Grid Tie Solar inverter hybrid 48vdc UL or CSA

Doctorbass

100 GW
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
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Location
Quebec, Canada East
I am actively searching for a inverter that is:


-1 or 2 MPPT input ( idealy starting from 60VDC and not 200vdc as i have some string of 2x 60 cells panel only)
-Grid Tie
-Hybrid (battery backup input)
-48Vdc ( not 24, not 12)
-Certified UL or CSA.
- 4kW and more

It seem a real pain to find some that ARE NOT from ALIBABA/chineese uncertified shit like MPP solar etc that are NOT certified else than CE....

Can some of you have some experience finding these or can share some model?

My goal is to have an inverter that can recharge my battery from solar adn also can dump teh excess power to the grid adn that can be off grid when power outage happen ( as opposite to micro inverter, when no grid, no solar power can be used)

Thanks!!!

Doc
 
Doc,

I have an Outback Power based system that does what you describe, but the inverters and MPPT charge controllers are separate devices. Looking at some of the products from Fronius, SMA, Schneider Electric and Outback, I don't see any that have a single, integrated unit that provide both a grid-interactive inverter (Outback's term for what you called hybrid) that also has the charge controllers integrated. The SMA Sunny Boys are close, but don't allow for battery backup, and provide a secondary receptacle that provides limited backup power only when the sun is shining (they call it a Secure Power Supply), while it can sell at full power on the AC input.

I'm just a hobbyist, but I think to get everything you want, you'll need one or more grid interactive inverters (an inverter that can charge batteries from AC input, sell excess power on those AC inputs, and provide backup power to a separate AC output from a 48v DC input) and separate charge controllers. For Outback, that would be their Radian or FXR inverters
(http://outbackpower.com/products/inverter-chargers/fxr-vfxr-series) and FlexMax charge controllers
(http://outbackpower.com/products/charge-controllers/flexmax-60-80), plus a bunch of balance of system parts (communications hub, Mate controller, enclosures, breakers, etc.). They do offer a pre-built panel with all the parts for a one, two, three or four inverter stack, but you pay a premium for them to assemble and wire everything (http://outbackpower.com/products/integrated-systems/flexpower-two-fxr); a two inverter system providing 7200W @240v, with two 100A MPPT charge controllers and everything required, pre-assembled is going to be around $8,000 US (https://www.solar-electric.com/outback-flexpower-two-fp2-vfxr3648a-300.html). The Radian series invertes have similar capabilities in a different enclosure format, but still requiring separate charge controllers.

I have no experience with it, but Schneider Electric appears to have a similar product, that's somewhat more integrated but still uses external MPPT charge controllers (https://solar.schneider-electric.com/product/conext-xw-na-solar-inverter/).

The Outback FXR line has the following listings/certifications: UL1741, CSA C22.2 No 107.1, UL1778, Annex FF
The Schneider Electric inverter has the following listings/certifications: UL1741, CSA 107.1

Hope this helps.

Jon
 
Doctorbass said:
I am actively searching for a inverter that is:


-1 or 2 MPPT input ( idealy starting from 60VDC and not 200vdc as i have some string of 2x 60 cells panel only)
-Grid Tie
-Hybrid (battery backup input)
-48Vdc ( not 24, not 12)
-Certified UL or CSA.
- 4kW and more
For a single unit? The Skybox by Outback. 5kW, 48V, one MPPT input.

For a more conventional system? An Outback Radian (4 or 8kW) and two Midnite Solar charge controllers (good to 150V.)
 
I have been searching for the same thing but in three-phase, with minimal luck. But there are a few options.

You might want to consider the Goodwe range of inverters. They are single phase, grid-tie, 48 V battery, dual MPPT, 5000 W for the DC coupled option, and single or three-phase options for the AC coupled battery inverter.
https://www.goodwe.com.au/energy-storage-inverters-23_7.asp

Alternatively you can get a Voltronic / MPP Solar inverter with Grid-tie options. They come in a few different sizes, including a three phase option for the MPI10K inverter (10 kW).
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/mpi-hybrid-series-2/

Imeon make a 9.6 kW inverter with near identical features as the MPP Solar range, also in three-phase, but costs twice as much and is just as reliable.
 
I have to admit, I hadn't heard of the Outback Skybox, and missed it on their website; it looks like a good fit for people with a highly integrated, high-voltage PV grid-tie installation who want battery backup. But according to the datasheet, the MPPT voltage range is 250-600V, higher than Doc wanted.

For what it's worth, the Outback FXR line can be configured for three-phase (stack up to nine inverters when running three phase, 32,400W, if you have some larger machinery to run). Same thing for the Outback Radian series, but with a higher capacity.

Jon
 
jstibal said:
I have to admit, I hadn't heard of the Outback Skybox, and missed it on their website; it looks like a good fit for people with a highly integrated, high-voltage PV grid-tie installation who want battery backup.

I will add if UL, CEC etc approval is not necessary there are a lot of options. The Victron EasySolar line and Voltronic InfiniSolar V both meet his input voltage requirements for example - but are not really installable in the US. Not sure about Canada.
 
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