Generac Generator + SolarEdge Inverter

[Mike90250]

Well, since it looks like you have a simple grid tie inverter, after the $600 , 200A Transfer switch is installed, the easiest way is to set the generator to 61Hz That way the solar will never be able to qualify it and life should be good.
Or it can be accomplished with a pair of transfer switches.

That's why planning ahead is critical, building up stuff piecemeal gets expensive fast.

But realize there will be a 30 second to 2 minute blackout while the generator starts up and prepares to take the load

[Markyrocks69]

As was said it's as simple as removing the solar breakers and doing a tap b4 the ATS.

basically this in a nutshell

[wanabee solar]

Believe me it does not sound complicated but it is and the installer has a valid question and concern no one is addressing.

Edison power goes out > Inverter shuts off

Now we introduce an ATS and Generator.

Edison power goes out > ATS kicks over Generator supplies power to the Main panel. The Main Panel has 30A Solar breakers which I assume once the Generator is powering up the entire Main Panel the Solar Inverter also powers up b/c of those breakers in the main panel? Do you see the dilemma here? If the inverter only turns on when Edison power is on that is fine but if the inverter is getting power through the main panel and the Generator is connected to the main panel does this not cause the Sync issue and problem described above?

The inverter is feed true a separate contactor to the main panel that switch together with the grid contactor from the ATS.
The inverter is only up when the grid contactor of the ATS is on.

[arf88]

I'm no genius at this as I too am a neubie, but the description you give makes this an impossible situation. The ATS has to select either Generator OR GRID / Solar to feed the breaker panel. With the solar system fused into the main breaker panel, I see only trouble on the horizon. It seems that this change over would be better served by a manual process on power fail.

The manual process is what I'm trying to avoid but agree this is the issue i see.

[arf88]

the solution is VERY simple. TAP the inverter into the lines on the grid side of the ATS. it is what is commonly called a line side tap. Do this instead of connecting the inverter to a breaker on the MSP.

This would void the warranty from the Solar installer who installed the equipment originally. I have a 20yr warranty with them, not willing to risk this.

[arf88]

Well, since it looks like you have a simple grid tie inverter, after the $600 , 200A Transfer switch is installed, the easiest way is to set the generator to 61Hz That way the solar will never be able to qualify it and life should be good.
Or it can be accomplished with a pair of transfer switches.

That's why planning ahead is critical, building up stuff piecemeal gets expensive fast.

But realize there will be a 30 second to 2 minute blackout while the generator starts up and prepares to take the load

My understanding and correct me if I'm wrong is that the inverter will not sync to the Generator signal if it doesn't match Edision. I don't know if you can set the phase and generator frequency however and how that would impact the non solar portion of the house.

[arf88]

As was said it's as simple as removing the solar breakers and doing a tap b4 the ATS.

basically this in a nutshell

Moving the breakers out will void the warranty from the solar installers. Not an ideal option.

[Markyrocks69]

Moving the breakers out will void the warranty from the solar installers. Not an ideal option.

Then call them and have them do this portion of the work. They may let someone else do it but they might want to take a look at it after the fact. Call them and see what they say.... report back.

I will say if I was a solar company and something broke bc you had a generator and inverter that weren't isolated from each other I'd definitely be saying it broke bc of that.

[arf88]

I will have to do that, their engineer is actually going to talk to solar edge but I'm afraid all this is not being translated properly. I did specifically mention the issue with the breakers being in the main panel, he didn't think it would be an issue b/c the inverter will Sync to Edison and did not think it would sync to the Generator which is 60Hz and i don't believe you can change this. I assume Edision comes in at 60Hz as well?

Here is the datasheet for the generator.

https://soa.generac.com/manuals/3002066876/10000000226

[Markyrocks69]

I will have to do that, their engineer is actually going to talk to solar edge but I'm afraid all this is not being translated properly. I did specifically mention the issue with the breakers being in the main panel, he didn't think it would be an issue b/c the inverter will Sync to Edison and did not think it would sync to the Generator which is 60Hz and i don't believe you can change this. I assume Edision comes in at 60Hz as well?

Here is the datasheet for the generator.

https://soa.generac.com/manuals/3002066876/10000000226

Well I wouldnt be taking people's words for it. "I believe" or "I don't think " isn't good enough. I'd want this stuff in writing incase they're wrong.

[ButchDeal]

This would void the warranty from the Solar installer who installed the equipment originally. I have a 20yr warranty with them, not willing to risk this.

I would doubt that this would void the warranty but you should call them and ask.
I know that if you install the generator with the inverter on the MSP side of the ATC you will void the SolarEdge warranty as improperly installed. The installer is not going to warranty something that you altered after they left that is not to the manufacturers recommendations, either.

Just to be clear on this : https://www.solaredge.com/sites/defa...generators.pdf

[arf88]

Absolutely I agree, I don't think anyone is being malicious, they just don't know and why I'm doing my own homework. I'm astonished however at SolarEdge and their customer service, took me 2 hours to get to speak to someone and even than they were not willing to give info because it was a third party hardware when I was simply asking about how their inverter would fare with a generator in the loop. Nothing in writing from them but I believe you guys are right, there has to be an isolation and the only way is to move the existing breakers out of the main panel which means they have to come service it to maintain the warranty.

[ButchDeal]

Absolutely I agree, I don't think anyone is being malicious, they just don't know and why I'm doing my own homework. I'm astonished however at SolarEdge and their customer service, took me 2 hours to get to speak to someone and even than they were not willing to give info because it was a third party hardware when I was simply asking about how their inverter would fare with a generator in the loop. Nothing in writing from them but I believe you guys are right, there has to be an isolation and the only way is to move the existing breakers out of the main panel which means they have to come service it to maintain the warranty.

They do have recommendations as I already posted. The inverter needs to be isolated from the generator. This is true of most grid tie (non-bimodal) inverters.

They are also a manufacturer and are not set up for direct to customer sales or support. Their support is set up for installers.

This is true of most manufacturers, BTW.

[arf88]

I just don't see the harm in providing an answer if someone owns the equipment and is doing it themselves regardless if they are the installer or not it is affecting their product. They did not mention anything about that PDF you posted (thanks), can't blame them as they don't know how things are wired. The problem is the experts are not 100% and it makes me very nervous as a home owner.

[ButchDeal]

I just don't see the harm in providing an answer if someone owns the equipment and is doing it themselves regardless if they are the installer or not it is affecting their product. They did not mention anything about that PDF you posted (thanks), can't blame them as they don't know how things are wired. The problem is the experts are not 100% and it makes me very nervous as a home owner.

they don't have enough to handle all the homeowners calling them. Installers are supposed to be trained and knowledgable about first line installations issues so an installer should know that the inverter and generator must be isolated.
The techs and phone support are set up to deal with trained installers, meaning they use correct terms and language etc. It is the same thing if you call GM and try to explain the noise your car is making... they will try to pass you to a dealer.