3-phase hybrid inverters?

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jonescg
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3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by jonescg »

Edited - I'm broadening this thread to any 3-phase hybrid inverter...

https://www.solaronline.com.au/9000w-im ... erter.html
imeon-912.png
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Does anyone have experience with these inverters? It seems like a solid product, and with plenty of power it won't have any trouble managing a 7 kW EV charge from a battery.

It's good in that it's a DC coupled 3-phase hybrid inverter, but man its not cheap. Best part of $7000. Not sure I can justify installing this beast, but it's nice to know there are 3-phase inverters out there which can work on battery voltages less than 400 V DC.
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Re: IMEON inverters?

Post by coulomb »

jonescg wrote: Sun, 28 Apr 2019, 19:39
Does anyone have experience with these inverters?
Not directly at all. However, I've heard more than a few grumbles over at the Power Forum.

Every inverter has its failures, and many suppliers can be obstinate about replacing expensive parts that blow up. But I would hope for better, especially at the price.

https://powerforum.co.za/topic/1425-pic ... 6-failure/
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Re: IMEON inverters?

Post by jonescg »

Hmmm, wonder if they fixed their corrosion issues by now. We're a long way from the sea but the inverter would be pretty exposed...
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by jonescg »

So I have been looking harder for an inverter which will suit.

I have a three phase grid connection, but the only three-phase appliance is the reverse cycle aircon. I think it's a 3 kW unit.

Western Power demands that any three-phase connected home have loads balanced across all three phases. It also states that you cannot feed more than 3 kW back on one phase (the limit is 5 kW single phase, 10 kW three phase, but no more than 3 kW single phase if it's a three-phase home).

It would be easier if I can find a 3-phase hybrid inverter with the following attibutes:

- it is a single unit (not three units)
- it is IP65 rated. The location is exposed, but I do hope to put a shelter of some kind out there.
- it operates on a three-phase grid connection
- it has two MPPT inputs, as I have an east-west split rooftop
- it operates on a 48 volt battery with minimal BMS communications - the BMS can look after itself.

There are some inverters which meet these conditions except one, usually the voltage of the battery (eg the Goodwe ET series or the Fronius hybrids, which does 3-phase, but needs a 150-600 V DC battery)

Any experience out there with this dillema?
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by jonescg »

Looks like the MPI 10K series from MPP Solar look like the best option, however they are not currently AS4777 compliant (as far as I can tell).
https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/mpi-hybrid-series-2/
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by brendon_m »

According to the features tab (third tick up from the bottom) they are compliant
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by jonescg »

Yeah and I just had the Australian rep confirm AS4777 compliance. I think it would just be a case of convincing Western Power it's good to go.

As to the quality, well we'll have to wait and see :)
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by coulomb »

jonescg wrote: Thu, 01 Aug 2019, 13:05
As to the quality, well we'll have to wait and see :)
Also, it's IP20, a little short of one of your criteria :o
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by jonescg »

I expect to build an undercover area there so the wall would be protected from any water regardless.

I was sent a copy of the AS4777 compliance document. I note that while the MPI 10k inverter meets AS4777.2:2015 Western Power demands it meets the 2016 regulations:
https://westernpower.com.au/media/2495/ ... 170828.pdf

Is this an issue? I suspect it might be as the 2016 regs included update concerning DRED and communications...
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by jonescg »

While the hot water system was being installed, the sparkies had the cover off the meter box so I could have a look at what lies beneath.

*Daryl Kerrigan voice* See that three-phase A/C system? Fake ;)
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Turns out it's single phase! Makes sense because it only ever drew about 3 kW full tilt. Only the left most breaker has anything attached to it.

But you can see that the east side of the house is on L1, the west side is on L2 and the lights and shed are on L3. There is no reason this couldn't be a single phase home, but the downgrade to single phase costs about $850. So I might try and stick with three phase if I can.
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by jonescg »

Reviving an old thread here, primarily because I have sourced a stack of high quality panels at a good price.
I was hoping to pick up used panels from Gumtree and put them on the roof, but it seems solar installations are getting tougher on what you can, and can't put on a roof these days.
I bought 28 of the Canadian Solar 280 W, 60-cell panels. They were on special for $62 each. This is a little over 7 kW peak, which is just enough to fit across both the eastern and western roofs. So whatever inverter I get needs to be:

~10 kW peak
Hybrid (Grid tie, DC coupled with battery)
3-phase AC output
48 volt battery compatible
Dual MPPT to 500 VDC
Weatherproof to some extent (although I will be putting an awning out)

So far it looks like the MPP Solar product is my least-worst option, assuming Western Power are OK with it.
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by paulvk »

assuming Western Power are OK with it
Probably not as it has to be on the list of approved units
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Re: 3-phase hybrid inverters?

Post by jonescg »

paulvk wrote: Mon, 16 Dec 2019, 18:24
assuming Western Power are OK with it
Probably not as it has to be on the list of approved units
Apparently it can still be installed if it's not on the CEC approved list, it's just not as easy. But until I find someone offering a DC coupled, 3-phase, 10 kW, Dual MPPT hybrid inverter, I think this one might be my best bet.
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