Xantrex MPPT Charge controllers

[Sunking]

Get the manual for your batteries, you need to come up with a setpoint to be able to keep the batteries in float, and use surplus power to sell to grid.

Granted it has been a while since I worked with the Xantrex hybrid inverters, but the sell set point should be disabled as in never. With that said the float voltage less critical. Once charged up an dfloating batteries does not use very much power. On the order of C/100 or greater.

understand how to hook up your 240VAC generator to AC2, as you will eventually need it in case of
a grid failure. Do you have the XW autostart module, or will you manually start ?

Which brings up an interesting questions that need to be answered. Really just one question.

If you have commercial utility power, generator, and grid tied solar; Why would one need Batteries and a Hybrid Inverter?

Only answers I can come up with is maybe if you are taking Insulin, Oxygen or other life support systems that require power.

[maple flats]

There are 2 reasons I need emergency power. First is my Reverse Osmosis (RO, which is used to remove some of the water from the maple sap, like 75% first pass, less on second pass) equipment which can NEVER freeze. The heat for that is 3 light bulbs @ 100 watts each. The RO can be heated with just 1 but the 3 are to ensure there is heat in that super insulated room and the bulbs are on a thermostat and dedicated breaker for this purpose. The second reason is for emergency lighting if I have customers in the sugarhouse when the power goes out, (required by code and my insurance co.). Yes, I could just get back up emergency lighting, but since my system evolved from a battery based off grid system to the currant grid tied one I had the batteries, the inverter and the system control panel (SCP) in place when the grid was connected. The second reason is that I have removed the generator (a diesel powered unit) from service because of a neighbor who complained more than once that his wife sent him over to ask me to shut it down. She claimed the exhaust fumes were drifting towards and into their house and giving her a headache. While the distance is about 1000' I didn't want to get into neighbor issues. If I ever decide to connect a backup generator I'll most likely get a small propane one and run auto start gen. in the inverter.
It is my understanding that the charging abnd selling of power in my system is sore of like a valve in a water tank. The water always flows (while the sun is shining in my case) and fills the batteries. If the settings are correct this inlet valve is never closed but rather a second valve in essance open to let the overflow run to the grid. This overflow valve needs to be set to allow the batteries to remain fully charged without being overcharged. This is where I was told the CC needs to talk to the inverter and vise versa.