Very interesting, I appreciated the detail, especially as I could compare this system with my 8kw, 24 panel Solar edge setup. For info, since last January, 96% of my electrical supply has come from solar!
Looking to use the Cornish Rocker when I get my ground mount array installed, glad to see you use it and get knowledgable with it and the latest SolarEdge gear.👍
Yes have to say many inverters now offer sub 30ms switching so UPS functionality for the home. My Fronius inverter does not have UPS functionality and I have to say on the rare power outages we have I wish it did. Personally I would now not install one that did not give this feature. Think its a real miss by SolarEdge that there new kit is behind some of the competition. @@OvalRenewables
Very nice installation and helpful video. Just wondering why 4x single 6mm2 cable was used when a single twin & earth 16mm2 cable would give greater capacity and cost less.
Very interesting vid.... We have a system at work.... And the change over is about a second. That system seems to take ages. The difference is, we run off solar and battery main then jump onto mains . It can change off grid....
@@OvalRenewables That changeover time is ridiculous, I actually laughed. I have a 8kW Victron system, and the changeover both coming off and going back on the grid is instant, well 20 ms apparently. Computers carry on working (they wouldn't without a UPS on SE, digital clocks may well reset etc), in fact the only way you know is via a notification. I'm pretty sure that generation meter is no longer required, and I hope you fitted a bi-directional one, otherwise it will be measuring battery discharge as generation, and the battery may have been charged from the grid off peak. I also believe SE include battery discharge as yield (other systems do this as well, and its most annoying), so the daily PV generation is incorrect. I have a Victron Quattro 48/10000, my incoming grid connection is diverted through the Quattro, which has the required changeover relays, so I get instant whole house backup. I also have an older SE system, in the event of a grid failure, the Victron can control the SE inverter if too much power is being generated by altering the frequency. Victron gear is expensive, but there is a lot of choice of much cheaper batteries nowadays.
Hi- great video. Could you say something about the dc cabling into the property. Ducting? cable sizing for what must be a variable voltage? inverter @ c80% of max array - what happens to the other 20 % presume the current increases ? many thanks
Why is the switch-over for the SolarEdge back-up interface so slow? There are systems that provide nothing more than a slight flicker (I think you have demonstrated one previously) yet this one takes at least 12 seconds.
Nice video. Are those inverters G99 1-9 version compliant as per the latest ENA:EREC regulation? Have you faced any issues with the DNO when proving compliancy? Thanks
At the time of the video the inverters were compliant with the DNO latest G99 certification. This is always changing and sometimes there is a little lag between the new compliance being applied to the inverter but in general SolarEdge are quite good at keeping the compliance.
Great video and walkthrough, looks like the outside solar panel was made using scaffolding poles !! when using Hybrid Invertors which support 'Island Mode' am i right in thinking that there is no connection to the DNO provided Earth at all? is there any reason why a householder should installed their own Earth Rod and use only this and not the DNO provisions? Will the controller allow you to run off batteries or Solar without an AC Input to run off grid indefinitely?
You will require an earth rod but you still connect the home’s main earth to the system. This keeps all the earth bonding in place during the power outage. I can’t see why the system couldn’t be in off grid more indefinitely but we have never tried it. They home would also be limited to 5/6kw peak consumption however as the inverter would be their main power source
It's not scaffold, its very similar, Google Key Clamps, although you could use scaffold, it wouldn't look so neat. On the Victron system I think the earth remains connected in a grid failure, but you can't rely on it as the cable may have been completely severed, hence you need a earth rod. If you have whole house backup then you could run off grid (within the limitation of the inverter power), but only until you run out of battery, in the summer you'll likely be fine, but in the winter in the UK, no chance unless you have an alternative generation source than solar.
Great video. I wonder, what would happen if the customer was having a 9.5kW shower at the time of power outage. With the 8kW inverter exceeding its maximum load output, would the inverter trip out?
Are you the one who designed this system??? It's amazing MAN !!! Please, could you provide me the measurements and installation method in detail? i want to make this to my home PLEASE !
I wish I could take credit for the design but it’s a system called the Cornish rocker. If you would like we can take a look at installing a system like this for you?
Hi Graham, We use Easy MCS but to be honest they are all a bit rubbish so we may end up using our own version as you dont 100% have to use easy MCS or Paperclip.
@@OvalRenewables Thanks for the prompt response. It will be a missed opportunity if they don't have a true UPS mode. Most cheaper Chinese options (e.g. Huawei, Goodwe, Sungrow, Sunsynk etc) offer that already.
@@adon8672 So does Victron, less than 20 milliseconds, its not even noticeable, I can switch my grid off, computers carry on working, lights don't even flicker, just my phone pings.
Hi Sam, just out of interest, how much more power would be generated in winter if panels fixed at say 30 degrees were able to be tilted to 60 degrees? I’m guessing that it must be substantial to make it cost effective. Cheers Keep up the good work!
You could maybe double your output, albeit from a low level in winter - 24 panels at the right angle could give you 4kw on a winters day, the savings are to be made in the summer, if you can export
On a roof fixed at 20 degrees, you don’t get snow off for days or weeks during the winter, so power output can be 10 to 100 times higher at 60 degrees in winter without snow covering the panels.
Thanks for the comment. It’s not critical that it is changed this system just gives them the option. It only take about 1 minute to change each section so it’s nice and easy. If they don’t change it then it will still generate. You can’t get tracker systems that would move automatically but they are a lot more expensive.
Interesting, exactly they sort of thing I'd like here, either that or a small Wind turbine... It's a shame wind power isn't as straightforward as solar! 🙂
nice set up of the solar panels. Did you ever consider Bi-facial glass-glass panels? And another thing: could snow accumulate at those optimizers when tilted at 60 degrees in winter? Or are those weather proof enough?
Thanks! No we didn’t the cost of them would outweigh any benefit in my opinion but would be an interesting one! From memory the optimisers are IP67 so if snow did gather on it then it would be fine until it melted.
Wonder if Cornish Rocker mounts can handle wind? Great video
We have had some crazy winds in this area and it has held extremely firm.
Very interesting, I appreciated the detail, especially as I could compare this system with my 8kw, 24 panel Solar edge setup. For info, since last January, 96% of my electrical supply has come from solar!
Very well explained by a master of the electronic involved, well done
Thank you!
Looking to use the Cornish Rocker when I get my ground mount array installed, glad to see you use it and get knowledgable with it and the latest SolarEdge gear.👍
Great! If you need a solar company to hook it all up then you know where we are!
They appear to be using standard Key Clamp or similar components, great idea, and readily available parts, may be some custom parts though.
Another great video, really like the end to end system reviews 👍
Thanks! 👍
Nice install. The switchover took some 12seconds. Why is that?
Other systems are so fast you can’t tell.
I’m not 100% sure why it takes that long but we may investigate this with SolarEdge and report back!
Yes have to say many inverters now offer sub 30ms switching so UPS functionality for the home. My Fronius inverter does not have UPS functionality and I have to say on the rare power outages we have I wish it did. Personally I would now not install one that did not give this feature. Think its a real miss by SolarEdge that there new kit is behind some of the competition. @@OvalRenewables
Great Installation and great video.
What size panels did you use
These were perlight 430w I believe. 1722 x 1134mm
Very nice installation and helpful video. Just wondering why 4x single 6mm2 cable was used when a single twin & earth 16mm2 cable would give greater capacity and cost less.
Would the notification have been delayed as the Solar Edge would use the home broadband, so needed to wait for the router to boot and connect?
Yes that is what we discovered 👍
Very interesting vid....
We have a system at work....
And the change over is about a second.
That system seems to take ages.
The difference is, we run off solar and battery main then jump onto mains .
It can change off grid....
I’m not 100% sure why it takes that long but we may investigate this with SolarEdge and report back!
@@OvalRenewables That changeover time is ridiculous, I actually laughed. I have a 8kW Victron system, and the changeover both coming off and going back on the grid is instant, well 20 ms apparently. Computers carry on working (they wouldn't without a UPS on SE, digital clocks may well reset etc), in fact the only way you know is via a notification. I'm pretty sure that generation meter is no longer required, and I hope you fitted a bi-directional one, otherwise it will be measuring battery discharge as generation, and the battery may have been charged from the grid off peak. I also believe SE include battery discharge as yield (other systems do this as well, and its most annoying), so the daily PV generation is incorrect. I have a Victron Quattro 48/10000, my incoming grid connection is diverted through the Quattro, which has the required changeover relays, so I get instant whole house backup. I also have an older SE system, in the event of a grid failure, the Victron can control the SE inverter if too much power is being generated by altering the frequency. Victron gear is expensive, but there is a lot of choice of much cheaper batteries nowadays.
Be interesting to see if this customer gets additional generation courtesy of the cornish rocker!
Agreed. We are very interested to see how it goes!
Great video as usual
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi- great video. Could you say something about the dc cabling into the property. Ducting? cable sizing for what must be a variable voltage? inverter @ c80% of max array - what happens to the other 20 % presume the current increases ? many thanks
Why is the switch-over for the SolarEdge back-up interface so slow? There are systems that provide nothing more than a slight flicker (I think you have demonstrated one previously) yet this one takes at least 12 seconds.
I’m not 100% sure why it takes that long but we may investigate this with SolarEdge and report back!
Would love to speak with the company and see if there is a system for mounting on a sea container.
I would recommended speaking with a company called sun fixings. Let us know if you need any help.
Exactly what I'm aiming to have installed. Would me having a three phase supply make any difference ?
That’s great news! We would love to help if you are looking for someone. Three phase is fine and will just mean you can have a bigger system!
Super cool
Thank you
Nice video. Are those inverters G99 1-9 version compliant as per the latest ENA:EREC regulation? Have you faced any issues with the DNO when proving compliancy? Thanks
At the time of the video the inverters were compliant with the DNO latest G99 certification. This is always changing and sometimes there is a little lag between the new compliance being applied to the inverter but in general SolarEdge are quite good at keeping the compliance.
Great video and walkthrough, looks like the outside solar panel was made using scaffolding poles !! when using Hybrid Invertors which support 'Island Mode' am i right in thinking that there is no connection to the DNO provided Earth at all? is there any reason why a householder should installed their own Earth Rod and use only this and not the DNO provisions? Will the controller allow you to run off batteries or Solar without an AC Input to run off grid indefinitely?
You will require an earth rod but you still connect the home’s main earth to the system. This keeps all the earth bonding in place during the power outage.
I can’t see why the system couldn’t be in off grid more indefinitely but we have never tried it. They home would also be limited to 5/6kw peak consumption however as the inverter would be their main power source
It's not scaffold, its very similar, Google Key Clamps, although you could use scaffold, it wouldn't look so neat. On the Victron system I think the earth remains connected in a grid failure, but you can't rely on it as the cable may have been completely severed, hence you need a earth rod. If you have whole house backup then you could run off grid (within the limitation of the inverter power), but only until you run out of battery, in the summer you'll likely be fine, but in the winter in the UK, no chance unless you have an alternative generation source than solar.
Great video. I wonder, what would happen if the customer was having a 9.5kW shower at the time of power outage. With the 8kW inverter exceeding its maximum load output, would the inverter trip out?
Yes.
How do you lay the dc cable from arrays to the house ? Is it armoured or in a conduit ? I’d love to see how you do that
We used a dual wall duct and then used PV ultra which is a multicore DC cable from Doncaster Cables
@@OvalRenewables thank you !
What do use to seal conduit when it comes out in the field ?
Thx
@21:18 Thanks for detailing what 'off-grid' means.... Again. For the third time, IIRC.
You are welcome. If you send us an email I will explain it further
Are you the one who designed this system???
It's amazing MAN !!!
Please, could you provide me the measurements and installation method in detail? i want to make this to my home PLEASE !
I wish I could take credit for the design but it’s a system called the Cornish rocker. If you would like we can take a look at installing a system like this for you?
Hi sam, going for my mcs, what software do you recommend for the QMS?
Many thanks Graham
Hi Graham, We use Easy MCS but to be honest they are all a bit rubbish so we may end up using our own version as you dont 100% have to use easy MCS or Paperclip.
I thought switching to the backup mode should take less than 10 milliseconds resulting in a slight flicker at worst.
It’s not designed as a true UPS but I will consult SolarEdge and may put out another video with the answer 👍
@@OvalRenewables Thanks for the prompt response. It will be a missed opportunity if they don't have a true UPS mode. Most cheaper Chinese options (e.g. Huawei, Goodwe, Sungrow, Sunsynk etc) offer that already.
@@adon8672 So does Victron, less than 20 milliseconds, its not even noticeable, I can switch my grid off, computers carry on working, lights don't even flicker, just my phone pings.
Hi Sam, just out of interest, how much more power would be generated in winter if panels fixed at say 30 degrees were able to be tilted to 60 degrees? I’m guessing that it must be substantial to make it cost effective.
Cheers
Keep up the good work!
You could maybe double your output, albeit from a low level in winter - 24 panels at the right angle could give you 4kw on a winters day, the savings are to be made in the summer, if you can export
@@EverydayLife621 👍
On a roof fixed at 20 degrees, you don’t get snow off for days or weeks during the winter, so power output can be 10 to 100 times higher at 60 degrees in winter without snow covering the panels.
Found this interesting
Thanks!
Seems alot of work for the customer to change these every month. Can they be automated?
Thanks for the comment. It’s not critical that it is changed this system just gives them the option. It only take about 1 minute to change each section so it’s nice and easy. If they don’t change it then it will still generate. You can’t get tracker systems that would move automatically but they are a lot more expensive.
What was the cost of the system just out of interest
Interesting, exactly they sort of thing I'd like here, either that or a small Wind turbine... It's a shame wind power isn't as straightforward as solar! 🙂
Yes we get a lot of people asking for wind. If you ever need help with a system like this then let us know
nice set up of the solar panels. Did you ever consider Bi-facial glass-glass panels? And another thing: could snow accumulate at those optimizers when tilted at 60 degrees in winter? Or are those weather proof enough?
Thanks! No we didn’t the cost of them would outweigh any benefit in my opinion but would be an interesting one!
From memory the optimisers are IP67 so if snow did gather on it then it would be fine until it melted.
Roof worker should have been hooked up for safety. Very bad example on how not to do this.
This is a ground mounted system…😅
@@OvalRenewables You are correct. comment was for previous video