A hello from me

[powerbynature]

not sure if I should post a hello here or else where - it's not clear

Anyway I'm sure it will get moved if in the wrong place.

I'm JP - Joined the board as I'm doing quite a bit of work with solar panels at the moment, all DIY builds in the back garden trying to save money.  Been trying quite a lot and the moment have a solar panel feeding a battery hooked up to a inverter and 300 watts hooked up to a grid tie inverter (G83 one  )

I'll no doubt have a lot of questions as always looking at new technology and ways to save money in the long run!

[clockmanFR]

Hi powerbynature, and welcome.

Since you have been 'experimenting' tell me, your grid tie inverter how is it functioning at 300w i am very interested in how you wired it in.

Let me explain. Early next year i will be installing a 3kw PV system on 2 tracker arrays, but will not be grid tied. (The Tracker arrays are my design and the panels them selves hopefully will be film type).
 I wish to use an inverter that will kick out sufficient power to run domestic circuits when the sun comes up. Now it would be nice to have some way of getting my PV inverter to sync with the normal mains, with out it feeding back into the mains.
Yes probably impossible, and therefore i will have to install more circuit switch over switches.

Keep trying things out. 

[biff]

welcome to the forum powerbynature,
                            i hope you find the information you seek and get to understand the limits of the 300watt versus your battery pack.it is all a learning curve and a very pleasent one at that.
 hi clockman, i think the sunnyboy island does what you require, ?
                                                                                  biff

[powerbynature]

Hi powerbynature, and welcome.

Since you have been 'experimenting' tell me, your grid tie inverter how is it functioning at 300w i am very interested in how you wired it in.

Let me explain. Early next year i will be installing a 3kw PV system on 2 tracker arrays, but will not be grid tied. (The Tracker arrays are my design and the panels them selves hopefully will be film type).
 I wish to use an inverter that will kick out sufficient power to run domestic circuits when the sun comes up. Now it would be nice to have some way of getting my PV inverter to sync with the normal mains, with out it feeding back into the mains.
Yes probably impossible, and therefore i will have to install more circuit switch over switches.

Keep trying things out. 

Hi, I'm using a Mastervolt Soladin 600 inverter and the panels are connected in serial formation.  The Soladin 600 is a UK one so it basically does everything for you.  All I need to do is connected the panels (MC4 connectors) to the inverter and its done.  The unit is G83 registered and will sync with the mains.  Mains go off the inverter also shuts down so nothing really for me to do.

Basically as I'm not applying for the FIT it's just a way to reduce the electric I draw from the mains thus reducing my electric bills and hopefully by a good amount (good amount if I maybe add in a couple more panels).

I'm also monitoring everything, I bought one of those OWL monitoring systems so I can see the electric usage.  Not done much testing though as I need another panel.  The Soladin needs 45v to start up and I only have 2 100w panels at the moment (12v) so waiting on the third.  Once I get that (hopefully Monday) I can do some real testing to see how good of a idea this whole thing is

[clockmanFR]

Right oh biff.
Now a Sunnygirl on an Island well there's a thought.
Okay will start researching it.

[clockmanFR]

powerbynature,
Many thanks for the info, i will look into your inverter.

[powerbynature]

They seem like good inverters and do range in power.  They also offer a wind turbine one however both types are expensive.

I started looking it up and rang up the company that makes them for more information and they were no help, fobbed me off to another company so if you seek information on them don't ask the company who makes them 

[biff]

you are welcome clockman,
                       billi has some good information on the same subject.i think he posted on a thread way back that he had something working along those lines,however it would stop working when something else was switched on,,,,i think..maybe he will throw us a link to the same.i have a similar need
                                                                                                                                                              biff

[billi]

Hi

To selfuse most /all your own produced electricity i  suppose one needs  a battery based off grid inverter/charger (like sunny island , Victron multi plus ...) system that works together  with a Grid tie inverter ( or /and a solar charge controller )

the grid is then connected to the AC-in  of the battery based inverter and  just supplies  when asked by the inverter to do so

Billi