REV110619
SimpliPhi Power, Inc. | 3100 Camino Del Sol | Oxnard, CA 93030, USA | (805) 640-6700 | info@simpliphipower.com |
SimpliPhiPower.com
| 44 |
In an AC Coupled system setup that includes a generator, using a transfer switch for a grid-or-generator
connection to the Sol-
Ark’s Grid Input also frees up the Sol-Ark Generator Input for connection to the AC
Coupled solar PV array.
If the system includes both a generator and a grid connection, limiter sensors are required. While smaller
generators (less than 10 kW) can be wired to the Sol-
Ark’s Generator Input, Sol-Ark recommends wiring
larger generators to a whole home transfer switch instead of using the inverter’s Generator Input.
Smart Load
The Smart Load feature allows the homeowner to run higher power non-essential appliances (hot water,
dehumidifier, heat pump, irrigation pump, etc.) on solar when excess solar power is available. This setup
involves connecting these higher power non-essential loads to the Sol-
Ark’s Generator Input. To partially
protect the batteries against over-discharge, set the
Smart Load Off Batt
and
Smart Load ON Batt
parameters to the batteries’ acceptable SoC percentage range while in this mode. However, note that no
programmable parameter exists to regulate the batteries’ over-discharge from a
current
perspective.
For example, an off-grid system with home loads totaling a maximum instantaneous power draw of 8 kW
might include 5 PHI 3.8 batteries, with a maximum combined continuous power output of 9.6 kW
DC
/ 9.168
kW
AC
. With both the
Smart Load
and
Limited to Load
modes enabled and the
Smart Load ON Batt
parameter set to 100% SoC, the Sol-Ark will begin powering the Smart Loads (in addition to all the home
loads) when the batteries are at 100% SoC. If the Smart Load power draw exceeds 9.168 kW
AC
, (38.2
Amps at 240VAC), the batteries will then be operating beyond their maximum continuous power output
capabilities. While the batteries have a maximum surge discharge capability of 60 Amps DC per battery
(15.36 kW
DC
/ 14.669 kW
AC
for the 5-battery bank), the batteries cannot surge at this power level for more
than 10 minutes. A Smart Load drawing more than 9.168 kW
AC
for more than 10 minutes will very likely
result in the batteries’ SoC level reaching the
Smart Load OFF Batt
parameter, if it is set to 95%. However,
feel free to reach out SimpliPhi Power Technical Support (TechSupport@SimpliPhiPower.com) if the Smart
Load feature will be used and battery bank sizing clarification according to Smart Load-specific loads needs
to be clarified.
Note that in a grid-connected system that utilizes the
Smart Load
feature, the Wattage value to the right of
the
Smart Load ON Batt
parameter in the
Smart Load
menu tab (see Figure 5) represents the minimum
power required of the solar PV array before the Smart Loads are powered. Therefore, that Solar PV Wattage
value can be added to the battery bank’s maximum output power rating when comparing maximum
available solar and battery power available, against the Smart Load power draw:
𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑤 (𝑘𝑊) ≤
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑃𝑉 (𝑘𝑊) + 𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝐵𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑀𝐴𝑋 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 (𝑘𝑊)
.
CAUTION:
Smart Loads’ maximum power draw cannot exceed the Generator Input breaker’s 40
Amp / 240VAC rating.
6.0
– SimpliPhi Technical Support
For technical support related to your AccESS, please contact us as follows:
805.640.6700
techsupport@simpliphipower.com
