Blog - Solar panels

There is a basic important question: The solar energy from the panels will be used  to sell to the grid? Or it will be used for own consumption?

If this is the case of sales of energy to the grid or its own consumption reduction, it is necessary to know that if 4kW is peak power value of solar panels, then it is highly probable that most of the time power will be significantly less. It strongly depends on sunlight specific conditions. If customer want to connect two solar panels to one microinverter, must take in advance that it is possible and will not damage the microinverter. It also depends on size of the panels and actual sunlight conditions. One microinverter can supply up to 250W power. If customer expect more from panel (or more panels if will connect them to one microinverter), than it would be wise to buy more microinverter to avoid that some power will be left unused.

Please check our GWL Blog for some ideas regarding Grid Free and micro-inverters:

http://gwl-power.tumblr.com/tagged/solar

http://gwl-power.tumblr.com/tagged/GridFree

http://gwl-power.tumblr.com/tagged/SolFAQ

In the second case, the use of energy for own consumption - island system, it is necessary to consider the maximum panel performance and peak load of the inverter, all depending on the capacity of the connected batteries.

We recommend to use the system of 4 inverters Steca Solarix PI 1100. This inverter is ideal for       off-grid installations with the typical supply up to 900W with peaks to 1100 W. For more energy supply it is possible to add more inverters in parallel – up to 4 units. This inverter supports multiple unit operation. The multiple units must be connected using the parallel switch box (PAx4) – up to 4 units can be connected together.

Steca Solarix PAx4 parallel switch box enables the communication and the connection of up to 4 units of Steca Solarix PI 1100 DC/AC inverters. The parallel connection of the inverters increases the total output up to 4400W. One inverter works as a master, the others as slaves. The technical limit is 4 inverters.

Please see attached schema.

Products:

4kW solar panels – 15x GWL/Sunny-290P

15x Micro Inverter GF-MAC230A

OR

4x Steca INV24/PI1100

1x Steca Solarix PAx4 parallel switch box

For connecting more Micro-Inverters, is appropriate to use the original waterproof cables for 230V. Please see information here:  5m outdoor cable 230V/25A

For connecting more solar panels, is recommended to use special branch connectors MC4-T

Practical information about Steca Off-Grid project:

http://gwl-power.tumblr.com/post/71730384943/testing-an-off-grid-system-with-steca-inverters