Thank you Sol-ark for this increase in production quality on your channel! This was a great video for the masses IMO. Still could use better audio, but heck it's a start. Please keep this similar interview-esk style with vocal interactive questioning (primarily because we'll all have these exact same questions as your presenting) please don't death by power point repeatedly💀👀. Still loving my Sol-ark ❣️ keep up the great work 👍
Another recommendation: Consider a tutorial on installing parallel 15K units. And specifically show how to wire the units to the breaker box, and how to parallel all wiring between batteries, and how to parallel each L1, L2, N, G, between the units, then into the breaker box. thx
Very helpful video! Need one for the 30 or 60 KW. The mirroring body language between the two guys throughout the video is hilarious (both arms crossed or arms behind back).
The new software version has reworded and relocated settings and i am unable to find the Power Factor Q(V) that is mentioned at 20:20. I have the flickering issue with LED lights.
Hi Emmanuel, I recommend calling us at 972-575-8875 or filling out or contact us form for further help: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/ One of our support techs will be able guide you to where that setting has moved
This might be a stupid question but in my state there’s bo benefit to selling back to the grid so is there a way to set this up to not be able to sell back
I need to know when I can order the upcoming 30k inverter with 400a pass through. Just bought 300 acres in CO thats off grid and I want a home shop, well and 80a cybertruck charger
Hello, We're actively working on the collateral to have the 30K available soon. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website for more updates soon. www.sol-ark.com.
I had Sol-Ark 12k installed last year, during installation of the panels I asked if micro inverters would be installed on my panels and I was informed that they were not needed since the inverter provided the protection for the panels is this correct. Thank you
Hi there, Our inverter has protections in place for installations with and without micro inverters, so to answer your question, your installer is correct in saying they are not needed for the inverter to work safely. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us at 972-575-8875 x2 or send us a ticket here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/. Our Engineers would be happy to answer any of your questions.
If AC coupled to the Gen breaker and have a loss of grid and batteries are full, the Sol-Ark will ramp frequency to 62 Hz or whatever was set on Smart Screen tab. When would the Gen breaker open in this scenario?
My Sol-ark 15k currently has no battery. I've gone in to the Battery section and turned all the checkmarks off except "No Battery." Rebooted and everything seems to be running, but there's still a battery icon on the main display (nothing going in or out of it) with 19.2V next to it (which changes). Is that normal? Any idea why it would display that? The Battery tab is populated with some kind of information (default). But, again, only the No Battery box is checked. The big problem, though, is that I get periodic (every couple of days) Error 56 - DC_VoltLow_Fault errors: Batteries are overly discharged, the inverter is Off-Grid and exceeded the programmed batt discharge current by 20%, or Lithium BMS has shut down. If battery settings are incorrect, this can also happen. That shuts down my entire house as the 15k reboots. Sol-Ark technical support has no solution except "add a battery."
Apologies for that inconvenience. I suggest re-engaging with technical support, especially via support ticket. We provide all of our support in house out of our Allen TX HQ, and there are managers that unresolved issues can be escalated to. Mention it is an ongoing issue when you fill out the support ticket here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
Hi Chris, Yes you can! To switch the inverter time to military time, go to Basic Setup --> Time and deselect AM/PM. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to our team of solar engineers here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
So for a strictly off grid system does it makes sense to buy a Deye? Or is it make sense to buy a low frequency inverter charger for a off grid system? Thanks
@@charleshorseman55 its a challenge to get all settings available locally without requiring internet for programming/commissioning. at some point it becomes easier to review settings within the online monitoring portal. this video is a bit old, we do keep more updated training assets within our training portal at training.sol-ark.com
Typically all-in-ones also have an indoor panel on site. The 15k would backup the indoor panel. The outdoor "combo" loads could be relocated to a 100A subpanel outside the home, and then landed on the GEN port to also get access to the backup power (essentially abandoning the "combo" part of the existing meter base). One advantage is the outdoor loads could then be load shed during a power outage at low battery states of charge.
Hi Tam, While I am not sure of the exact value, our engineers may have the answer for you. Feel free to call us at 972-575-8875 Ext. 2 or contact us here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
I can’t find clear instructions about generator install in my case 2 12K in series , auto transfer switch, with battery , and how the inverter able to manage the load when grid is out , the manual is not clear enough for me, since here in Mexico baja sur we don’t have great installers , thanks
You can just put a whole home generac 22kw on the grid side with ATS then solark. When grid goes down, Solar rapid shut down goes in effect until generator starts up and creates micro grid. Once it’s starts, then solark kicks on and works with the generator. Your “load side” output on the solark does not shut down when grid power goes down, providing you have either solar active or batteries to cover. That’s how I setup whole home gens. Now, you can also connect in to the gen input, but that requires two wire genset and generator only comes on to charge batteries. I think from how you asked your question you’re looking for the whole home. Layout - Meter-ATS-then your ATS back side goes to your house panels which is where you tie in solark. Note- if you do a 15k it can negate the ATS and is a different setup, but could also do this way described above as well.
Looking at the 15K. We are grid tied and want a zero export system to take advantage of dirt cheap off peak power. The utility requires the inverter to be disconnected while we would be using solar and batteries....how would we set that up? Thank you
Probably already answered but have been reading online that I can connect A/C coupling (Enphase Micro-Inverters) to the Sol Ark 5K and 8K only up to 3KW but the specs from Sol-Ark say 9.6KW for AC Coupling. My solar array is all with Enphase Micro Inverters. Really interested in using a Sol-Ark 8K with the HomeGrid Stack'd Battery. Recommend YES NO?
Both the 5k. and the 8k say 9.6kw A/C coupling but a couple of installer videos keep saying they are limited to 3KW. Sol-Ark states in their video that the 15k has a A/C coupling limit of 19.KW. Just need to be really sure because all my panels have micro inverters and I want to install a HomeGrid Stack’d battery.
Hi everybody! I would like to know if it is possible to make a translator systeme, like convert the conversation to French for user, like SMA SOLAR ACADEMY, Outback Power and Schneider (XW series) do that. Think for your understanding! If I can have if it is possible the French manuel
Would like to see a more in depth video on AC coupling while also having whole home gen with 15k. AC couple on the gen input as well as on the “load” side if possible, not grid side.
Often batteries are in 5kwh increments so 15. You can charge them with a single Sol-Ark 15k and you can put 20kW of solar on a single Sol-Ark 15k as well.
Will SolArk ever release the 15k for Australian market that is Clean Energy approved? I am quite disappointed by the choice of inverters available in Australia and would happily install a SolArk if legally allowed.
Hi Dylan, Unfortunately, we don't currently have plans of expanding to Australia, although we do have 1 or 2 inverters in Australia working in an off-grid installation. If we do ever decide to enter the Australian market, I'm sure we'll make an announcement on our company newsletter: www.sol-ark.com/ or on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/solarksolar/
Is there an onsite course I could take with you before moving forward with an installation at my home? I will take the required electronics and electrical classes to understand many of the primary electrical foundations.
Thanks for the video! (others have commented on the audio so I won't). have two questions: First question: On the 19.2kW AC coupling limit. Is that doubled if you have two sol-ark 15k's in parallel ? Or is it a global limit? For example, if I have two sol-ark 15k's operating in parallel, split-phase (north america normal), does that allow me to put up to 38kW worth of ac-coupled (enphase) panels up? Second question: In terms of grid-export in situations where the solar is AC-coupled, the battery is full, the solar is producing way more than the house needs, the grid is up, and the grid-export limit would be exceeded, what does the sol-ark do? It can't adjust the frequency since the grid is up so it is unclear how the sol-ark reacts to that. (secondarily, does that mean I should also in addition to the sol-ark setup, install the enphase grid monitoring / export-limit feature too that uses comms to direct the enphase units to reduce power?). Thanks! -Matt
Both the 5k. and the 8k say 9.6kw A/C coupling but a couple of installer videos keep saying they are limited to 3KW. Sol-Ark states in their video that the 15k has a a/C coupling limit of 19.KW. Just need to be really sure because all my panels have micro inverters and I want to install a HomeGrid Stack’d battery.
@@kayjet64 Yes. The inverter's AC coupling limit is basically a function of its battery charging and discharging/inverter capabilities. When the grid is down, it has to be able to handle the full AC coupled panel output for roughly 30 seconds or so while it adjusts the frequency, to prevent the micro inverters from shutting down due to thinking that they have islanded. So for that parameter there is a maximum the inverter can handle, but the actual limit is more likely governed by the current capabilities of the battery conbnected to it. Whichever is lower. The grid's export limit is a different parameter based on 20% of your utility service size. This doesn't count any AC consumed by the battery charger or the home, but you generally have to assume that the batteries might be full and the house might not be using power at some given moment.
Scenario. 8k Sol-Ark. I have 6KW A/C coupled grid tied Enphase. There should be no issue with the 3kw limit because whats not consumed (home load and Bsttery charging) will go back to the utility as credit (Net Metering). Issue would be when i’m off grid which is logical. ^kw A/C couple if there is no home load and the batteries are charged then it will be clicked until there is enough load to startup again.
@@kayjet64 Yes, 6kW is small enough that there should be no issue on the utility side if you have a 200A utility service. If you have a 100A utility service there might be an issue with the 4.8kW backfeed limit. On the other-hand, there might not be an issue even with the 4.8kW backfeed limit if your panels never produce that much. It sounds like you are in the clear there. -- To handle a grid-down situation, normally the Sol-Ark is set to not charge the batteries completely full... usually just to 90%. That way it can sink power by charging the batteries when A/C coupled solar output is greater than the home load for the roughly 30-60 seconds required to servo the micro-inverters to match the load. This is where things get a little confusing. There are two standards... UL-1741 and UL-1741-SA. UL-1741 is the old standard and all it could do was turn the micro-inverters on or off using the line frequency. In a grid-down situation, this is not ideal to say the least. UL-1741-SA is the new standard which is able to actually servo the micro-inverter output using the frequency when in a grid-down situation. This allows the inverter (e.g. the Sol-Ark) to match the solar output to the load. However, since it takes 30-60 seconds to do this, the Sol-Ark still needs to use the batteries to handle slack in either direction. So the best absolute setup is when both the micro-inverters and the inverter support the newer UL-1741-SA standard. Meaning, generally, newer enphase inverters and the latest firmware for the Sol-Ark. You will have to double-check that everything you have supports the standard. And then lastly, AC-coupled solar can't self-bootstrap (I think I mentioned this before). It needs a live circuit. Meaning that if the batteries are depleted overnight in a grid-down situation, the system will not be able to turn on in the morning the next day if the grid is still down. The solution here is to always have some DC-coupled solar so the sol-ark can charge the batteries up to their start SOC (5% or 10%) in the morning, turn-on, and thus bootstrap all the rest of the AC-coupled solar.
Arlington, WA, was the solar capital of USA but not so much anymore as it’s become big business and spread. Arlington was home to Trace Engineering, Xantrex, Outback, Magnum, and Midnite. That area and Boeing attracted a lot of engineers.
We're not too far from Arlington, TX :^P The industry is standing on the shoulders of Trace's industry contributions and many others. We do what we can to push innovation forward.
I love all the features your product provides but cannot handle larger loads like some of your competition. Can you please comment why the Sol-Ark isnt even able to handle its rated load? ruclips.net/video/pIfehhtZSOc/видео.html and this one here ruclips.net/video/-Ez4cbuy7IQ/видео.html because its is VERY concerning. "very limited and handling large loads" seems like your 12kW unit can only handle a 7K load
I have 2 ea 12 K. I'm totally off grid and have brought in 21,000 W of PV and put out 16,000w to the house. No problems. Keep your loads balanced! Install at least a 40 space 200 amp panel. Install soft starters on your non-inverter PSC compressors and you'll be fine.
I agree that the model name is confusing because 12k isn’t the off grid output. It can handle over 13k of PV input, 12k of PV output and 9k of off grid AC output. And the most important value is 4.8k L-N. Transformer based inverters have a much higher L-N value than transformerless inverters. If you know that going in, you can properly design a system that works as expected. The Sol-Arks I’ve installed are working great and it fills a niche.
I assume balancing the loads, soft starters, needs to be done with the 15kW unit also? What is the upper limit on each leg of the 15kW unit? I know a widow that just had one installed and I have a hunch she might have overcurrent shutdown issues when she turns it on. The guy who installed is is very new at this. His first install. I have not seen inside the main service panel but it’s old and small.
Why there's so many skepticals about solar and Wisconsin is cuz all the people who make the solars don't live in Wisconsin don't have anything in Wisconsin usually and is very little in Wisconsin for a solar insulators there are a few but not very many all of them assumes be out of California and Texas and I think there's some in New York too and you never come down in this area to do anything I mean we do have a couple of them down here but they seem to be more out of state than in this state but I know some of you guys have things that are built here in Wisconsin for you guys maybe not you exactly and maybe not so ark but now generic has a company here in Wisconsin they make generators of different types for solar and for diesel and gas and whatever else not maybe it is at the 6 million people here don't need solar I don't know I know I want solar and I'm not willing to pay for you guys to come down here because I couldn't afford to do that for you to install one or two places just any too costly probably cost just as much as it actually put in solar.
Ok, why do you personally want a low frequency transformer based inverter charger in your system? Are you connected to the grid. Solark seems very user friendly for those connected to the grid. Thanks
@paulbaker3144 I want a hybrid, low frequency, transformer based inverter charger because they provide a much high surge capacity for starting high inductance loads than this high frequency tansformerless design. They're safer because transformer based inverters can inherently block dangerous high voltage, high amperage DC current from passing through to your AC loads, which can damage those loads. And because low frequency inverters typically last far longer than high frequency inverters.
Valid points in general however Sol-Ark has the most high frequency hybrid inverter field experience in the USA and actively maintains and supports its product from its USA HQ. HF has important advantages as well, such as better system efficiency. We also have EMP hardened options as well as EMP hardened battery partners. It's impossible to have everything but Sol-Ark is the most powerful single unit hybrid inverter on the market. 10 year standard warranty with 5 year extended option.
When your trying to sell a 10k ea product, dont release a video thats half assed.. You should know better. How hard would it have been to do another cut! Or is it not worth your time to do it right? You can be mad at me or say ...Hes right.. Your choice.
Hi Mihkel, Apologies for any confusion, but just wanted to clarify that Auto Dim is on by default, but just in case it is disabled by the user, warranty will not be covered for just the screen if it burns out. The chances of a screen burning out are very low, but higher when Auto Dim is off and the Sol-Ark's screen is installed with consistent direct sunlight on it. We appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve, thank you. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact our engineers at 972-575-8875 Ext. 2 or here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
Hi PDS, Thank you for the feedback, we hope to always improve our quality as time goes on and your voice helps us with that process. We hope to bring quality content for educational purposes, such as this video, and marketing purposes as well in the future. If you do ever have any questions that we may not have addressed in our video, feel free to reach out to our engineers at 972-575-8875 Ext.2 or here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
The information on any views of the screens are outdated. Example 20:12 screen the Q(v) does not exist anymore. There is a V(Q) option now.
Do you have a 100% off grid seminar for setup?
getting ready to commisson two 12K systems thanks for the info
Thank you Sol-ark for this increase in production quality on your channel! This was a great video for the masses IMO. Still could use better audio, but heck it's a start. Please keep this similar interview-esk style with vocal interactive questioning (primarily because we'll all have these exact same questions as your presenting) please don't death by power point repeatedly💀👀.
Still loving my Sol-ark ❣️ keep up the great work 👍
Congratulations
Hi, pls consider commission for Offgrid system with no gen.
Another recommendation:
Consider a tutorial on installing parallel 15K units. And specifically show how to wire the units to the breaker box, and how to parallel all wiring between batteries, and how to parallel each L1, L2, N, G, between the units, then into the breaker box.
thx
Hi JK, thank you for the recommendation. We'll certainly consider this recommendation moving forward.
@@Sol-Ark please do this video. I have a 4 ton geothermal unit. 15k isn't enough for my house
Yes, please! I just received two 15Ks. Is the information already available?
Very helpful video! Need one for the 30 or 60 KW. The mirroring body language between the two guys throughout the video is hilarious (both arms crossed or arms behind back).
Adam, make sure you are in our contractor program as we have organized training resources for our commercial product line in our training portal.
The new software version has reworded and relocated settings and i am unable to find the Power Factor Q(V) that is mentioned at 20:20. I have the flickering issue with LED lights.
Hi Emmanuel,
I recommend calling us at 972-575-8875 or filling out or contact us form for further help: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
One of our support techs will be able guide you to where that setting has moved
Thanks great vid!
This was amazing and helped me get a great base on solark installation protocol. Go Solark!
This might be a stupid question but in my state there’s bo benefit to selling back to the grid so is there a way to set this up to not be able to sell back
Yes. You don’t have to sell back. You can limit it to home and it will just cover your loads only and throttle Solar and/or batteries if need be.
I need to know when I can order the upcoming 30k inverter with 400a pass through. Just bought 300 acres in CO thats off grid and I want a home shop, well and 80a cybertruck charger
Hello, We're actively working on the collateral to have the 30K available soon. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website for more updates soon. www.sol-ark.com.
@@Sol-Ark A 30 K inverter ??????? Holy Toledo !!!!!!!
On future videos reduce the gain on your microphone, it is up too high, and that is what is causing the fuzzy audio, which is called clipping.
Hi, thank you for the feedback! We'll certainly keep improving our videos and the audio quality.
I had Sol-Ark 12k installed last year, during installation of the panels I asked if micro inverters would be installed on my panels and I was informed that they were not needed since the inverter provided the protection for the panels is this correct. Thank you
Hi there,
Our inverter has protections in place for installations with and without micro inverters, so to answer your question, your installer is correct in saying they are not needed for the inverter to work safely. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us at 972-575-8875 x2 or send us a ticket here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/. Our Engineers would be happy to answer any of your questions.
Can 15k and a 12k inverter be wired together?
Looking for comms support with EG4 batteries. Anyone having any luck with this?
Me too!!!
Any luck?
Will you ever have a separate smart load output so you can keep Gen input?
If AC coupled to the Gen breaker and have a loss of grid and batteries are full, the Sol-Ark will ramp frequency to 62 Hz or whatever was set on Smart Screen tab. When would the Gen breaker open in this scenario?
My Sol-ark 15k currently has no battery. I've gone in to the Battery section and turned all the checkmarks off except "No Battery." Rebooted and everything seems to be running, but there's still a battery icon on the main display (nothing going in or out of it) with 19.2V next to it (which changes). Is that normal? Any idea why it would display that? The Battery tab is populated with some kind of information (default). But, again, only the No Battery box is checked. The big problem, though, is that I get periodic (every couple of days) Error 56 - DC_VoltLow_Fault errors: Batteries are overly discharged, the inverter is Off-Grid and exceeded the programmed batt discharge current by 20%, or Lithium BMS has shut down. If battery settings are incorrect, this can also happen. That shuts down my entire house as the 15k reboots. Sol-Ark technical support has no solution except "add a battery."
Apologies for that inconvenience. I suggest re-engaging with technical support, especially via support ticket. We provide all of our support in house out of our Allen TX HQ, and there are managers that unresolved issues can be escalated to. Mention it is an ongoing issue when you fill out the support ticket here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
question can I install the sol-ark 12k pair whitthe generac batteries?
On time settings, can they be adjusted to military time?
Hi Chris,
Yes you can! To switch the inverter time to military time, go to Basic Setup --> Time and deselect AM/PM. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to our team of solar engineers here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
Please explain why you charge 3x the price of a DEYE inverter which is exactly the same as yours but doesn't have your logo?
Because certifications like csa and ul cost big money for you to be able to legally integrate this into a system.
So for a strictly off grid system does it makes sense to buy a Deye? Or is it make sense to buy a low frequency inverter charger for a off grid system? Thanks
How do you adjust the Grid sell box?
enable time-of-use settings in the grid parameters LCD screen menu or use the monitoring portal
@@Sol-Ark Got it thanks. Mine looks different from this video. It's a split-box and not obvious you can select either section.
@@charleshorseman55 its a challenge to get all settings available locally without requiring internet for programming/commissioning. at some point it becomes easier to review settings within the online monitoring portal. this video is a bit old, we do keep more updated training assets within our training portal at training.sol-ark.com
What is that wire raceway called below the inverter hanging on the wall? Some sort of modular wire moulding?
It's commonly called a gutter.
Is there a way to connect the Sol Ark 15k to power the whole house using a All In One” (combination meter/breaker) service panel?
Typically all-in-ones also have an indoor panel on site. The 15k would backup the indoor panel. The outdoor "combo" loads could be relocated to a 100A subpanel outside the home, and then landed on the GEN port to also get access to the backup power (essentially abandoning the "combo" part of the existing meter base). One advantage is the outdoor loads could then be load shed during a power outage at low battery states of charge.
how can I calculate battery resistance? I have 6 EG4 48V batteries in parallel. can't seem to find resistance specs. thanks!
Hi Tam,
While I am not sure of the exact value, our engineers may have the answer for you. Feel free to call us at 972-575-8875 Ext. 2 or contact us here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
I can’t find clear instructions about generator install in my case 2 12K in series , auto transfer switch, with battery , and how the inverter able to manage the load when grid is out , the manual is not clear enough for me, since here in Mexico baja sur we don’t have great installers , thanks
You can just put a whole home generac 22kw on the grid side with ATS then solark. When grid goes down, Solar rapid shut down goes in effect until generator starts up and creates micro grid. Once it’s starts, then solark kicks on and works with the generator. Your “load side” output on the solark does not shut down when grid power goes down, providing you have either solar active or batteries to cover. That’s how I setup whole home gens. Now, you can also connect in to the gen input, but that requires two wire genset and generator only comes on to charge batteries. I think from how you asked your question you’re looking for the whole home.
Layout -
Meter-ATS-then your ATS back side goes to your house panels which is where you tie in solark.
Note- if you do a 15k it can negate the ATS and is a different setup, but could also do this way described above as well.
Looking at the 15K. We are grid tied and want a zero export system to take advantage of dirt cheap off peak power.
The utility requires the inverter to be disconnected while we would be using solar and batteries....how would we set that up?
Thank you
Use a transfer switch
@Sol-Ark How does this work with multiple wind turbines, 2000W, 48V? #SolArk
Probably already answered but have been reading online that I can connect A/C coupling (Enphase Micro-Inverters) to the Sol Ark 5K and 8K only up to 3KW but the specs from Sol-Ark say 9.6KW for AC Coupling. My solar array is all with Enphase Micro Inverters. Really interested in using a Sol-Ark 8K with the HomeGrid Stack'd Battery. Recommend YES NO?
Both the 5k. and the 8k say 9.6kw A/C coupling but a couple of installer videos keep saying they are limited to 3KW. Sol-Ark states in their video that the 15k has a A/C coupling limit of 19.KW. Just need to be really sure because all my panels have micro inverters and I want to install a HomeGrid Stack’d battery.
Hi everybody!
I would like to know if it is possible to make a translator systeme, like convert the conversation to French for user, like SMA SOLAR ACADEMY, Outback Power and Schneider (XW series) do that.
Think for your understanding!
If I can have if it is possible the French manuel
Make the training into French please 😊😊😊?
Would like to see a more in depth video on AC coupling while also having whole home gen with 15k. AC couple on the gen input as well as on the “load” side if possible, not grid side.
You would have a generator and ATS in front of the 15k between grid/gen/15k
FYI…..I think ATS stands for automatic transfer switch
Very helpful. I have a 20kw solar array and wanting to add 75kw battery backup (52v dc) how many would i need?
Often batteries are in 5kwh increments so 15. You can charge them with a single Sol-Ark 15k and you can put 20kW of solar on a single Sol-Ark 15k as well.
Will SolArk ever release the 15k for Australian market that is Clean Energy approved? I am quite disappointed by the choice of inverters available in Australia and would happily install a SolArk if legally allowed.
Hi Dylan,
Unfortunately, we don't currently have plans of expanding to Australia, although we do have 1 or 2 inverters in Australia working in an off-grid installation. If we do ever decide to enter the Australian market, I'm sure we'll make an announcement on our company newsletter: www.sol-ark.com/ or on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/solarksolar/
what happens if you install a sol-ark now? Is it illegal ? WHat does clean energy approved mean ?
Is there an onsite course I could take with you before moving forward with an installation at my home? I will take the required electronics and electrical classes to understand many of the primary electrical foundations.
Thanks for the video! (others have commented on the audio so I won't). have two questions:
First question: On the 19.2kW AC coupling limit. Is that doubled if you have two sol-ark 15k's in parallel ? Or is it a global limit? For example, if I have two sol-ark 15k's operating in parallel, split-phase (north america normal), does that allow me to put up to 38kW worth of ac-coupled (enphase) panels up?
Second question: In terms of grid-export in situations where the solar is AC-coupled, the battery is full, the solar is producing way more than the house needs, the grid is up, and the grid-export limit would be exceeded, what does the sol-ark do? It can't adjust the frequency since the grid is up so it is unclear how the sol-ark reacts to that. (secondarily, does that mean I should also in addition to the sol-ark setup, install the enphase grid monitoring / export-limit feature too that uses comms to direct the enphase units to reduce power?).
Thanks!
-Matt
Both the 5k. and the 8k say 9.6kw A/C coupling but a couple of installer videos keep saying they are limited to 3KW. Sol-Ark states in their video that the 15k has a a/C coupling limit of 19.KW. Just need to be really sure because all my panels have micro inverters and I want to install a HomeGrid Stack’d battery.
@@kayjet64 Yes. The inverter's AC coupling limit is basically a function of its battery charging and discharging/inverter capabilities. When the grid is down, it has to be able to handle the full AC coupled panel output for roughly 30 seconds or so while it adjusts the frequency, to prevent the micro inverters from shutting down due to thinking that they have islanded.
So for that parameter there is a maximum the inverter can handle, but the actual limit is more likely governed by the current capabilities of the battery conbnected to it. Whichever is lower.
The grid's export limit is a different parameter based on 20% of your utility service size. This doesn't count any AC consumed by the battery charger or the home, but you generally have to assume that the batteries might be full and the house might not be using power at some given moment.
Scenario. 8k Sol-Ark. I have 6KW A/C coupled grid tied Enphase. There should be no issue with the 3kw limit because whats not consumed (home load and Bsttery charging) will go back to the utility as credit (Net Metering). Issue would be when i’m off grid which is logical. ^kw A/C couple if there is no home load and the batteries are charged then it will be clicked until there is enough load to startup again.
@@kayjet64 Yes, 6kW is small enough that there should be no issue on the utility side if you have a 200A utility service. If you have a 100A utility service there might be an issue with the 4.8kW backfeed limit. On the other-hand, there might not be an issue even with the 4.8kW backfeed limit if your panels never produce that much. It sounds like you are in the clear there.
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To handle a grid-down situation, normally the Sol-Ark is set to not charge the batteries completely full... usually just to 90%. That way it can sink power by charging the batteries when A/C coupled solar output is greater than the home load for the roughly 30-60 seconds required to servo the micro-inverters to match the load.
This is where things get a little confusing. There are two standards... UL-1741 and UL-1741-SA. UL-1741 is the old standard and all it could do was turn the micro-inverters on or off using the line frequency. In a grid-down situation, this is not ideal to say the least.
UL-1741-SA is the new standard which is able to actually servo the micro-inverter output using the frequency when in a grid-down situation. This allows the inverter (e.g. the Sol-Ark) to match the solar output to the load. However, since it takes 30-60 seconds to do this, the Sol-Ark still needs to use the batteries to handle slack in either direction.
So the best absolute setup is when both the micro-inverters and the inverter support the newer UL-1741-SA standard. Meaning, generally, newer enphase inverters and the latest firmware for the Sol-Ark. You will have to double-check that everything you have supports the standard.
And then lastly, AC-coupled solar can't self-bootstrap (I think I mentioned this before). It needs a live circuit. Meaning that if the batteries are depleted overnight in a grid-down situation, the system will not be able to turn on in the morning the next day if the grid is still down. The solution here is to always have some DC-coupled solar so the sol-ark can charge the batteries up to their start SOC (5% or 10%) in the morning, turn-on, and thus bootstrap all the rest of the AC-coupled solar.
Arlington, WA, was the solar capital of USA but not so much anymore as it’s become big business and spread. Arlington was home to Trace Engineering, Xantrex, Outback, Magnum, and Midnite. That area and Boeing attracted a lot of engineers.
We're not too far from Arlington, TX :^P
The industry is standing on the shoulders of Trace's industry contributions and many others. We do what we can to push innovation forward.
Sunshine Renewables 26:16 "We've installed quite a few of these" but they dont even know where to turn off the beep is? LOL
He didn’t install them personally. He is the owner or manager.
I love all the features your product provides but cannot handle larger loads like some of your competition. Can you please comment why the Sol-Ark isnt even able to handle its rated load? ruclips.net/video/pIfehhtZSOc/видео.html and this one here ruclips.net/video/-Ez4cbuy7IQ/видео.html because its is VERY concerning. "very limited and handling large loads" seems like your 12kW unit can only handle a 7K load
I have 2 ea 12 K. I'm totally off grid and have brought in 21,000 W of PV and put out 16,000w to the house. No problems. Keep your loads balanced! Install at least a 40 space 200 amp panel. Install soft starters on your non-inverter PSC compressors and you'll be fine.
I agree that the model name is confusing because 12k isn’t the off grid output. It can handle over 13k of PV input, 12k of PV output and 9k of off grid AC output. And the most important value is 4.8k L-N. Transformer based inverters have a much higher L-N value than transformerless inverters. If you know that going in, you can properly design a system that works as expected. The Sol-Arks I’ve installed are working great and it fills a niche.
I assume balancing the loads, soft starters, needs to be done with the 15kW unit also? What is the upper limit on each leg of the 15kW unit? I know a widow that just had one installed and I have a hunch she might have overcurrent shutdown issues when she turns it on. The guy who installed is is very new at this. His first install. I have not seen inside the main service panel but it’s old and small.
Why there's so many skepticals about solar and Wisconsin is cuz all the people who make the solars don't live in Wisconsin don't have anything in Wisconsin usually and is very little in Wisconsin for a solar insulators there are a few but not very many all of them assumes be out of California and Texas and I think there's some in New York too and you never come down in this area to do anything I mean we do have a couple of them down here but they seem to be more out of state than in this state but I know some of you guys have things that are built here in Wisconsin for you guys maybe not you exactly and maybe not so ark but now generic has a company here in Wisconsin they make generators of different types for solar and for diesel and gas and whatever else not maybe it is at the 6 million people here don't need solar I don't know I know I want solar and I'm not willing to pay for you guys to come down here because I couldn't afford to do that for you to install one or two places just any too costly probably cost just as much as it actually put in solar.
Audio is pants 😠
No thanks, I would never purchase or install any high frequency, transformerless inverter/charger in my system.
Ok, why do you personally want a low frequency transformer based inverter charger in your system? Are you connected to the grid. Solark seems very user friendly for those connected to the grid. Thanks
@paulbaker3144 I want a hybrid, low frequency, transformer based inverter charger because they provide a much high surge capacity for starting high inductance loads than this high frequency tansformerless design. They're safer because transformer based inverters can inherently block dangerous high voltage, high amperage DC current from passing through to your AC loads, which can damage those loads. And because low frequency inverters typically last far longer than high frequency inverters.
Valid points in general however Sol-Ark has the most high frequency hybrid inverter field experience in the USA and actively maintains and supports its product from its USA HQ. HF has important advantages as well, such as better system efficiency. We also have EMP hardened options as well as EMP hardened battery partners. It's impossible to have everything but Sol-Ark is the most powerful single unit hybrid inverter on the market. 10 year standard warranty with 5 year extended option.
When your trying to sell a 10k ea product, dont release a video thats half assed.. You should know better. How hard would it have been to do another cut! Or is it not worth your time to do it right? You can be mad at me or say ...Hes right.. Your choice.
Hi Mihkel,
Apologies for any confusion, but just wanted to clarify that Auto Dim is on by default, but just in case it is disabled by the user, warranty will not be covered for just the screen if it burns out. The chances of a screen burning out are very low, but higher when Auto Dim is off and the Sol-Ark's screen is installed with consistent direct sunlight on it. We appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve, thank you.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact our engineers at 972-575-8875 Ext. 2 or here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/
Hi PDS,
Thank you for the feedback, we hope to always improve our quality as time goes on and your voice helps us with that process. We hope to bring quality content for educational purposes, such as this video, and marketing purposes as well in the future. If you do ever have any questions that we may not have addressed in our video, feel free to reach out to our engineers at 972-575-8875 Ext.2 or here: www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/