Solar PV Hints, Tips & Troubleshooting

irishchris · 17-04-2022 10:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118935670#Comment_118935670

Where do you find the version as above when I look in my 6kw Solis 5G inverter is showing version 350025 but with no letters?

Effects · 17-04-2022 10:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118940866#Comment_118940866

I had been wondering about that. My current digital meter is fine. But I presume I'll need a smart meter once the feed in tariff comes around? But I'm not holding my breath on that.

17-04-2022 10:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118940897#Comment_118940897

Forget about the feed in tariff. The smart meter tariffs will wipe it out as they are horribly uncompetitive atm. FIT is a marketing gimmick by some installers. Remember, the FIT is set by the electric companies so they'll just set their unit rate high to catch you on the other side (e.g, Pinergy). There's no point gaining €200 a year in a FIT, but paying multiples of that in higher rates.

Get a day / night meter instead.

Jonathan · 17-04-2022 10:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118940877#Comment_118940877

From what I can determine, the Solis version numbers are in the format XX00YY, where XX is the LCD (HMI) firmware version, and YY is the DSP firmware version. Both are in hexadecimal, so that is why some versions have letters (a-f) in them.

3A0029 is newer than 350025.

irishchris · 17-04-2022 11:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941008#Comment_118941008

cheers will contact solis to update. what solis have you got?

do you find above version on the inverter or in soliscloud?

Effects · 17-04-2022 11:33PM

My meter is already a day/night meter, but I'm just on a standard tariff.

Jonathan · 17-04-2022 11:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941125#Comment_118941125

I've got a RHI-5K-48ES-5G, or a F3 in Solis model speak.

Version number is on the inverter itself (can't remember exactly where from memory, but it is there as separate HMI and DSP versions), but it is also on Solis Cloud (both web and app).

18-04-2022 06:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941195#Comment_118941195

What provider are you with, and what rates are you currently paying?

Effects · 18-04-2022 09:57AM

I switched a few months back to ESB from Energia, as they were offering the best rates at the time. I've have a look at my meter to see what ratio of night day that I use. But obviously my home PV system helps a lot during the summer months.

irishchris · 18-04-2022 11:18AM

Have to commend Solis for been so efficient. Sent email at about 11.30pm last night to upgrade my inverter firmware and received email at 9.30am today confirming it was done

SD_DRACULA · 18-04-2022 11:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942284#Comment_118942284

To euservice@solisinverters.com?

Sent at least 3 emails in the last month asking for the same.

They must have me blacklisted so.

irishchris · 18-04-2022 11:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942290#Comment_118942290

I had asked them a couple months back to downgrade my firmware and they sent few messages back advising against it but in end didn't do it. This time was fine straight away but upgrading.

Yep the euservice@solisinverters.com is the email address. Worth sending another email address today and requesting the specific firmware 3A0029.

Not sure if it is bank holiday so different team dealing with it?

SD_DRACULA · 18-04-2022 11:45AM

Yeah sent them one today asking for that FW already, also CCed my installer and one of their engineers directly so hopefully they will.

irishchris · 18-04-2022 11:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942381#Comment_118942381

I also used a different email address than the usual one I use as they hadn't responded few months back to my last email. It was unintentional but maybe might help. I'm just hoping it resolves the issue a bit that I'm having with bad battery balancing and using constant grid

irishchris · 18-04-2022 12:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942381#Comment_118942381

I went out to check inverter since update and Solis have added at least 6 or 7 batteries that I never heard of before so good to see addition of these with firmware updates. Thankfully aobo is still there for my self build battery.

Although the questioning of some of the manufacturers names for batteries leaves a lot to be desired 😁

yankinlk · 18-04-2022 05:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942323#Comment_118942323

What details did you give them? Just serial number?

irishchris · 18-04-2022 06:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943611#Comment_118943611

Yep just gave my serial number and told them the version I wanted it upgraded to

S' · 21-04-2022 09:20AM

Hi all, does your inverter stay powered up at night?

Since install (dec 21') it always has. Is there a setting that needs to be changed? Solis 6kW

SD_DRACULA · 21-04-2022 09:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943657#Comment_118943657

They never replied to my emails but I called them up instead and in 30 mins they got the FW updated for me.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118954983#Comment_118954983

This is normal, and if it were to turn off you wouldn't log any of the power usage in those times, like what you're using/pulling from grid/etc.

hick · 21-04-2022 11:01AM

Hi all, 2 questions if you don't mind!

First is, does anyone with a heat pump use an Eddi for hot water diversion. I'm seeing conflicting info from installer (don't do it) Myenergi forums (do it). I'm leaning toward not, as the solar will supply the heat pump running efficiently in summer, where as in winter it will be running off batteries most likely anyway. Appreciate any real world view (I'll have 5kW PV and 10kW batts soon)

Second question, has anyone come across any decent modelling software like the installers use, showing the expected generation through the year with configuration. I'm searching but maybe using the wrong terms as not much useful results coming up.

Thanks in advance!

bullit_dodger · 21-04-2022 11:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118955456#Comment_118955456

I don't have a heatpump so perhaps not take my musings as definitive, but it would depend a little on what your plumbing configuration is. Solar is great in the summer, there is an abundance of electrical generation, and on days like today you will be able to divert the excess that you have into the immersion rather than pushing to the grid, and on days like today, your heat pump is unlikely to be on right? A little depends on how your HP is integrated into your house, for example do you have an actual immersion tank, etc. But if you do then no reason I can see what you can't have an Eddi (remember the EDDI will ONLY activate when you have "excess exporting" to the grid, so the question you have about the battery is somewhat moot as it's not "excess")
https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/#PVP%20that's%20the%20calculator%20for%20Europe,

yankinlk · 21-04-2022 12:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943657#Comment_118943657

Thanks! Sent an email last night to euservice@solisinverters.com asking for upgrade. They immediately sent me a logon to register for a support account - and i created a ticket. This morning the job was done before breakfast!

The URL to register with support is: https://solis-service.solisinverters.com/support/home Might be faster to just register here and create a ticket directly!

stimpson · 21-04-2022 05:23PM

Quick question on the Solis Hybrid inverter. I was quoted for a 5kW, but was upgraded to a 6kW as we added a few extra panels. I just checked the settings and it’s reporting as an F6 which seems to be 4kW. The app is reporting it as 6kWp though. Can anyone give any insight?

SD_DRACULA · 21-04-2022 05:24PM

Mine is 6kw and also says F6, wouldn't worry about it as long as you're seeing it push 6kwh.

stimpson · 21-04-2022 05:49PM

It’s topping out at 6.2 but I have a 7.2kW array. Not that I can use it all. I exported 20 kWh yesterday!

mdfire · 21-04-2022 09:12PM

Looking at getting a solar system installed so going through the endless quotes process. My question is, is it worth paying 50 euro a panel to upgrade the warranty on the panels from 15 to 25 years?

yankinlk · 21-04-2022 09:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118958258#Comment_118958258

That is a great question - hopefully a few others chime in. IMHO and I admit i am not a huge fan of paying for "extra warranty" - what company will you be dealing with in 16 years when a panel fails? Will they hop on the roof to service one panel?

I dont see a huge service business for panels - none exists today its all installers right? Imagine 16 years from now! I imagine the tech will also have moved on so unlikely u will be able to get a "like for like" replacement of the panel - and it might not be compatible with older tech at that stage.

bullit_dodger · 21-04-2022 10:11PM

Yeah, 100% agree with you there yankinlk. Companies will go out of business , panel technology will be improved no doubt. even if a panel failed. It's like €200 max for a panel replacement (new). My own thinking if I get 15 years out of mine, and there was some panels there which are say 25% more efficient, I'd be happy to start swapping out my old ones for newer ones then......

I'd be very hesitant also to pay for extended warranty

mdfire · 21-04-2022 10:21PM

Thanks guys, this was way I was leaning but you have just confirmed what i thought.

championc · 21-04-2022 11:15PM

I'll be stunned if I have the same panels on my roof in 15 years

Solar PV Hints, Tips & Troubleshooting

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