SMA SB6000TL-US vs. SMA SB5000-TL-US

[wirebender06]

Can I get opinions on 2 proposals? I don't know enough at this point to understand how inverters work.

I have 2 proposals with exactly the same panels (48 SPR-E20-245 panels)

One comes in with 2 SMA SB5000TL-US inverters and the other with the SMA SB6000TL-US.

From my basic understanding, the SB6000 will be able to take in and output more power. For this system though, any opinions on if there is a need for one over the other.

Also, does anyone know typically what the price difference between the 2 would be?

Thanks in advance.

J

[inetdog]

Can I get opinions on 2 proposals? I don't know enough at this point to understand how inverters work.

I have 2 proposals with exactly the same panels (48 SPR-E20-245 panels)

One comes in with 2 SMA SB5000TL-US inverters and the other with the SMA SB6000TL-US.

From my basic understanding, the SB6000 will be able to take in and output more power. For this system though, any opinions on if there is a need for one over the other.

Also, does anyone know typically what the price difference between the 2 would be?

Thanks in advance.

J

Well, if you look at the nominal rating of 48 panels, that would be 48 x 245 or 11760 watts. If they are all facing in the same direction, that is too much power at solar noon for either of the inverters you mentioned. If they are half east or southeast facing and half west or southwest facing, then the two sub arrays will deliver peak power at different times and so might be OK with either of the two inverters. I assume that the SMA models are actually the -22 variety which has two separate MPPT inputs. That would allow for good performance even if the two sub arrays are unequally partially shaded.
So, without knowing more about the orientation of the panels, including the azimuth angle (angle to horizontal), I can't tell you whether the 6000 would be enough better to justify the price.
If you want the Secure Power Supply feature, make sure that is included in the contract, since reportedly SMA has made the SPS optional in the -22 models without mentioning that on their website.

[sensij]

Deleted. Bad post.

[wirebender06]

Well, if you look at the nominal rating of 48 panels, that would be 48 x 245 or 11760 watts. If they are all facing in the same direction, that is too much power at solar noon for either of the inverters you mentioned. If they are half east or southeast facing and half west or southwest facing, then the two sub arrays will deliver peak power at different times and so might be OK with either of the two inverters. I assume that the SMA models are actually the -22 variety which has two separate MPPT inputs. That would allow for good performance even if the two sub arrays are unequally partially shaded.
So, without knowing more about the orientation of the panels, including the azimuth angle (angle to horizontal), I can't tell you whether the 6000 would be enough better to justify the price.
If you want the Secure Power Supply feature, make sure that is included in the contract, since reportedly SMA has made the SPS optional in the -22 models without mentioning that on their website.

They are the -22 model, I'll have to look up the details for you in the morning. I can tell you that half the panels are facing south and the other half are on the west side of the roof. No shading issues on the 2nd story.

[Naptown]

Both will work but it depends on how they set up the sub arrays.
If all the south and all the west facing are on separate inverters then use the 6000
If. 1/2 the south and 1/2 the west are on one inverter and the other half set up the same than the 5000 will work

[PVAndy]

Well, if you look at the nominal rating of 48 panels, that would be 48 x 245 or 11760 watts. If they are all facing in the same direction, that is too much power at solar noon for either of the inverters you mentioned. If they are half east or southeast facing and half west or southwest facing, then the two sub arrays will deliver peak power at different times and so might be OK with either of the two inverters. I assume that the SMA models are actually the -22 variety which has two separate MPPT inputs. That would allow for good performance even if the two sub arrays are unequally partially shaded.
So, without knowing more about the orientation of the panels, including the azimuth angle (angle to horizontal), I can't tell you whether the 6000 would be enough better to justify the price.
If you want the Secure Power Supply feature, make sure that is included in the contract, since reportedly SMA has made the SPS optional in the -22 models without mentioning that on their website.

I'm not sure if you missed the fact that they are quoting 2 inverters. if you use 2 5k's it'll be a DC/AC ratio of 1.17
with 2 6kW the DC/AC ratio is below 1. Either one is acceptable.

On my personal system I am running 15 kW DC of panels into a pair of SunnyBoy 6000TL-US-22 on an east west array

I'd probably go with the 2 5 kW inverters for this system and I don't believe you'll see much if any ciipping.

BTW the 6 kW has a fan the 5 kW doesn't

Andy
NABCEP Certified Installation Professional
Solar Design Engineer

[wirebender06]

I'm not sure if you missed the fact that they are quoting 2 inverters. if you use 2 5k's it'll be a DC/AC ratio of 1.17
with 2 6kW the DC/AC ratio is below 1. Either one is acceptable.

On my personal system I am running 15 kW DC of panels into a pair of SunnyBoy 6000TL-US-22 on an east west array

I'd probably go with the 2 5 kW inverters for this system and I don't believe you'll see much if any ciipping.

BTW the 6 kW has a fan the 5 kW doesn't

Andy
NABCEP Certified Installation Professional
Solar Design Engineer

Thanks Andy, I did notice that there are 2 inverters. I was just wondering if having 2 6000's is overkill and added unnecessary cost.

BTW, does anyone know the different in cost between the 2 models?

[sensij]

If you have a proposal for each system, the price difference is whatever the installer says it is. If you were buying components yourself from a site like Civicsolar.com, the price difference is around $400 for each inverter.

[silversaver]

Thanks Andy, I did notice that there are 2 inverters. I was just wondering if having 2 6000's is overkill and added unnecessary cost.

BTW, does anyone know the different in cost between the 2 models?

The cost is not too much apart. The SB6000TL-US-22 came with build in cooling fan and the 5000TL-US-22 without. They both look exactly the same from outside. The efficiency on TL5000 is little higher (0.2%) and you probably don't see any different in outputs.

[wirebender06]

The cost is not too much apart. The SB6000TL-US-22 came with build in cooling fan and the 5000TL-US-22 without. They both look exactly the same from outside. The efficiency on TL5000 is little higher (0.2%) and you probably don't see any different in outputs.

Good to know they aren't much apart in cost.

[SunEagle]

I would say one difference is the rating of the output of a 5000 watt as compared to the 6000 watt inverter. That is how the amp rating of the circuit breaker is calculated. The total amp output for two 6000 watts may exceed the available capacity that you can connect to your main circuit breaker panel.

You may have the available panel capacity for two 6k inverters but you should check to see first because you may have to increase the main panel size to accommodate the higher pv source load.

[inetdog]

I would say one difference is the rating of the output of a 5000 watt as compared to the 6000 watt inverter. That is how the amp rating of the circuit breaker is calculated. The total amp output for two 6000 watts may exceed the available capacity that you can connect to your main circuit breaker panel.

You may have the available panel capacity for two 6k inverters but you should check to see first because you may have to increase the main panel size to accommodate the higher pv source load.

Or just make a supply side connection instead, if your POCO will allow it....

[SunEagle]

Or just make a supply side connection instead, if your POCO will allow it....

Yep. That is an option.

I just wanted to throw a heads up that getting a bigger inverter for a few dollars more may sound good but there are other issues that need to be addressed like connecting to the main panel due to higher output ratings.

[PVAndy]

Yep. That is an option.

I just wanted to throw a heads up that getting a bigger inverter for a few dollars more may sound good but there are other issues that need to be addressed like connecting to the main panel due to higher output ratings.

There really isn't any difference backfeeding between a 10 KW or 12 kW.AC System On a 200 A main even with a 225A buss they'll both require a line side tap.

Andy

[SunEagle]

There really isn't any difference backfeeding between a 10 KW or 12 kW.AC System On a 200 A main even with a 225A buss they'll both require a line side tap.

Andy

Good point. Thanks for the info.