PVI 3000S, 4000S, 5000S, 5300 Series Inverters
Installation and Operation Manual (Rev A)
7
1.0 Introduction
The PVI 3000S, PVI 4000S, PVI 5000S and PVI 5300 are residential/commercial single phase, grid-
tied PV inverters designed to be inter-connected to the electric utility grid. With this manual the
PVI 3000S, PVI 4000S, PVI 5000S, and PVI 5300 can be installed and operated safely. This
installation guide is used as reference for commissioning and as a guideline on how to use the
inverter most effectively.
Feeding power onto the grid involves conversion of the DC-voltage from the PV-array to grid
compatible AC-voltage by “inverting” DC to AC. This unit feeds power into a standard 240 VAC
split phase electrical system or two legs (phase to phase) of a 208 VAC, 3-phase commercial,
industrial or institutional facility’s electrical system that is connected to the electric utility grid.
The inverters are not capable of feeding currents back into the PV array from the AC source,
which include, short circuit(s) or fault(s) in the PV array or string(s).
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 onto the utility grid. If the facility is using more
power than the PV system is providing, then the utility grid provides the balance of power. If the
facility is using less power than the PV system is generating, then the excess is fed into the utility
grid.
Be sure to look into local regulations regarding net metering/inter-connection in your local area.
Note that some utilities need to change their revenue kWh meter for proper net metering
measurement or incentives/billing.
Photovoltaic Array
PVI 3000S
PVI 4000S
PVI 5000S
PVI 5300
Electric Utility Grid
Figure 1.1 – Grid-Tied Inverter Application