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Solar PV Inverter - what are the "Irish Settings"

  • 16-07-2019 12:13am
    #1
    championc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,054 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    Can someone please confirm as to what the Irish Settings are that an Inverter must have to be "Compliant" in Ireland


Comments

  • #2
    freddyuk
    Registered Users Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭freddyuk


    https://www.esbnetworks.ie/docs/default-source/publications/conditions-governing-connection-and-operation-of-micro-generation-policy.pdf?sfvrsn=ad5c33f0_8


    Your inverter will need a certificate from the manufacturer confirming these settings are active as they are specific to Ireland for some unknown reason. The installer will normally tell you the inverter is fine but often they will not actually supply the certificate which is what you need for your application to Networks. If the inverter is simply compliant with EN50438 then it is not going to be OK. If they submit the paperwork on your behalf you risk being shut down if the system is not compliant.


  • #3
    n97 mini
    Registered Users Posts: 8,295 ✭✭✭n97 mini


    EN50438 with Ireland specific settings (EN50438 varies slightly from country to country).


  • #4
    championc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,054 ✭✭✭championc


    n97 mini wrote:
    EN50438 with Ireland specific settings (EN50438 varies slightly from country to country).

    My problem was that some inverters have a setup menu where you can pick the country and the relevant settings will be set automatically


  • #5
    quentingargan
    Registered Users Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    championc wrote: »
    My problem was that some inverters have a setup menu where you can pick the country and the relevant settings will be set automatically
    The main difference is in frequencies of the grid at which the inverter must disconnect. Most standards, including EN50438, accept 48hz to 52hz. Ireland only allows up to 50.5hz. And regardless of whether you can SET it to do that, it must have a certificate saying it has been tested in a lab with these standards set.

    The inverter can only work in a range of 207V to 253V, but that is quite normal.

    God knows why ROI has such a strict standard, and curious that we are a single market with NI, where G98 and other more commonly available standards are allowed.

    I've never heard of a credible explanation.


  • #6
    championc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,054 ✭✭✭championc


    Many thanks Quentin


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  • #7
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,068 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    quentingargan wrote: »
    God knows why ROI has such a strict standard, and curious that we are a single market with NI, where G98 and other more commonly available standards are allowed.

    I've never heard of a credible explanation.

    The cynic in me says its just so that they can be difficult and hold back Solar PV adoption, which we all know ESB are against! :(


  • #8
    championc
    Registered Users Posts: 6,054 ✭✭✭championc


    A question if I may - the doc referenced by @freddyuk lists under and over frequency as being Over 52 Hz and Under 47 Hz (as per Section 2.2). Section 6.3 appears to just use 50.5 Hz as an example.

    The way I am reading it, it appears to indicate that the threshold is 0.5% of whatever your value is, once that value is between 47 Hz and 52 Hz - correct ?


  • #9
    quentingargan
    Registered Users Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    championc wrote: »
    A question if I may - the doc referenced by @freddyuk lists under and over frequency as being Over 52 Hz and Under 47 Hz (as per Section 2.2). Section 6.3 appears to just use 50.5 Hz as an example.

    The way I am reading it, it appears to indicate that the threshold is 0.5% of whatever your value is, once that value is between 47 Hz and 52 Hz - correct ?
    Oh - we learn something new every day. I always was guided by the original conditions from 2007 (attached). Maybe they have changed. I will enquire.

    I am not sure if this helps because the international 50438 is 47 to 53hz. So we may still require unique testing to 52hz.


  • #10
    denismc
    Registered Users Posts: 1,382 ✭✭✭denismc


    Just wondering if the special " Irish " settings are still a requirement inverter installations?

    We had a Goodwe inverter installed over 4 years ago but it turns out the installer never completed NC6 form, now I am wondering if our inverter is compliant.

    I can find test certificates for certain Goodwe models but not ours which is a GW2500-NS.

    Any installers out there that might be able to share their wisdom?

    Thanks



  • #11
    con747
    Registered Users Posts: 5,730 ✭✭✭con747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119955310#Comment_119955310

    Not sure if this helps https://it.goodwe.com/images/download/GW_NS_Certificate%20IEC61727%20&%20IEC62116.pdf

    Don't expect anything from life, just be grateful to be alive.



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