Solectria Renewables PVI 1800, Installation And Operation Manual

Page 1: ...Letter of Attestation IEEE C62 41 2002 PVI 1800 PVI 2500 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL Residential Commercial Grid Tied Photovoltaic Inverter 2006 Solectria Renewables Subject to Change REV 1 04 4 ...

Page 2: ...ration of the inverter the following safety symbols are used to indicate dangerous conditions and important safety instructions WARNING This indicates a fact or feature very important for the safety of the user and or which can cause a serious hardware damage if not applied appropriately Use extreme caution when performing this task NOTE This indicates a feature that is important either for optima...

Page 3: ...om for Solectria Renewables contact information and authorized system installers Before installing or using the PVI 1800 PVI 2500 please read all instructions and caution markings in this manual and on the PVI 1800 PVI 2500 unit as well as the PV modules Connection of the PVI 1800 PVI 2500 to the electric utility grid must be done after receiving prior approval from the utility company and perform...

Page 4: ...und Fault Error LED Indicators and LCD Display 20 4 1 Power Ground Fault and Error LED Indicators 21 4 2 The LCD Display 23 5 Trouble Shooting 30 6 Warranty 34 6 1 Warranty Policy 34 6 2 Return Material Authorization Policy 37 7 Technical Data 37 8 Appendices 43 Appendix A Terminal assignment RS 485 RS232 43 Appendix B PVI 1800 2500 Brochure Datasheet 44 Appendix C Example PV String Sizing Tables ...

Page 5: ... of a 208 VAC 3 phase commercial industrial or institutional facility s electrical system that is connected to the electric utility grid If the PV system and inverter are providing the same amount of electrical power that the facility is using then no power is taken from or fed into the utility grid If the facility is using more power than the PV system is providing then the utility grid provides ...

Page 6: ...ble from Fat Spaniel You can purchase this from Solectria Renewables or Fat Spaniel It plugs into the inverter and to the facility s internet service Technical structure of the PVI 1800 PVI 2500 A high frequency switching bridge circuit operating in connection with a high frequency transformer provides galvanic isolation of the photovoltaic system from the building s AC power and electrical utilit...

Page 7: ...he display then shows Waiting for restart Disconnecting from the grid is important to protect the electrical and utility line workers who may be working to restore the grid as well as electricians working at a site with PV systems Power grid faults that will cause the PVI 1800 PVI 2500 to isolate itself from the power grid AC grid voltage The grid voltage must not go outside the range of 10 12 of ...

Page 8: ...id 10 AWG XHHW 2 wire PV 2 PV array ground fault interrupt GFDI fuse 3 DC conduit fitting and conductors 10 AWG XHHW 2 wire 4 Grounding Electrode Conductor connection point on side of heat sink 5 Fan Connection used on PVI 2500 6 RS 232 485 communication ports and caps 7 LCD display and key pad 8 LED indicators for basic operating status 9 Fan assembly on PVI 2500 only 9 8 7 6 1 2 4 5 3 ...

Page 9: ...seen please immediately notify the shipping company If there is any question about potential shipping damage contact Solectria Renewables A photo of the damage may be helpful Do not accept unit if visibly damaged or note visible damage when signing shipping company receipt Report damage immediately to the shipping company Do not remove the unit from packaging If it is determined that the unit must...

Page 10: ...at eye height allows easy reading of the indicator LEDs and the LCD display For optimal inverter life and performance do not mount the inverter in direct sunlight especially in hot climates although the inverter is designed to function at full power continuously in up to 131o F 55o C ambient temperatures In hot climates if the unit must be mounted in direct sunlight a silver or white metal sun shi...

Page 11: ...he unit A minimum distance of 6 inches 152mm must be clear above and below the inverter for ventilation The inverter must be mounted directly on a flat wall surface Do not mount to open studs or any horizontal or vertical beams or struts as this can hinder proper cooling performance The inverter must be mounted vertically see mounting photos If you are installing the inverter in a utility vault or...

Page 12: ...PVI 1800 PVI 2500 Installation and Operation Manual 12 Fig 4 PVI 1800 PVI 2500 Dimensional Diagram ...

Page 13: ...specially if used outdoors Be sure to verify sheer and pullout strength of anchors or other wall attachments NOTE Always use all 4 mounting screws It is easiest to layout the 4 screw mounting pattern using Fig 5 pre install the 4 screws backed out about 1 8 3 16 from the wall surface install the inverter then tighten the screws The square mounting pattern for the screws is about 12 5 8 x 12 5 8 A ...

Page 14: ...nverter NOTE Choose the inverter location keeping in mind where the disconnects and or junction boxes and kWh meter if n eeded will be located It is best to mark on the wall or create a diagram where all of the components are to be located The inverter is set up with pre wired AC and DC connections to make it very easy and quick to connect to a DC disconnect to the le ft of the inverter and an AC ...

Page 15: ...om indirect lightning strikes and resulting surges that provide protection beyond the inverter s UL1741 requirements It is suggested to drive a ground rod specifically for the PV array It is also a very good idea to have the lightning protection system of the building checked and upgraded if needed before the PV system is installed are there air conductors along the roof line of the building above...

Page 16: ...d AC and DC Disconnects It is recommended that the PV system AC and DC disconnects be located beside the inverter if possible but must conform to local code for your installation This placement will make the best use of the pre wired inverter feature and save installation time material and effort as well as making a simple reliable system If local code requirements call for the AC and or DC discon...

Page 17: ... or junction box to make the connections terminations to the L1 L2 and ground point As shipped the conduit fittings included on the inverter have the wires but no conduit in them The conduit is to be fitted during installation Measure and cut the 1 2 liquid tight metallic or non metallic flexible conduit to connect between the inverter s AC conduit fitting and the disconnect or junction box Next i...

Page 18: ...cuit s or fault s in the PV array or string s This allows some flexibility regarding PV string configurations including parallel strings with and without string fusing If string fusing is required for example on a large 2 3 string system the fused H361RB disconnect can be used No separate fused PV combination is required Refer to Square D Data Bulletin 3136DB0301 5 2003 for information There are m...

Page 19: ...ugh the wires are inside conduit fittings they have no conduit in them Measure and cut the 1 2 metallic or non metallic flexible conduit to go between the inverter s DC conduit fitting and the DC disconnect or junction box Next install a conduit fitting in the DC disconnect or junction box Thread the inverter s DC wires through the conduit and into the DC disconnect or junction box conduit fitting...

Page 20: ...no less than 125V DC Once there is enough PV power at 125V DC to back feed AC power switching will automatically feed power to the grid Because the inverter goes completely off line at night or in dark conditions when no power can be produced the standby losses are less than 0 25 Watt adding 1 2 additional energy production annually compared to some competitor s inverter designs that remain on all...

Page 21: ... shows the current operating condition The red LED Ground Fault shows if a ground fault is present If there is any ground current measured the value can be shown on the display scrolling through the display is necessary to locate the Ground Fault current value The yellow LED Error indicates whether there is an internal or external fault present and whether the AC grid back feed has been interrupte...

Page 22: ... VDC yellow red green initialization unit is being initialized yellow red green waiting presence of valid grid conditions is yellow checking grid being checked red green power output to grid normal daytime operation yellow MPP or constant voltage mode red green failure internal or external failure exact yellow description see display red ...

Page 23: ... 9 LCD Display Button ESC To move from the menu items into the main menu and also to leave the Setup menu Button and To scroll through the individual menu items or to make settings in the Setup menu Button To move around between the menu levels and to confirm inputs in the Setup menu Navigation within the display Display illumination Press any button to activate display illumination in Automatic m...

Page 24: ...f the menu items Actuation of the selection buttons allows you to scroll through the main menu The sub menus are then selected by pressing the Enter button Exit the menus by pressing the ESC button ESC ENTER 1 Menu N Now act data Sub Menu 2 Menu D Day statistic Sub Menu 3 Menu W Week statistic Sub Menu 4 Menu M Month statistic Sub Menu 5 Menu Y Year statistic Sub Menu 6 Menu T Total statistic Sub ...

Page 25: ...tage xxxx V Indication of the present AC current 3 N AC Current xxxx A Indication of the present grid frequency 4 N AC Frequency xxxx Hz Indication of the present solar array voltage 5 N Solar Voltage xxxx V Indication of the present solar array current 6 N Solar Current xxxx A Indication of the present ground current 7 N GFDI current xxxx A Indication of the present time 8 N Time HH MM SS Indicat...

Page 26: ...f the maximum power output during day 3 D AC power Max xxxx W Indication of the maximum AC voltage during the day 4 D AC Voltage Max xxx V Indication of the minimum AC voltage during the day 5 D AC Voltage Min xxx V Indication of the maximum AC current during the day 6 D AC Current Max xx x A Indication of the maximum frequency during the day 7 D AC Freq Max xx x Hz Indication of the minimum frequ...

Page 27: ...eekly revenue in dollars 2 W Revenue xxxxx xx Dollars Indication of the weekly operating time of inverter 3 W Runtime xxxx h Sub menu M Month This menu item is used to call up average values for the current month ESC ENTER 4 Menu M Month Indication of the monthly energy output 1 M Energy xxxx kWh Indication of the monthly revenue in dollars 2 M Revenue xxxxx xx Dollars Indication of the monthly op...

Page 28: ... menu T Total This menu item is used to call up values concerning the power fed to the grid since the PVI 1800 or PVI 2500 was first commissioned ESC ENTER 6 Menu T Total Indication of the total energy output 1 T Energy xxxxxx kWh Indication of the total revenue in dollars 2 T Revenue xxxxx xx Dollars Indication of the overall maximum PV voltage 3 T Sol Vol Max xxx V Indication of the overall maxi...

Page 29: ...2 S LCD Backlight setting Auto On Off Selection of default menu on the display 3 S Menu Mode setting Now Total the revenue per kWh 4 S Cash per kWH setting xx xx Dollars ID number of the inverter 5 S ID Number setting 001 254 Baudrate of the serial connection 6 S Baudrate setting 2400 38400 Setting the internal clock 7 S Time setting HH MM SS Setting the date 8 S Date setting WD MM DD YYYY AC cont...

Page 30: ...system Inter nal communication errors Internal communication errors are indicated when a problem arises in the device The technician responsible for servicing the device should be informed if the problem has been occurring over a long period of time Code Designation Condition Solution 101 Hardware error internal communication interrupted The device resumes feeding the grid with power when automati...

Page 31: ...oon as the grid frequency returns to its nominal value Check the grid frequency The service technician should be informed if this problem arises on a regular basis 205 Extreme grid over voltage The inverter switches over to normal power feed mode as soon as the power grid voltage returns to its nominal value Check the grid voltage The installer service technician should be informed if this problem...

Page 32: ...onnector panel may be blown If it is determine and repair ground fault and replace fuse with Bussmann GBB 1 250VAC or Little Fuse 3AB 1A 250VAC 314001 If the GDFI detects a ground fault current larger than 0 8A error 506 will be displayed In addition to that the current value can be read in the display Code Designation Condition Solution 506 Ground fault current larger than 0 8 A The device switch...

Page 33: ...s to its nominal value Check grid voltage The service technician should be informed it this problem occurs on a regular basis 207 Grid under voltage The inverter switches to normal power feed mode as soo n as the grid voltage returns to its nominal value Check grid voltage The service technician should be informed it this problem occurs on a regular basis 208 Extreme grid under voltage The inverte...

Page 34: ...on other products What will Solectria Renewables do Solectria Renewables will at its option repair or replace the defective product free of charge provided that you notify Solectria Renewables of the product defect within the Warranty Period for your product and provided that Solectria Renewables through inspection establishes the existence of such a defect and that it is covered by the Limited Wa...

Page 35: ...ustomer s electrical systems These warranties do not apply to and Solectria Renewables will not be responsible for any defect in or damage to a The product if it has been misused neglected improperly installed physically damaged or altered either internally or externally or damaged from improper use or use in an unsuitable environment b The product if it has been subjected to fire water generalize...

Page 36: ...extent permitted by applicable law they are limited to the duration of this Limited Warranty Some states and provinces do not allow limitations or exclusions on implied warranties or on the duration of an implied warranty or on the limitation or exclusion of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation s or exclusion s may not apply to you This Limited Warranty gives you specific le...

Page 37: ... of your dated proof of purchase Preparing the product for shipping 1 Package the unit safely preferably using the original box and packing materials Please ensure that your product is shipped fully insured in the original packaging or equivalent This warranty will not apply where the product is damaged due to improper packaging 2 Include the following a The RMA number supplied by Solectria Renewa...

Page 38: ...n bright sun See the following figure Fig 10 0 2 4 6 8 0 10 20 30 Voltage VDC DC Current A at 50 deg C at 20 deg C at 20 deg C Fig 10 Example representative 100W PV module voltage current characteristic at various cell temperatures Because PV modules also have a reduction in voltage at high cell temperatures you must make sure the MPP voltage of the strings will not drop below the minimum inverter...

Page 39: ...es less than 1 sun Because STC conditions are rarely achieved array over sizing of 10 20 achieves best overall economic trade off with inverter and array costs The maximum recommended power to be connected to the inverter is very much dependent on average weather conditions economic optimization tilt and of the array and orientation for example south or rotating array For arrays that are flat or n...

Page 40: ...1 per UL 1741 Ground fault protection NEC 690 5 NEC 690 5 Over current protection inverter limited inverter limited Short circuit protection per UL 1741 per UL 1741 Surge test per UL 1741 IEEE 62 41 per UL 1741 IEEE 62 41 Inverter peak Efficiency 94 1 94 2 Other specifications LCD Display Included Included Pre wired AC DC PV Connections Included Included Ambient Temperature 4o to 140o F 20o to 60o...

Page 41: ...put Power 2500 Output Power 1800 Fig 11 AC Output power of PVI 1800 PVI 2500 DC input current versus DC input voltage 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 400 DC Input Voltage VDC DC Input Current A Input current DC 1800W Input current DC 2500W Fig 12 Maximum continuous DC current input for PVI 1800 PVI 2500 strike voltage ...

Page 42: ...nd Operation Manual 42 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 0 300 600 900 1200 1500 1800 Power Watts Efficiency Fig 13a PVI 1800 efficiency plot 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Power Watts Efficiency Fig 13b PVI 2500 efficiency plot ...

Page 43: ...232 3 TXD RS232 4 GND RS232 RS485 5 TERM RS485 6 RX_B RS485 7 TX_A RS485 8 Not used 8 1 Top view Hint Both RJ45 connectors have the same pinout 5V 0R Not used Not used 0R TX_A RX_B TERM GND Representative RS485 schematic inside the inverter Pin 3 TD 2 RD 5 GND RS232 9pol Pin 2 RXD 3 TXD 4 GND RJ45 inverter RS 232 cable schematic 121R ...

Page 44: ...PVI 2500 Installation and Operation Manual 44 Appendix B See separate PVI 1800 PVI 2500 brochure The brochure can also be viewed on the website www solren com Link http www solren com downloads PVI 1800_2500 pdf ...

Page 45: ...ing charts look Please refer to the website version for complete and updated charts for use in all temperature zones across the country Updated string sizing tables are available on the website www solren com All string sizing charts in http www solren com products pwreleccomp html Specific PVI 1800 2500 Link http www solren com downloads PVI 1800_2500String pdf ...

Page 46: ...ion Solectria Renewables LLC 360 Merrimack Street Building 9 Lawrence Massachusetts USA Tel 978 683 9700 Fax 978 683 9702 Email inverters solren com Website www solren com Authorized Dealers and Installers see website www solren com Specific link http www solren com contact dist htm ...

Page 47: ...PVI 1800 PVI 2500 Installation and Operation Manual 47 Appendix E UL1741 Certification ...

Page 48: ...PVI 1800 PVI 2500 Installation and Operation Manual 48 ...

Page 49: ...PVI 1800 PVI 2500 Installation and Operation Manual 49 Appendix F Letter of Attestation IEEE C62 41 2002 ...

Page 50: ... 20050823 J Worden G H Tubbing Added screw ground lug on page 15 Switched paper size to A4 for correct printing of the manual 1 03 20050919 G H Tubbing Put description of error 506 in table Added one table with all error codes 1 04 1 04 3 1 04 4 20060103 20060720 20060926 T A Lens J Worden J Worden Added Letter of Attestation C62 41 Added text page 17 New String sizing examples for Appendix C and ...

Page 51: ...n Version Date Company To 1 00 20050714 DELTA SOLECTRIA W Bergmann J Worden 1 01 20050818 DELTA SOLECTRIA W Bergmann J Worden 1 02 20050923 DELTA SOLECTRIA W Bergmann J Worden 1 03 20050919 DELTA SOLECTRIA W Bergmann J Worden 1 04 4 20060926 DELTA SOLECTRIA W Bergmann J Worden ...