How to Get Ready for the Future
By Michael Rogerson
Andrew Beebe of Obvious Ventures recently went on record saying, “We believe stored electricity, increasingly derived from renewable sources, will entirely replace fossil fuels as the preferred method to power everything in our lives.” LINK
We couldn’t agree more. We know that sunlight can power our homes but the sun doesn’t always shine when we need power. The solution, until now, has been to rely on the grid but with storage, homeowners can now increase their self-consumption of solar. This can help homeowners to lower their electricity bills and to provide power even when the grid goes down.
Are you ready for this storage-based future? SolarEdge can get you StorEdge-ready with a few tips.
The future is all about Space – or rather providing space for added components.
In addition to the inverter and PV modules, you will need a few more components to support your future system. The first key decision to make is whether you want to support on-grid applications (like time of use shifting, self-supply or peak shaving), backup power applications or both. This will have a large impact on your equipment selection.
- For all applications, you will need a new SolarEdge DCD unit and a battery
- For on-grid applications, you will also need the SolarEdge Electricity Meter.
- For backup applications, you will also need the SolarEdge autotransformer and to connect a secondary loads panel for backup circuits.
You won’t need to purchase all of these today but you should design the layout to support installing them later. This way, they can easily be added without changing installed equipment locations. Also leave room for added conduit runs and entry points.
- Get the right gear.
If you are interested in StorEdge tomorrow, you will want to purchase an SE7600-US today. The SE7600-US inverter is the foundation for StorEdge providing a platform to integrate PV systems from 3,800 watts up to 10,260 watts from the solar modules. This inverter supports the bi-directional operation required for battery operation, integrates with the StorEdge Electricity Meter for consumption monitoring and contains the communications hardware to provide cloud based monitoring of PV, battery and metering.
During installation, you will need to add space for the larger DCD unit (the unit below the inverter with the safety switch on the cover). This unit is 7” longer than the current DCD unit. Also leave at least 8” of clearance up to the bottom of the upgrade unit for cable entry.
2. Add space for the battery.
The battery should be positioned to the left (the DC side) of the inverter, and at a distance of no more than 33 feet. At least 12” should be left above and below the battery and at least 4” to the left and right for cable connections.
Some local installation codes require a DC disconnect between the inverter and Powerwall if the inverter is more than 5 feet away or not visible from the mounted Powerwall.
3. (Optional) Leave room for the SolarEdge Autotransformer.
If you plan to support backup power during grid interruption, this device allows the inverter to support 2x 120Vac outputs with variable loads. The autotransformer is only 6.7 x 7.9 x 5.5 inches, but weighs approximately 30 lbs., so you will need to mount it on a stud.
To simplify wiring, position the autotransformer to the right (the AC side) of the inverter. The autotransformer also needs 8” of clearance up to the bottom for conduit entry. For cooling, you should leave a 4” perimeter around the unit to allow for proper airflow.
4. (Optional) Make sure that your system measures up.
To support on-grid applications, you will need to install the SolarEdge Electricity Meter. The meter gives you the data on production and consumption for export limitation, demand response, peak shaving and time-of-use shifting. You can purchase and install the meter at any time before the installation to track the homeowner’s consumption patterns.
Full article with photos can be found here: http://www.solaredge.us/articles/blog/how_to_get_r...
To learn more, download our applications note on Preparing a SolarEdge System for Future StorEdge™ Upgrade
StorEdge Solution
StorEdge™ is SolarEdge’s all-in-one solution that uses a single on-grid DC optimized inverter to manage and monitor both solar generation and energy storage. The solution is designed to provide Homeowners with backup power in the event of grid interruption to power pre-selected loads. Solar energy can be stored in a battery for Smart Energy Management applications such as export control, offering demand response and peak shaving, and performing time of use shifting for reduced electric bills.