Solar Edge and SMA Inverter??

[VMan]

Hi guys,
I've only recently stumbled upon these Solaredge power optimisers, Seem good and thinking of adding them on half of my array as they have shading in the winter months, so..

i have a 10 panel array, 5 with shading in winter months,

Can i add 5 power optimizers for 5 panels and add them to the array string, or have all 10 modules with optimisers and put them into a sunnyboy? or must they be used with a solar edge inverter?!?!

I' not too sure how they work, i'm thinking they are a DC/DC micro inverter with own Mppt? then set a constant voltage output? #

Anymore info would be great on these.

Thanks

 

[PeteC]

Hi V'man,

I was sub-cont' installing SolarEdge systems in the run to 12th Dec. The inverter has to be "paired" to the power units~ at first start up each unit sends 1 volt (ie 10 modules = 10V) and then inverter pairs it self to each one. How I don't know (SolarEdge technical manual gives nothing away), possibly sending digital signal~ then when running the inverter reads each one and aligns the DC line voltage to suit best production. Without the SE inverter, each optimiser would be at different voltage (that is if it would even initiate) so guess could be worse output on SMA~ poss' even cause burnout of optimisers.

One question for anyone with more info~ you cannot test for a string Voc/Isc so what do you do for string tests? has anyone run this past their accreditors?

 

[mmorse60]

I would test each panel for Voc/Isc then put these results on your test form

 

[Eco Deal]

thats what we do!

Solar edge are better system than SMA but cost a little more.

We have installed over 40 solar edge system in 2011 and all customers are happy with results

 

[pjcomp]

With solar edge the optimisers are trackers, so you have a tracker per panel and none in the inverter (as I understand it) which is why you have to have the solar edge inverter to go with the solar edge optimisers. Price differential doen't come out too much - you pay more for the oprimieers, but the inverter's quite a bit cheaper

pj

 

[Eco Deal]

Still works out around 400 or more than sma you can use other inverters but you need a piece of kit but forgot the name of the device now

 

[Dan]

Don't mind me while I bump some threads in the solar PV forum. If they're not current or applicable topics, just ignore the threads; they'll drop off the page. If they are, feel free to chip in and chat solar stuff in the solar panels forum.