Grid Inverters, are there any worth buying ?

[Alan]

Grid Inverters, are there any worth buying ?

I have a Master Volt Soladin 600. U.K. spec. I have tested my one with a variac. ( variable voltage transformer )
under voltage setting at 200 V.A.C.
over voltage setting at 257 V.A.C.
I have tried it with a constant voltage transformer to eliminate grid surge problems.

D.C. input voltage is constant at 105 volts by electronic well smoothed supply.

Does it work. Yes when it feels like it, maybe 30 % of the time. There is no set pattern to when it decides to have a rest, sometimes just as the cooling fan starts up.

As per previous posts the hardware is very nice ( printed circuit board design ) what really lets it down is very weak software.

Is it worth buying. No

Windy Boy 6 K.W.

It has never failed on Grid A.C. under / over voltage problems.
The software is good.

I could write several books on why not to purchase one of them.

Is it worth buying No.

Has any one got any info on an inverter that is fit for purpose.

Regards

Alan

P.S. Any one got any stuffed one that I could evaluate why they failed.

[paulg25]

Hello

I have been doing a lot of research on this and as far as I can tell the only Grid Tie inverter designed specifically for wind turbine use is the Magnatek Aurora.  The others are modified PV inverters.

Paul

[Ivan]

Is the magnatek G83 yet? I spoke to them a few years ago, and was very interested in representing them in the UK, but after many 'it will be ready in 3 months time' emails, I eventually gave up, as clearly development was taking longer than anticipated. It did look good, when I first investigated, though.

Having said that, I haven't heard of anyone using them yet...

[paulg25]

Hello Ivan

According to the data sheet for the Aurora 3600 it has G83/1 approval.

Regards

Paul

[Ivan]

I would expect them to have it by now....but then again, when I first enquired, their tech info stated that it was g83 approved, but they told me they'd done this 'in preparation'!

[merkland]

Having seen the reference to the Magnetek Aurora above I thought I would check it out in the course of which I came across this item: http://www.power-one.com/resources/AlternativeEnergy/mwiuk2.pdf
It looks like the ideal inverter, grid-tie or stand-alone with multiple inputs - wind/solar/battery/ generator.
Where is the catch apart from it not stating G83 compliance?
I have not established what it would cost, probably need a mortgage to buy one!

[dhaslam]

They don't seem all that expensive, at least in the US.   5Kw  may be a bit limiting.   

www.solacity.com/Pricing.htm

[paulg25]

Hi
I got a price from power one for the 3.6KW version for wind use.  Came to around £1500 plus VAT I guess.  The big plus point as far as I can see for this inverter is that it will start working with as little as 50V on its input.  The others I have come across seem to need at least 150V.  This makes it much more suitable for wind turbine use.  One system I came across had a turbine that had an output of up to 200V and an inverter that needed at least 175V to start working!  So will spend much of it's time spinning but not producing any electricity.

I am about to order (subject to network provider permission to connect) a 5KW turbine complete with 6KW Aurora inverter.

Paul

[Alan]

Hello Paul

Not had time to look into spec / details of  the Aurora inverters

Will you end up with the ability to change parameters in the inverter.

Or do they try to interpret the voltage / wind speed curve and enter curve / current  for you.

It would be far better if you can change software your self.

Will try to look later.

Regards

Alan

[paulg25]

Hi Alan

Dont know if I will have access to the parameters yet ( I hope so, being an electronics engineer!).  The company supplying the kit are local to me (5 miles away) and want to connect it to the web so they can monitor performance and I assume tweak the settings remotely.

Will keep you posted.

Paul

[Alan]

Hello Paul

Hope you have more success with the Power One inverter than I am having. After lots of bounced E Mails. Been told availability ( Maybe end of summer ) Wot A Way To Run A Company.

Regards

Alan

P.S.  The Power One 6 K.W. has not got G83 certification.

[paulg25]

Hello Alan

My installer is getting the 6KW Magnatec Inverter from a company in Milton Keynes, they have one in stock.  I am told it is G83 certified and Central Networks have given me permission to connect it to the grid.

Will keep you posted.

Regards

Paul

[Alan]

Hello Paul

I spoke to the U.K. sales engineer for Power One ( Magnatec ) Paul Meham. ( sorry for Spelling ) He said the 6 K.W. has not got G83 approval. He also said I could not purchase any equipment until the end of the summer.

The specification of the equipment looks good. But I could produce a sales Blerb.

Regards

Alan

[paulg25]

Hi Alan

This is all a bit strange.  My installer is off to somewhere in Milton Keynes today to pick up a 6KW Magnatec Aurora inverter!!  I'll try and find out who he is getting it from.  He also says he has a copy of the G83 approval! (this has just been obtained).  Central Networks have given me permission to connect it regardless.

Will keep you updated.

Best regards

Paul

[paulg25]

Hello Alan

I spoke to my installer last night.  He is getting the 6KW Aurora inverter from Magnetek in Milton Keynes.

I have been looking on the web again and now cannot decide who makes it!! Is it made by Magnetek or Power One?!!!

Anyway, my installer has been over and seen it and was very impressed.

Installation starts on the 1st July. (I have already poured the foundations).

Regards

Paul