Tesla Powerwall, The Specs, Numbers, and Implementation Absolutely Brilliant

[donald]

Both slides imply that either the battery does not charge from the panels or that there is a sophisticated "fixed voltage" boost/buck interface inside the battery pack that allows the battery to charge from the same input voltage that it produces through a regulator.
I want to know a lot more about what would be in the StorEdge and the battery pack to make that happen.

The guy giving the presentation didn't understand charge controllers. A related question is handling multiple powerwalls, which he indicated they would do next year. The presenter also indicated many software controlled functions.

[ButchDeal]

Both slides imply that either the battery does not charge from the panels or that there is a sophisticated "fixed voltage" boost/buck interface inside the battery pack that allows the battery to charge from the same input voltage that it produces through a regulator.
I want to know a lot more about what would be in the StorEdge and the battery pack to make that happen.

The lecture mentioned that it will initially be only on the 7600 inverter and that there would be an upgrade option eventually for 7600 inverters. That there is a new disconnection section at the bottom of the inverter that adds a new DC connection for the battery and a another AC connection. They mentioned that their safe DC is integrated into the Tesla powerwall and that unlike the Solar optimizers, the battery optimizer shuts down to 0 volts not 1 volt.
There is a fixed voltage DC bus and the battery optimizer is the "sophisticated" interface.
The battery can be charged by grid power but that feature is disabled by default to get the federal incentive.

[SunEagle]

Both slides imply that either the battery does not charge from the panels or that there is a sophisticated "fixed voltage" boost/buck interface inside the battery pack that allows the battery to charge from the same input voltage that it produces through a regulator.
I want to know a lot more about what would be in the StorEdge and the battery pack to make that happen.

It's all done through FM.

[inetdog]

New solaedge slides. Their powerwall implementation revolves around a fixed current DC bus shared with the powerwall and power optimizers.

[ATTACH]7198[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]7199[/ATTACH]

Both slides imply that either the battery does not charge from the panels or that there is a sophisticated "fixed voltage" boost/buck interface inside the battery pack that allows the battery to charge from the same input voltage that it produces through a regulator.
I want to know a lot more about what would be in the StorEdge and the battery pack to make that happen.

[donald]

New solaedge slides. Their powerwall implementation revolves around a fixed current DC bus shared with the powerwall and power optimizers.

SE Powerwall jp.jpg
SE Optimizer.jpg

[SunEagle]

Here's a little storedge animation for a grid connected house. Not a lot of information, but shows the UI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgxVMoOL5pg

Nice graphics but a little unrealistic on how much kW a home will really use during the day and how big a battery is really needed to cover the consumption after the sun is no longer producing.

[donald]

Here's a little storedge animation for a grid connected house. Not a lot of information, but shows the UI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgxVMoOL5pg

[North Texas]

Hopefully this will help drive the market to design better battery storage.

[donald]

More powerwall info:

http://storage.pv-tech.org/news/solaredge-customers-to-get-tesla-powerwall-batteries-within-six-months

related:

http://storage.pv-tech.org/guest-blog/high-voltage-or-low-voltage-whats-the-right-solution-for-household-pv-plus

[inetdog]

Everyone adding a proper generator connection does a transfer switch and often circuit control. It is not expensive. Especially if the electrician is into the main panel anyways installing the inverter. In the U.S. there are UL approved devices that work by simply redirecting the hot wire of each circuit to be controlled into the generator/battery powered sub panel. In this setup the main panel is completely without power when the generator/battery is energizing selected circuits in backup mode. It is a simple and safe solution.

However, you would need a SolarEdge inverter modified for standalone use or a second inverter just for backup.
The other problem is that to function as a hybrid system the GTI would have to be optionally connected directly to the grid, the opposite of what a transfer switch normally enforces.
This is one reason that a typical AC coupled hybrid inverter has an internal transfer switch which can essentially be bypassed during GTI mode operation and activated before going into standalone generation mode.

PS: For normal GTI-only installations which also include generator backup the GTI must be hard connected on the POCO side of the generator transfer switch rather than the load side of that switch.

[lkruper]

I've used Reliance, it's the most common in the U.S. Be sure to get the right one for your generators power cord plug.
A transfer switch without the secondary panel works too. Just kill the circuits on the main panel that shouldn't be powered while using the generator.

I did not see one that takes a 110v power cord (I have a Smarter Tools 1600w inverter generator) so I was going to have a 110v male to 30 amp 4 prong female made up that makes two prongs live at the 30 amp end.

[donald]

I am looking at Reliance Controls which comes pre-wired, but it allows the circuits not being re-directed to function normally. Can you share the device to which you refer? I am simply looking for a manual transfer switch for a small portable generator.

I've used Reliance, it's the most common in the U.S. Be sure to get the right one for your generators power cord plug.
A transfer switch without the secondary panel works too. Just kill the circuits on the main panel that shouldn't be powered while using the generator.

[lkruper]

Everyone adding a proper generator connection does a transfer switch and often circuit control. It is not expensive. Especially if the electrician is into the main panel anyways installing the inverter. In the U.S. there are UL approved devices that work by simply redirecting the hot wire of each circuit to be controlled into the generator/battery powered sub panel. In this setup the main panel is completely without power when the generator/battery is energizing selected circuits in backup mode. It is a simple and safe solution.

I am looking at Reliance Controls which comes pre-wired, but it allows the circuits not being re-directed to function normally. Can you share the device to which you refer? I am simply looking for a manual transfer switch for a small portable generator.

[tehan]

It is a simple and safe solution.

I agree. In the past, off-grid inverters have been much more expensive than grid-tied inverters. This seems to have convinced some people that off-grid is hard. It isn't. It will be interesting to see if the niche off-grid manufacturers (e.g. Outback etc.) can survive the coming onslaught from SolarEdge, Enphase etc..

[donald]

That might be so BUT if you are planning to add a Powerwall to a SolarEdge inverter you don't have a backup solution without adding quite a bit of equipment. The SolarEdge system can easily be adapted to have time of use shifting with a software update and set of clamps to measure consumption. To get backup capability you will need a bit more equipment at minimum to disconnect from the grid and probably a sub panel for emergency loads... so a bit more money.

Everyone adding a proper generator connection does a transfer switch and often circuit control. It is not expensive. Especially if the electrician is into the main panel anyways installing the inverter. In the U.S. there are UL approved devices that work by simply redirecting the hot wire of each circuit to be controlled into the generator/battery powered sub panel. In this setup the main panel is completely without power when the generator/battery is energizing selected circuits in backup mode. It is a simple and safe solution.