Mounting inverter in Phoenix: Garage or Outside?

[silversaver]

I know there are smaller inverters with dual MPPTs (like the Power One 6000US), that's what I said. I could do two inverters and have a total of 4 strings x 12 panels. It would still have to be the same layout so I don't see any real advantage, do you?

I'm actually trying to make the install as simple as possible (4x12, 1 inverter). It's everyone else saying to go with multiple inverters which would make it more complicated.

Actually there's more things that you have no idea at all. AND, you don't listen.... What's the point keep asking questions?

[Mb190e]

I'm really on the SolarEdge bandwagon though, seems ideal and I don't see any downsides at all, aside from additional cost.

About three weeks before my install, my installer was now going to be offering SolarEdge optimizers. He offer to do mine for the same price as the two SMA string inverters. I liked all the positive things that everybody else likes with the individual panel monitoring, clipping and they're suppose to start up earlier than the string inverter. The only things that made me nervous is it's a fairly new company, you need to have Wi-Fi for the optimizers to communicate with the inverter and the optimizers only work with SolarEdge inverter. When the time comes to replace the inverter, and the company is not around the optimizers are no good. I could not find enough people and reviews of people using them to make the jump.

[HX_Guy]

Seriously, you know nothing about shading. You keep asking questions and then keep telling people the answer. using 1 inverter for all you solar arrays is not your installer's fault, it is the guy who wants to keep saving money and asking for trouble. You probably better off burn the money.

BTW, reading your threads is fun. Remind me the story "Man of La Mancha"

Actually it is the installer who designed the system with one inverter and was ready to move forward. I'm the one that suggested two inverters and asked for a quote.

And I've done enough research to have some understand about shading, at least in a worst case scenario situation with is how I figured my calculations.

I'm not sure why you get so angry, don't read/reply to my posts if it upsets you that much.

[HX_Guy]

About three weeks before my install, my installer was now going to be offering SolarEdge optimizers. He offer to do mine for the same price as the two SMA string inverters. I liked all the positive things that everybody else likes with the individual panel monitoring, clipping and they're suppose to start up earlier than the string inverter. The only things that made me nervous is it's a fairly new company, you need to have Wi-Fi for the optimizers to communicate with the inverter and the optimizers only work with SolarEdge inverter. When the time comes to replace the inverter, and the company is not around the optimizers are no good. I could not find enough people and reviews of people using them to make the jump.

Wifi is not required, it's actually optional. The SolarEdge inverter comes standard with a ethernet connection (and has other communication connections as well).

That is a good point about if the company is not around and the inverter going bad. From what I'm seeing online though, the optimizers will work with third-party inverters though, but you lose some of the features unless you add in their Monitoring & Safety Interface. (Feature might be specific to these part numbers though which I can't seem to find available online)

http://www.votum.cz/pdf/SolarEdge/se-power-optimizer-opa-datasheet.pdf

[Ian S]

Seriously, you know nothing about shading. You keep asking questions and then keep telling people the answer. using 1 inverter for all you solar arrays is not your installer's fault, it is the guy who wants to keep saving money and asking for trouble. You probably better off burn the money.

BTW, reading your threads is fun. Remind me the story "Man of La Mancha"

This is almost laughable. Virtually every newcomer to the forum gets a lecture on taking their time to go through the details of planning the install, its financing, its payback, to ask questions of the experts, blah, blah, blah. So a guy comes on and actually does that and gets taken to task for his pains? Sheesh! I've found the threads on this install quite interesting and informative. I don't recall the last time an example with shading problems like this was tackled on this forum and with so much back and forth. And let's face it, few around here accept pronouncements from the poohbahs as gospel - nor should they.

[lorribarnes]

Do you have a pic of your install? Are you happy with it?

I have 44 panels (11KW system) all in one place on the roof (not spread out like yours). My installer ran all the wires inside a single conduit down through the attic to the other side of the house where the garage is. From there, this single conduit goes into a splitter box, and from there split out into the 2 inverters, then the inverters go into the combiner box before going into a dedicated meter for the solar system, then to an ON/OFF switch box before going into the main circuit panel.

[Volusiano]

Do you have a pic of your install? Are you happy with it?

Sorry I don't have a pic handy here to post. But my panels layout is pretty simple. There are 44 of them laid out vertically 4 rows of 11 altogether in a single slab on a big west facing roof with plenty of room to spare. I'm pretty happy with it.

[DanS26]

IMHO two or more inverters is always better than one inverter.

In a very short time you will be able to develop and monitor the relationship between inverter production, even if they are not perfectly matched. This data is invaluable when something goes wrong with either the panels, inverters or wiring......and it will.

Just the voice of experience.

[HX_Guy]

Update from the installer...

The cost to go with the SolarEdge setup would be an additional $1,700 so definitely going that route. Now if I can just decide on the panel.

[Volusiano]

Update from the installer...

The cost to go with the SolarEdge setup would be an additional $1,700 so definitely going that route. Now if I can just decide on the panel.

That's great to hear. $1,700 more is not bad at all. Sure is better than the $4K extra they quoted you to add a second inverter.

What have you narrowed down your panel options to so far?

[HX_Guy]

Sure is better than the $4K extra they quoted you to add a second inverter.

Way cheaper and should work better, I hope.

What have you narrowed down your panel options to so far?

I was all set on the CentroSolar because that's what he spec'd/quoted me on then today he throws out there that he could do Canadian Solar panels instead if I want, so it's between those two (see other thread).