

I see Midsummer in the uk are doing a combo on the Sofar ME3000SP & Sofar Amass GTX2000 including clamps and comms and power cables. link below. Will I still need to get the Seplos BMS separate? The 2.4 Kw system comes in at £1887.64 (including Delivery £78.00 and VAT £314.60) and the 4.8 Kw system comes in at £2784.60 (including Delivery £78.00 and VAT £464.10). Of course at the above prices u have to get it delivered to the north and collect it as god knows what extra import tax u could be hit with? Is there any wall mounted type battery's like the Sofar Amass GTX2000 or similar on Ailexpress that could be used with the ME3000SP. They look a lot neater looking job instead of the CALB 200ah 16pc but obviously a lot dearer.

https://midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/sofar-storage/sofar-me3000sp-amass-kits

championc · 09-03-2022 12:23PM

The Amass "unit" will be fully shrink wrapped with an onboard BMS.

For the same £2784, you could buy an ME3000 from Midsummer.ie and get 10kW of storage via the AliExpress cells

slave1 · 09-03-2022 04:49PM

When I was buying my ME3000 Midsummer were not selling it, it's on their website but they don't sell it, likely a cut and paste job from their UK website

SD_DRACULA · 09-03-2022 06:01PM

Does anyone know much/have any experience with Dyness batteries?

I might have found a decent deal on their new 5.12kwh rack battery and might grab a few of them 😁

Not much online but I assume they're the same as the pylons basically, also there's a new 4.8kwh us5000 pylon out soon or maybe already out

Jonathan · 09-03-2022 06:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118758667#Comment_118758667

What price are you looking at for the 5kWh Dyness?

Solar PV battery options

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