As a 5-year Tesla Model 3 owner and retired EE, I've been patiently awaiting the (LiFePO4?) Tesla Powerwall 3 system, but its preliminary specs and pricing are disappointing. Meanwhile, the new (200A@240Vac) Sol-Ark 15K Hybrid Inverter has numerous capabilities and advantages that a Tesla-based ESS lacks, it's become my first choice for a residential solar+battery system.
As BEVs become more commonplace, the need for V2H/V2X capabilities for backup power during grid outages will become more and more compelling (thinking of Texas and California in particular). I sincerely hope that Tesla follows Ford's lead and embraces V2H/V2X (via NACS/CCS) along with the other BEV manufacturers. There are affordable bi-directional dc charger EVSEs under development that could be teamed with a residential ESS like the Sol-Ark 12K/15K Hybrid Inverters (the upcoming Enteligent TLCEV line is one example) to create life-saving (and planet-saving) residential energy storage systems.
Excellent, insightful video James. If you had it to do over again, would you have installed a (newer) Sol-Ark 15K rather than the Sol-Ark 12K? The 200A grid pass-through of the 15K simplifies ESS design, don't you agree? There's a lot to be said for grid-zero systems like this, many US utilities now pay little or nothing for exported residential solar power. The flexibility of the Sol-Ark 12K/15K makes it easy to optimize your residential energy use and minimize your monthly electricity bill. Doubtless that US power utilities will move to hinder or block this capability as they've been doing with net metering. Georgia Power/Southern Company is particularly hostile towards residential solar despite their expensive greenwashing.
Could you do another video on paralleled 15K solarks, preferably at least 4 of them. And detail how the wiring is bussed to and from batteries, and how solar panel strings are connected to each solark, and how incoming and outgoing AC wiring is paralleled to breaker box feed, and if you need any extra protection to prevent over voltage or over current between the solark boxes details are important ie what safety elements should we incorporate into our system design to protect all equipment
JK - Thank you for your feedback, so do have more videos in the works! We do assist all of our customers with any technical assistance they might need and can answer these specific questions.
Thanks for the tour. The SolArk looks like a great choice. Do you recommend a Victron ESS system? Can a Victron Multiplus 2 ESS system even be permitted for grid-tied connection in the US? It has nearly the same features as a SolArk. Thanks
The inverter is outdoor rated. This section of the inverter is designed to see moisture. We've got thousands of these inverters in the field and have yet to hear of an issue with the fans. Thank you for your question!
@@NAZSolarElectric The new 15K fans I think are located near the base of the inverter and blows the air out the bottom of the inverter looking forward to your review on the 15K
@@lindaferguson593 you can email our sales engineers they can get you a quote on specific products or a full system. sales@solar-electric.com. Thank you!
4:43 "... my system can pull energy from the grid panel pass it through the inverter system and to the critical load panel..." Does this imply that there are relays that connects GRID and LOAD to allow power from GRID to passthrough? And in the event of a power failure, inverter disengages this relay and isolate LOAD from GRID?
... and the Sol-Ark 15K supports whole-house 200A grid pass-through (the 12K is limited to 63A), which simplifies system design. It can be connected directly to your grid power meter (a service cutoff switch or breaker is usually recommended).
The closed-loop communication feature sounds nice. Does it work for all lithium batteries or just a certain brand, do you need wifi dongle to enable the feature?
Question: If we connect PV1 to the array, could a DC generator, i.e., Generac PWR generator, be connected to PV2? ( know there is a separate connection for a 240Vac generator.)
I have a problem wherein Utility's power is not stable and fluctuates from 260 down to 170 on an hourly basis. Can I have my house on the LOAD side, and schedule Grid Charge Battery (Time Of Use) but I need GRID be isolated from LOAD.
The inverter system can isolate the home from the grid in the event the power fluctuates below desired/specified values… this is an intrinsic feature of this product. Thanks for the question!
Yes it does. The 12K comes with two 5/8" CT sensors (for 100A) and the 15K comes with two 15/16" CT sensors (for 200A). We also have 2" CT available for 600A. Both 200A and 600A CT can be purchased separately too.
How many 5.3kWh Lifepower server rack batteries can one 15k sol ark manage? Im building a home in colorado thats off grid. I have room for about 20kW of solar on the true south 12/12 pitch standing seam roof. I feel like 60kWh is the right amount for me
@@SolarTechFL thank you I subscribed. Ive seen a few people now suggesting that 19kW is the “max out” of the sol ark 15k but their website says 17kW. Whats the most you’ve connected to one? Any issues?
@rhp2024 This kit that we offer on our website is almost exactly the same as the one featured in this video. Retail value (excluding tax and shipping) is roughly $14,400. www.solar-electric.com/hybrid-off-grid-grid-tie-solar-kit-naz-pytes-sol-ark-004.html
We always recommend speaking with our sales and engineering team directly for technical questions. The Sol-ark data sheet says it can manage 50-9900 Ah of battery so it will depend on which model of that battery. Hope that helps! sales@solar-electric.com
For a quicker response, please give our solar engineers a call (800) 383-0195 or send an email: sales@solar-electric.com. Thank you!
That dump load feature is awesome
You have it on an exterior wall. I didn’t realize that it was suitable for outside installation. That’s useful to know.
This is on an outdoor wall in Flagstaff Arizona which gets quite a bit of snow in winter as well, if that is helpful. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the great INFO looking foward to the future. the Morins in Central Maine
Thank you for the feedback John!
Looking forward to a video on the 15K it cost a about 2 thousand more but the improvements make it worth the price
We are getting ready to film one on the 15K here very soon!
This is a very nice video, and his specific usage is the one which I would probably use.
Glad you found it helpful!
As a 5-year Tesla Model 3 owner and retired EE, I've been patiently awaiting the (LiFePO4?) Tesla Powerwall 3 system, but its preliminary specs and pricing are disappointing. Meanwhile, the new (200A@240Vac) Sol-Ark 15K Hybrid Inverter has numerous capabilities and advantages that a Tesla-based ESS lacks, it's become my first choice for a residential solar+battery system.
As BEVs become more commonplace, the need for V2H/V2X capabilities for backup power during grid outages will become more and more compelling (thinking of Texas and California in particular). I sincerely hope that Tesla follows Ford's lead and embraces V2H/V2X (via NACS/CCS) along with the other BEV manufacturers. There are affordable bi-directional dc charger EVSEs under development that could be teamed with a residential ESS like the Sol-Ark 12K/15K Hybrid Inverters (the upcoming Enteligent TLCEV line is one example) to create life-saving (and planet-saving) residential energy storage systems.
Excellent, insightful video James. If you had it to do over again, would you have installed a (newer) Sol-Ark 15K rather than the Sol-Ark 12K? The 200A grid pass-through of the 15K simplifies ESS design, don't you agree?
There's a lot to be said for grid-zero systems like this, many US utilities now pay little or nothing for exported residential solar power. The flexibility of the Sol-Ark 12K/15K makes it easy to optimize your residential energy use and minimize your monthly electricity bill. Doubtless that US power utilities will move to hinder or block this capability as they've been doing with net metering. Georgia Power/Southern Company is particularly hostile towards residential solar despite their expensive greenwashing.
Could you do another video on paralleled 15K solarks, preferably at least 4 of them.
And detail how the wiring is bussed to and from batteries, and how solar panel strings are connected to each solark, and how incoming and outgoing AC wiring is paralleled to breaker box feed, and if you need any extra protection to prevent over voltage or over current between the solark boxes
details are important
ie what safety elements should we incorporate into our system design
to protect all equipment
JK - Thank you for your feedback, so do have more videos in the works! We do assist all of our customers with any technical assistance they might need and can answer these specific questions.
Thanks for the tour. The SolArk looks like a great choice. Do you recommend a Victron ESS system? Can a Victron Multiplus 2 ESS system even be permitted for grid-tied connection in the US? It has nearly the same features as a SolArk. Thanks
Great info thx
With those fans on the side of the Sol-Ark, seems like a driving rain would soak them??
The inverter is outdoor rated. This section of the inverter is designed to see moisture. We've got thousands of these inverters in the field and have yet to hear of an issue with the fans. Thank you for your question!
@@NAZSolarElectric The new 15K fans I think are located near the base of the inverter and blows the air out the bottom of the inverter looking forward to your review on the 15K
Price?
@@lindaferguson593 you can email our sales engineers they can get you a quote on specific products or a full system. sales@solar-electric.com. Thank you!
4:43 "... my system can pull energy from the grid panel pass it through the inverter system and to the critical load panel..."
Does this imply that there are relays that connects GRID and LOAD to allow power from GRID to passthrough?
And in the event of a power failure, inverter disengages this relay and isolate LOAD from GRID?
Yes this is exactly how this works. - Thank you for the question!
... and the Sol-Ark 15K supports whole-house 200A grid pass-through (the 12K is limited to 63A), which simplifies system design. It can be connected directly to your grid power meter (a service cutoff switch or breaker is usually recommended).
The closed-loop communication feature sounds nice. Does it work for all lithium batteries or just a certain brand, do you need wifi dongle to enable the feature?
In the video you mentioned battery backup, how did you size the battery backup and how much and what kind of batteries do you have?
Question: If we connect PV1 to the array, could a DC generator, i.e., Generac PWR generator, be connected to PV2? ( know there is a separate connection for a 240Vac generator.)
It has a Gen input breaker, must be a 240V. I have 10kW Generac and works well.
Not with the current manufacturer support. This inverter system only supports AC generator connectivity.
I have a problem wherein Utility's power is not stable and fluctuates from 260 down to 170 on an hourly basis.
Can I have my house on the LOAD side, and schedule Grid Charge Battery (Time Of Use) but I need GRID be isolated from LOAD.
The inverter system can isolate the home from the grid in the event the power fluctuates below desired/specified values… this is an intrinsic feature of this product. Thanks for the question!
Can you comment as to why you replaced the Outback Skybox outside just adding more kW?
The Sol-Ark is much more practical for our needs long term. If you want more details as to why, feel free to give me a call.
Does the unit come with CT clamps to measure the power coming in off the grid the limit the power going out?
Yes it does. The 12K comes with two 5/8" CT sensors (for 100A) and the 15K comes with two 15/16" CT sensors (for 200A). We also have 2" CT available for 600A. Both 200A and 600A CT can be purchased separately too.
How many 5.3kWh Lifepower server rack batteries can one 15k sol ark manage?
Im building a home in colorado thats off grid. I have room for about 20kW of solar on the true south 12/12 pitch standing seam roof. I feel like 60kWh is the right amount for me
I believe life power recommends 90kwh max in parallel I have done 60 kwhs a few times with them
@@SolarTechFL thank you I subscribed. Ive seen a few people now suggesting that 19kW is the “max out” of the sol ark 15k but their website says 17kW. Whats the most you’ve connected to one? Any issues?
When are the lifepower server rack battery is going to communicate with the Sol-ark? I have 11 of them now. Looking to go to the Sol-ark.
What was total cost of this system
@rhp2024 This kit that we offer on our website is almost exactly the same as the one featured in this video. Retail value (excluding tax and shipping) is roughly $14,400.
www.solar-electric.com/hybrid-off-grid-grid-tie-solar-kit-naz-pytes-sol-ark-004.html
If you are interested in that system give us a call at the number pinned in the comments! We'd tweak it to fit exactly what your needs are.
How many Lifepower server rack batteries can one 15k sol ark manage?
We always recommend speaking with our sales and engineering team directly for technical questions. The Sol-ark data sheet says it can manage 50-9900 Ah of battery so it will depend on which model of that battery. Hope that helps! sales@solar-electric.com
And that's so Lark is weatherproof