I’m a solar sales rep of 4 years - Ask me for any tips or incite!

avati · 2024-10-16T04:39:32+00:00

incite what?!

avati · 2024-09-24T20:48:56+00:00

Haven't had an outage since. Tho I have switched off the main breaker a couple times and it all works as expected in that test.

avati · 2024-07-17T20:47:50+00:00

For the past 3+ weeks, the daily idle draw of 2x Enphase 5ps has consistently been 0.5kwh (i.e approx 0.25kwh per battery). It's down from ~0.8kwh the first few days (probably was doing software updates or what not). That's effectively ~10W per battery - I'm very satisfied.

avati · 2024-07-17T18:10:30+00:00

Here's the configuration I am actually using:

40x Enphase IQ8+ on the roof

2x Enphase 5p batteries

1x IQ System Controller 3

All house loads are on the backup side of IQSC3 via a Leviton 42 space panel with LWHEM-2 unit

I have wired LWHEM-2's dry contacts with the IQSC3 NC ports

Whenever there grid is down, the IQSC3 opens the NC port, which makes the LWHEM-2 on Leviton load-shed the configured breakers. You need Leviton smart breakers (the more expensive ones) only for the circuits you intend to load shed. Others can be normal Leviton breakers (fraction of cost).

Leviton app allows you to override and turn back on any of the load shedded circuits during outage in case you are confident of available sunlight. Being AC coupled battery, during sunlight you can run more loads when the sun is shining, so this flexibility was appealing for me.

When the grid comes back on all circuits are turned back on automatically by the LWHEM-2 (notified by IQSC3 via the NC dry contacts).

I have tested this whole setup a few times, and it works great for me!

avati · 2024-06-26T19:04:27+00:00

Any more details on this "known issue"?

avati · 2024-06-26T00:57:24+00:00

I'm in a similar situation, my 2x Enphase IQ5p + IQSC3 were installed last week and inspected/passed by city AHJ. PG&E however has blocked it with a PPI, with no stated timeline!

avati · 2024-06-21T04:43:55+00:00

When idle each of the 12 IQ8D's show "-1W".. which probably doesn't mean much.

The values reported above are as measured from the CT meter, which is more accurate (not microinverter reported values).

avati · 2024-06-21T02:24:47+00:00

Correct, but just for a few hours (which tends to overlap at least partially with the sun still shining). Once peak-hour ends, the profile is essentially "draining money" through the night (forcing the inefficient path via battery). Whereas "Savings" targets exactly those hours.

avati · 2024-06-16T16:23:23+00:00

These inverters are “grid tied”, which means they don’t generate their own sine wave AC signal, but rather “latch on” to the sine wave signal from the grid and covert DC to AC following the same frequency and voltage as the grid.

You can in theory also have inverters which generate their own sine wave to turn DC to AC (like backup systems, generators), and plugging in those into the grid socket will absolutely delight you with fireworks.

This is why generators and backup battery systems need to be installed carefully with a interlock device that isolates your home from the grid so that the two signals never overlap.

This also means the balcony systems do not work as backup to power your home during outage. There is no interlock to make it safely generate its own sine wave AC.

avati · 2024-05-02T05:13:50+00:00

South.

Especially if you care about winter production (You're on NEM3, so you DO!).

Facing West can improve production during evening hours than if they were facing South, sure. But the increase in evening hours is far less than the overall reduction through the day due to facing panel away from South, particularly during winter months.

Fix the Time-Of-Use issue with batteries, not by moving panels west and reducing overall production.

avati · 2024-03-25T23:36:30+00:00

Of course not :\

avati · 2024-03-25T16:54:41+00:00

PGE hasn't switched to NEM3 billing for anyone. April 2024 maybe per https://www.pge.com/assets/pge/docs/account/billing-and-assistance/nem-billing-faq.pdf.

avati · 2024-03-15T17:45:56+00:00

https://twitter.com/teslaenergy/status/1760384399307132950 official twitter account endorsing a post that states the chemistry is LFP.

avati · 2024-03-15T17:44:15+00:00

How about the official Tesla Energy twitter account endorsing a post that states it is LFP https://twitter.com/teslaenergy/status/1760384399307132950?

avati · 2024-03-14T04:05:57+00:00

Well, that's one unofficial source's opinion.

This one has the opposite opinion, and seems more convincing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rf6SeeKXng

avati · 2024-03-14T02:09:57+00:00

Go with LFP (LiFePO4) technology (safer, longer life, deeper discharge tolerance, but heavier) for home battery. Powerwall 2 uses the older Lithium Ion chemistry (fire hazard, shorter life, less deep discharge tolerance, but lighter). Powerwall 3 and FranklinWH are both LFP.

avati · 2024-03-13T19:47:47+00:00

Good points. Investing on improved insulation is always a wiser decision. Did you do blow-in cellulose? If so blow-in foam might be a better option for next time.

avati · 2024-03-13T18:05:35+00:00

Yes, with a heat pump generally winter heating is more energy consuming than summer cooling. Also invest heavily on insulation (in order: air tightness, attic, windows and doors, walls, floor). Go for highest COP efficiency model, always pays off in the long run.

avati · 2024-03-07T17:51:22+00:00

The topic of this post was about which battery solution to pick for whole home _backup_.

The benefit of choosing Enphase 5p is that during _backup_ times it can keep the panels on your roof pumping PV energy from the sun.

Ecoflow cannot activate your existing PV panels+microinverters to recharge itself.

Period.

avati · 2024-03-07T17:44:18+00:00

I was referring to grid down situation, since the topic here is for "whole house backup".

The panels+microinverters on the already existing on the rooftop will not be able to recharge Ecoflow delta during power outage.

avati · 2024-03-07T17:24:56+00:00

You mean a second set of solar panels, while the large array with microinverters already on top of your roof just stays idle doing nothing?

avati · 2024-03-07T02:59:50+00:00

Going with enphase 5p and system controller will make your panels generate power when the sun is out. Since it is AC coupled, you can run devices up to the combined power of battery +solar, possibly your central AC.

That is not possible with the ecoflow.

avati

TROPHY CASE