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ac_coupling:start [2019-07-14 02:39] – external edit 127.0.0.1ac_coupling:start [2026-09-01 10:41] (current) – [2.4 Should you look at the total PV array, or the PV inverter rating?] sloges
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 ==== 1.1 What is AC-coupling? ==== ==== 1.1 What is AC-coupling? ====
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 +{{:ac_coupling:ac_couple.jpg?direct&400|}}
  
 In an AC-coupled system, a grid-tied PV inverter is connected to the output of a Multi, Inverter or Quattro. PV power is first used to power the loads, then to charge the battery, and any excess PV power can be fed back to the grid. In an AC-coupled system, a grid-tied PV inverter is connected to the output of a Multi, Inverter or Quattro. PV power is first used to power the loads, then to charge the battery, and any excess PV power can be fed back to the grid.
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   * Systems with only a grid-tied PV inverter will fail when there is a grid black-out. A micro-grid system will continue to operate, and even keep using solar power.   * Systems with only a grid-tied PV inverter will fail when there is a grid black-out. A micro-grid system will continue to operate, and even keep using solar power.
   * It is also possible to run a AC-coupled micro-grid on a generator   * It is also possible to run a AC-coupled micro-grid on a generator
-  * Most brands of PV inverters can be used for these systems, they need to be setup to support frequency shifting, often called the island-mode or micro-grid mode. For Fronius settings, see [[ac_coupling:fronius|AC-coupled PV with Fronius PV Inverters]].+  * Most brands of PV inverters can be used for these systems, they need to be setup to support frequency shifting, often called the island-mode or micro-grid mode. For SolarEdge settings, see [[venus-os:gx_solaredge|]], for Fronius settings, see [[ac_coupling:fronius|AC-coupled PV with Fronius PV Inverters]] & for reading and controling ABB/Fimer inverters, see [[ccgx:abb_fimer|AC-coupled PV with ABB/Fimer PV Inverters]]. 
 +  * To read out SMA inverters, see [[ccgx:ccgx_sma|AC-coupled PV with SMA PV Inverters]].
   * If power will be fed back into the grid an anti-islanding device may have to be added to the system, depending on local regulations.    * If power will be fed back into the grid an anti-islanding device may have to be added to the system, depending on local regulations. 
  
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 ===== 2. The Factor 1.0 rule ===== ===== 2. The Factor 1.0 rule =====
  
-**The max PV power must be equal or less than the VA rating of the inverter/charger**+**The max PV power must be equal to or less than the continuous output power at 25 °C of the inverter/charger**
 ==== 2.1 Rule definition ==== ==== 2.1 Rule definition ====
-In both grid-connected and off-grid systems with PV inverters installed on the output of a Multi, Inverter or Quattro, there is a maximum of PV power that can be installed. This limit is called the __factor 1.0 rule__: 3.000 VA Multi = 3.000 Wp installed solar power. So for a 8.000 VA Quattro the maximum is 8.000 Wp, for two paralleled 8000 VA Quattros the maximum is 16.000 Wp, etc.+In both grid-connected and off-grid systems with PV inverters installed on the output of a Multi, Inverter or Quattro, there is a maximum of PV power that can be installed. That maximum is the continuous output power of the inverter/charger at 25 °C, as stated in its datasheet. 
 + 
 +A MultiPlus-II 48/3000 is rated 2400 W continuous at 25 °C, so the maximum is 2400 Wp of installed solar power. A Quattro 48/8000 is rated 6400 W, so the maximum is 6400 Wp. For paralleled units, add the continuous ratings of the individual units.
  
 ==== 2.2 Example and background ==== ==== 2.2 Example and background ====
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 ==== 2.3 Charge current limit ==== ==== 2.3 Charge current limit ====
  
-Another question frequently asked is how can this factor be 1.0? Since the charger inside a 3000 VA Multi is not 3000 VA but closer to 2000 VA? The explanation lies in the fact that it will regulate . In other words: when there is too much power coming in, causing the charge current to exceed the limit, it will increase the output frequency again and will keep regulating the AC output frequency to charge with the limit.+A question frequently asked is how PV power up to the full continuous output rating can be allowed, since the charger inside a 3000 VA Multi is not 2400 W but closer to 2000 W? The explanation lies in the fact that it will regulate. In other words: when there is too much power coming in, causing the charge current to exceed the limit, it will increase the output frequency again and will keep regulating the AC output frequency to charge with the limit.
  
-An example, a 3000 VA Multi, with 3000 W of solar power coming out of a PV inverter:+An example, MultiPlus-II 48/3000, with 2400 W of solar power coming out of a PV inverter:
  
-  - When the Multi is connected to the grid, all 3000 W can be fed back to the grid through the Multi, no problem. +  - When the Multi is connected to the grid, all 2400 W can be fed back to the grid through the Multi, no problem. 
-  - In case the Multi is not connected to the grid, the 3000 Wp is more than the charger in a Multi 3000 VA can handle. The charger is around 2000 W. Therefore the grid inverter assistant will automatically increase the frequency to reduce the output of the grid inverter, to match maximum charge current.+  - In case the Multi is not connected to the grid, the 2400 Wp is more than the charger in a Multi 3000 VA can handle. The charger is around 2000 W. Therefore the grid inverter assistant will automatically increase the frequency to reduce the output of the grid inverter, to match maximum charge current.
  
 ==== 2.4 Should you look at the total PV array, or the PV inverter rating? ==== ==== 2.4 Should you look at the total PV array, or the PV inverter rating? ====
  
-The mentioned 3000 Wp and 8000 Wp is the Watt-peak which can be expected from the solar system. So for a oversized PV array, where the total Watt-peak installed PV panels exceeds the power of the PV Inverter, you take the Wp from the inverter. For example 7000 Wp of solar panels installed, with an 6000 Watt PV grid inverter, the figure to be used in the calculations is 6000 Wp.+The mentioned 2400 Wp and 6400 Wp is the Watt-peak which can be expected from the solar system. So for an oversized PV array, where the total Watt-peak installed PV panels exceeds the power of the PV Inverter, you take the Wp from the inverter. For example 7000 Wp of solar panels installed, with an 6000 Watt PV grid inverter, the figure to be used in the calculations is 6000 Wp.
  
 And for an undersized PV array, where the total Wp of installed PV panels is less than the installed PV grid inverter, you use the Wp from the PV panels in your calculation. And for an undersized PV array, where the total Wp of installed PV panels is less than the installed PV grid inverter, you use the Wp from the PV panels in your calculation.
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 ===== 3. Minimum battery capacity ===== ===== 3. Minimum battery capacity =====
  
-Besides the relation between installed PV Power and the inverter/charger VA rating, it is also important to have a sufficiently sized battery. The minimum battery capacity depends on the type of battery, lead or lithium.+Besides the relation between installed PV Power and the continuous output power of the inverter/charger, it is also important to have a sufficiently sized battery. The minimum battery capacity depends on the type of battery, lead or lithium.
  
 Note that, besides the minimum battery capacity, the mentioned sizes are often also the most economical battery size. In case used for self-consumption purposes that is. In case the goal is to increase autonomy, of course installing a large battery increases the system autonomy in case of a grid failure. Note that, besides the minimum battery capacity, the mentioned sizes are often also the most economical battery size. In case used for self-consumption purposes that is. In case the goal is to increase autonomy, of course installing a large battery increases the system autonomy in case of a grid failure.
  
 ==== 3.1 Lead batteries ==== ==== 3.1 Lead batteries ====
-1 kWp installed PV power requires approximately 5kWh of battery: +1 kWp installed PV power requires approximately 5kWh of lead acid battery: 
-  * 100 Ah accubank 48 Vdc +  * 100 Ah at 48 Vdc 
-  * 200 Ah accubank 24 Vdc +  * 200 Ah at 24 Vdc 
-  * 400 Ah accubank 12 Vdc+  * 400 Ah at 12 Vdc
  
 +Each additional 1 kWp of AC PV will require an additional proportional 5 kWh increase in lead acid battery storage. 
 ==== 3.2 Lithium batteries ==== ==== 3.2 Lithium batteries ====
-1,5 kWp installed PV power requires: +1,5 kWp installed AC PV power requires 4.8 kWh of battery storage: 
-  * 100 Ah accubank 48 Vdc +  * 100 Ah at 48 Vdc 
-  * 200 Ah accubank 24 Vdc +  * 200 Ah at 24 Vdc 
-  * 400 Ah accubank 12 Vdc+  * 400 Ah at 12 Vdc
  
 +Each additional 1.5 kWp of AC PV will require an additional proportional 4.8 kWh increase in battery storage. 
 ===== 4 Requirement of adding DC-Coupling - MPPT Solar Chargers ===== ===== 4 Requirement of adding DC-Coupling - MPPT Solar Chargers =====
  
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 Reason: recover from deadlock situation of AC-Coupling only situation. Reason: recover from deadlock situation of AC-Coupling only situation.
 +
 +There is no Factor 1.0 limit that applies for DC coupled PV through a Victron MPPT. Nor is there a specific minimum amount of battery storage capacity, though please follow battery manufacture specifications for maximum charge rates. A rule of thumb is C10 (10% of Ah capacity in A) for lead acid batteries, and C2 (50% of Ah capacity in A) for lithium batteries. 
  
 ===== 5 Software configuration ===== ===== 5 Software configuration =====
  
-Multis and Quattros with factory settings will not shift the AC output frequency to regulate charge current. When setting up an AC Coupled system, install either the [[ess:start|ESS Assistant]] (for grid-connected systems) or the [[:assistants:pv-inverter-support]] (for off-grid systems).+Multis and Quattros with factory settings will not shift the AC output frequency to regulate charge current. When setting up an AC Coupled system, install either the [[ess:start|ESS Assistant]] (for grid-connected systems) or the [[:assistants:pv-inverter-support]] (for off-grid systems).  
 + 
 +The Inverter RS will automatically shift frequency without any additional configuration required when a surplus/back-feed of AC is detected on the AC-output.
  
 Other options, __all deprecated__, are: Other options, __all deprecated__, are:
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 ===== Monitoring ===== ===== Monitoring =====
  
-See [[ccgx:start|section 1.5 in the GX manual]].+See [[https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/Cerbo_GX/en/installation.html#UUID-347e92f6-0d4b-eef5-9787-22fbcb9aa13c|Connecing a PV inverter section of the GX manual]].
  
 ===== DISQUS ===== ===== DISQUS =====
 ~~DISQUS~~ ~~DISQUS~~
  
ac_coupling/start.1563064743.txt.gz · Last modified: by 127.0.0.1
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