Solar Edge Inverter Questions

[easye]

I think I know the answer, but.... I have two inverters. SE5000 and SE3800. Any reason these cannot have an odd number of panels/optimizers in the string? SE3800 would have 17 and SE5000 would have 23. I want to add 6 more panels, but in order to keep the likely output close to max output I need to add them in this way. It should work right? It will be well lower that the max input of both inverters, but I'd like to avoid clipping which I assume is what will happen if the DC input is higher than the max output. I guess that's another question. Will the inverter just clip if the input is higher than the max output?

[ButchDeal]

Well yes and no. It depends on the max string wattage of 5.25kw and at least 8 modules per string.

if you have multiple faces, adding some modules to one inverter on multiple faces will increase production ( with solaredge).

Do you know how the two inverters are currently strung?

[easye]

SE3800 - One string 14(275 Solarworld) 2(300 LG) with 8 facing West with rest facing south. SE 5000 one string. 18(275 Solarworld) all facing south. all 6 new panels will face west and be LG 305s

[ButchDeal]

SE3800 - One string 14(275 Solarworld) 2(300 LG) with 8 facing West with rest facing south. SE 5000 one string. 18(275 Solarworld) all facing south. all 6 new panels will face west and be LG 305s

So the SE38000 already has a string of 4.45kw and the SE50000 has a string of 4.95kw
are they both one string each? What optimizers do you have?
you can add one of the LG 305s as planned to the SE3800
the SE5000 if it is a single string then you can't add an LG305 to it. You would have to break it up into two strings of at least 8 optimizers each.

[easye]

all optimizers are p300s. the SE3800 has a sting of 16 panels. 14 SW275s and 2 LG 300s for 4.45kw. The SE5000 has one string of 18 SW275s. I don't understand why the se5000 needs two strings? Is there a max number of optimizers that can be in a string? besides I want to add 5 more LG305s to the SE5000 for a total of 23 panels/optimizers for a total of 6.475kw.

[ButchDeal]

all optimizers are p300s. the SE3800 has a sting of 16 panels. 14 SW275s and 2 LG 300s for 4.45kw. The SE5000 has one string of 18 SW275s. I don't understand why the se5000 needs two strings? Is there a max number of optimizers that can be in a string? besides I want to add 5 more LG305s to the SE5000 for a total of 23 panels/optimizers for a total of 6.475kw.

There is a maximum wattage per string. I already stated that you can't have any single string over 5,250 watts. Further each string needs to have at least 8 optimizers so you will have to break the string on the SE5000 into two. 5 optimizers is not going to work as a string.

[easye]

ok. thanks!

[easye]

adding a new string sounds difficult. Is that terribly hard? I have a combiner box on the roof. I guess I could create a new sting of 8 using the new 5 and 3 from the existing and bring it into the box?

[ButchDeal]

adding a new string sounds difficult. Is that terribly hard? I have a combiner box on the roof. I guess I could create a new sting of 8 using the new 5 and 3 from the existing and bring it into the box?

Why do you have a combiner box if you only have single strings?
If the wire from the roof down is sufficient to handle the amps then you can combine on the roof, if not bring a separate wire down to the inverter it has two DC attachement locations.
There is no need for fusing with solaredge or with just two strings.

[easye]

hmmm. Maybe is just a weatherproofing box for the wires to come down into the attic. I'll have to go take a look at it. otherwise I would have to drop wires down and I guess I'm probably out on that. I'm guessing splicing those wires together is a bad idea. This project is getting to be more than it might be worth. Maybe just pay the $20 electric bill lol.