Hello,
Please bear with me. I need to explain my setup first.
I am an owner of the soar panel system. The system went live in mid 2016 and since that time the installer is no longer in the business. For the most part the system runs without any issues.
Original system has 34 - 300W panels connecting to SolarEdge inverter.
The design looks like this
solarpanellayout-orgsm.jpg
I installed 5 more panels. I used IronRidge rails and brackets, P300 SolarEdge Power Optimizer and 250W Panels. I tried to follow installation codes as close as possible, so please dont rif on me for this.
7773691249279647102SM.jpg
I ran the 10 gauge solar PV cable and a copper ground inside the flex electrical conduit against the walls and connected to the power optimizer on the panel 1.2.14.
20200309_162823sm.jpg
I checked to make sure that the (+)(-) from the new array connects to the (-)(+) of the Power optimizer on the 1.2.14 panel.
This image is just a drawing, the new panels have not be added to the site in the solaredge portal
solarpanellayout1sm.jpg
After performing the initialization and pairing all 39 power optimizers were found, however, it also display Isolation error 2x19. The system starts up, initializing then restarts again.
25 2x19 121 8x58 Isolation Fault PV solar array is not properly isolated from ground earth. Check the PV installation for isolation problems and ground leakage. Only a certified PV installer must fix the faulty string before connecting it to the inverter. ... Turn OFF the inverters in the site and verify AC grid voltage.
After I unplugged the new array from the system. (I unplugged the cable from panel 1.2.16 and closed the loop by connecting the cables together).
After performing the initialization the system started and were reporting 34 panels. However, while researching the "isolation error" I found out that I can perform Isolation test in the inverter. The test shows the following:
20200310_090713sm.jpg
From what I gathered the Normal KOms should be 11000 and percentage should be 50. So even with out the new array there is a grounding issue somewhere. But from what I can tell the original system works OK. I ran this test fir the first time and only just found out about it. I would not even found out there is a problem if wasn't for me try adding additional panels.
I called solaredge and the tech told that the issue could be in many different places and I would need to get an installer to run diagnostics. Since my installer no longer in business...
1. How serious is this issue?
2. Does it diminishes the system performance in anyway?
3. Can I somehow diagnose it my self?
4. What are my options at this point?
There not that many solar companies in my area that do maintenance. The once that do, charge $199 just to come out and do diagnostics, there is additional charge to fix it. Also since I am trying to add additional panels myself, the new installer may not want to touch the system.
Regarding the new array
1. How do I test to see where is there grounding issue?
I know there are many questions here. I would appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you
Please bear with me. I need to explain my setup first.
I am an owner of the soar panel system. The system went live in mid 2016 and since that time the installer is no longer in the business. For the most part the system runs without any issues.
Original system has 34 - 300W panels connecting to SolarEdge inverter.
The design looks like this
solarpanellayout-orgsm.jpg
I installed 5 more panels. I used IronRidge rails and brackets, P300 SolarEdge Power Optimizer and 250W Panels. I tried to follow installation codes as close as possible, so please dont rif on me for this.
7773691249279647102SM.jpg
I ran the 10 gauge solar PV cable and a copper ground inside the flex electrical conduit against the walls and connected to the power optimizer on the panel 1.2.14.
20200309_162823sm.jpg
I checked to make sure that the (+)(-) from the new array connects to the (-)(+) of the Power optimizer on the 1.2.14 panel.
This image is just a drawing, the new panels have not be added to the site in the solaredge portal
solarpanellayout1sm.jpg
After performing the initialization and pairing all 39 power optimizers were found, however, it also display Isolation error 2x19. The system starts up, initializing then restarts again.
25 2x19 121 8x58 Isolation Fault PV solar array is not properly isolated from ground earth. Check the PV installation for isolation problems and ground leakage. Only a certified PV installer must fix the faulty string before connecting it to the inverter. ... Turn OFF the inverters in the site and verify AC grid voltage.
After I unplugged the new array from the system. (I unplugged the cable from panel 1.2.16 and closed the loop by connecting the cables together).
After performing the initialization the system started and were reporting 34 panels. However, while researching the "isolation error" I found out that I can perform Isolation test in the inverter. The test shows the following:
20200310_090713sm.jpg
From what I gathered the Normal KOms should be 11000 and percentage should be 50. So even with out the new array there is a grounding issue somewhere. But from what I can tell the original system works OK. I ran this test fir the first time and only just found out about it. I would not even found out there is a problem if wasn't for me try adding additional panels.
I called solaredge and the tech told that the issue could be in many different places and I would need to get an installer to run diagnostics. Since my installer no longer in business...
1. How serious is this issue?
2. Does it diminishes the system performance in anyway?
3. Can I somehow diagnose it my self?
4. What are my options at this point?
There not that many solar companies in my area that do maintenance. The once that do, charge $199 just to come out and do diagnostics, there is additional charge to fix it. Also since I am trying to add additional panels myself, the new installer may not want to touch the system.
Regarding the new array
1. How do I test to see where is there grounding issue?
I know there are many questions here. I would appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you
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