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  • JackM
    Junior Member
    • Mar 2022
    • 3

    modified grid-tied system to tie into solar generator?

    Let me know if I should be posting this elsewhere ...

    I have a question for the group:

    I have an existing PV system on my roof. Standard 340W panels, each attached to an Enphase IQ7+ microinverter. It is working fine, but when the grid is down, the microinverters shut off and I am powerless. I would like to to be able to harness some power from the panels when the grid goes down.

    My plan is to purchase a "solar generator" such as the EcoFlow Delta Pro and power it from three of my existing roof panels when the grid goes down. Attached is a diagram of the connection that I am proposing.

    The red connections would be the new connections that I would add.

    I would also install a manual transfer switch near my main panel. When the grid is down, I will plug the DC lines from my solar panels into my Delta Pro, then I will throw the transfer switch which will isolate my house from the grid and feed power from the Delta Pro into my house. I would also throw the switch at my combiner box which would isolate the microinverters from my house, thus insuring (I think) that they stay off.

    My question is: Would these new connections possibly damage my existing Enphase IQ7+ microinverters or Qcell panels?

    Unless I make a mistake, I don't think the microinverters are ever going to be operational when the Delta Pro is operational. So, in theory, I think the microinverters will never know that there is any new wiring.

    But you guys know more than I do!

    What say you?


    Attached Files
    Last edited by JackM; 03-26-2022, 04:13 PM.
  • solardreamer
    Solar Fanatic
    • May 2015
    • 452

    #2

    Assuming your local AHJ allows such setup, conceptually that should work but you will probably need to also keep Envoy off to avoid potential issues.

    Comment

    • Mike 134
      Solar Fanatic
      • Jan 2022
      • 393

      #3
      I smell smoke looking at putting those 3 modules in series but parallel with the inverters

      Comment

      • solardreamer
        Solar Fanatic
        • May 2015
        • 452

        #4
        My understanding is that iQ7 has floating DC stage so it should be OK but the wiring will now see high DC voltage referenced to ground and that's one reason why I mentioned AHJ allowance for such setup. I doubt Enphase ever tested such setup.

        Comment

        • SunEagle
          Super Moderator
          • Oct 2012
          • 15126

          #5
          IMO using a separate set of panels for a backup power source like the Solar Generator would be a better decision instead of doing something to your existing solar system. But I can understand the a lot of people don.t like the idea of not being able to use their solar pv equipment when the grid is down.

          What I think most people don't understand is that a small 1000watt solar generator will really not power much load for a long time. So if emergency power is required for your loads then maybe look into a real generator that has dual fuel capabilities.

          Comment

          • jflorey2
            Solar Fanatic
            • Aug 2015
            • 2331

            #6
            Originally posted by JackM
            My question is: Would these new connections possibly damage my existing Enphase IQ7+ microinverters or Qcell panels?
            Panels - likely not. PV panels are pretty rugged and don't much care about potentials (as long as you don't exceed their voltage rating, which is usually 600 or 1000 volts.)
            Inverters - possibly. They are designed to operate isolated from each other; this would be forcing a galvanic reference on them that they are not expecting.
            Unless I make a mistake, I don't think the microinverters are ever going to be operational when the Delta Pro is operational. So, in theory, I think the microinverters will never know that there is any new wiring.
            They will "know" because the panel on the right will see its ground (referenced to the imaginary neutral between the two hot lines going to that inverter) at around ground. The panel on the right will see that ground at 80 volts above the neutral. IF all the inverters have isolation that is good to a few hundred volts (which is likely) AND the control software doesn't check that the voltage levels are what it expects to see (which might be true) then it will work.

            One of the reasons I would be hesitant is that inverters aren't designed for this. For a consumer electronics device, like your cellphone charger, then isolation is a life safety feature, and will almost be guaranteed to be excellent. But for these panels, there's no requirement for that, as long as the panels shut down cleanly and completely when the power goes away.

            To do something safer, you could use a 220 volt DPDT relay at each junction box. When power is applied to the array, the relays are closed, and the inverter is connected. When the power is removed, the relays fall open, and the series connection is made and the power is available at the end of the extra wires.

            Comment

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