On Grid Solar

Is the mlt powerstar really hybrid? From the documentation I can find it seems you still need a separate charge controller from the solar panels?

A hybrid would mean you connect you panels, batteries and grid to it, then it is able to charge your batteries from either the grid or solar, as well as export excess solar to the grid.
 
P924 said:
Is the mlt powerstar really hybrid? From the documentation I can find it seems you still need a separate charge controller from the solar panels?

A hybrid would mean you connect you panels, batteries and grid to it, then it is able to charge your batteries from either the grid or solar, as well as export excess solar to the grid.
Click to expand...

The hybrid definition is not exact, from 12KVA you get the solar charge controllers built in, smaller than that you use an external solar charge controller, mttp.

The hybrid has more to do with the fact that it can feed back to the grid and isolate itself when the power fails and has the built in battery charge controller.


http://www.mltdrives.com/price_lists/201409_pricelist.pdf
 
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oober said:
The hybrid definition is not exact, from 12KVA you get the charge controllers built in, smaller than that you use an external charge controller.

The hybrid has more to do with the fact that it can feed back to the grid and isolate itself when the power fails and has the built in charge controller.
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Thanks
 
Here's a screenshot from a few minutes ago, showing 9.58kW solar pv being generated, with just over 6kW being exported to the grid.
mlt-28jan2015.JPG


To answer P924: Yes, my model is a hybrid and has built-in charge controller. However, I also have three Outback MPPTs as I have three separate arrays (totalling 12kW). The system is intelligent and manages everything seamlessly - grid, 2nd AC source (eg generator), solar pv, batteries. The MODBUS is connected to the LAN/internet via a Raspberry Pi, so I can access it from anywhere.
 
Arthur said:
Here's a screenshot from a few minutes ago, showing 9.58kW solar pv being generated, with just over 6kW being exported to the grid.
mlt-28jan2015.JPG


To answer P924: Yes, my model is a hybrid and has built-in charge controller. However, I also have three Outback MPPTs as I have three separate arrays (totalling 12kW). The system is intelligent and manages everything seamlessly - grid, 2nd AC source (eg generator), solar pv, batteries. The MODBUS is connected to the LAN/internet via a Raspberry Pi, so I can access it from anywhere.
Click to expand...
Thats quite impressive!
 
Arthur said:
Here's a screenshot from a few minutes ago, showing 9.58kW solar pv being generated, with just over 6kW being exported to the grid.
mlt-28jan2015.JPG


To answer P924: Yes, my model is a hybrid and has built-in charge controller. However, I also have three Outback MPPTs as I have three separate arrays (totalling 12kW). The system is intelligent and manages everything seamlessly - grid, 2nd AC source (eg generator), solar pv, batteries. The MODBUS is connected to the LAN/internet via a Raspberry Pi, so I can access it from anywhere.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the silly question, but do you need Net metering to be able to export to the grid like that?
 
Yes, it's advisable. Most electronic domestic (incl prepaid) meters will go into Tamper Mode if you export, so you need a 4-quadrant meter. This will measure both imports and exports and, depending on your arrangement with your utility, you can nett off or pay according to the rates they decide.
 
Arthur said:
Yes, it's advisable. Most electronic domestic (incl prepaid) meters will go into Tamper Mode if you export, so you need a 4-quadrant meter. This will measure both imports and exports and, depending on your arrangement with your utility, you can nett off or pay according to the rates they decide.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, what if I have an old style spinning disc meter?
 
Arthur said:
They will typically run backwards.
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Last I heard is that they are mechanically limited from going backwards. In the 70s and 80s people were using capacitor networks to make them run backwards at night, so they added the limiter.
 
I have a 3 phase setup with a hybrid offgrid setup described here - http://goingsolar.co.za

Its a 4KW setup, with some storage, a 10KW 3 phase inverter, and 3 x Multiplus Inverters for the battery /offgrid side.
Its not what I would have gotten if I'd gone completely offgrid from the start, but as a step by step system its worked quite well for me.


He's probably looking at something like 500-600k to go offgrid though at a very rough guesstimate at minimum.

For the op's requirements, I'd probably suggest Lithium for storage, as his draw is quite high, and the C ratings for Lithium will support high charge/ discharge required. Some of the smaller scale industrial solutions might also be viable, given the usage requirements. Shame that Vanadium flow batteries aren't quite there yet, otherwise that would be a good choice.

I'm waiting for a flight, and the airport internet is crappy otherwise I'd probably reply with copious amounts of info.
 
oober said:
+1. Arthur recommended them to me and I'm also very happy with their service and products. The inverter is quite expensive though. About R40k for the entry level hybrid 6KVA.
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Geez Axpert inverters cost half that price and are one of the best brands available.
 
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Arthur said:
Talk to MLT Drives. Their HO is in Kenilworth. www.mltdrives.com. They have hybrid grid-tied inverters designed and made for local conditions.

I've used them since 1999, and currently have a 12kW array at my house with a 12kVA Powerstar II (could only get single phase here). They have 18kVA and 24kVA 3-phase hybrid grid-tied inverters. A few months ago they established a separate division focusing on inverters, here.
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Great! Always good to get recommendations!

I guess part of the question is with the longer return cycles on solar and the decreasing cost p/kWh for the kit when is the best time to make the investment?
 
Bern said:
Great! Always good to get recommendations!

I guess part of the question is with the longer return cycles on solar and the decreasing cost p/kWh for the kit when is the best time to make the investment?
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MLT Drives did SA's largest private solar installation (1000 panels) at a mate's wine farm near Stellenbosch - Vrede en Lust.
 
savage said:
Why is it always necessary to get personal and insult ppl?

I run a business from home! It's not illegal to do so, many ppl do it!
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It wasn't meant as an insult. Just pulling your leg.
Yes, running a business from home isn't illegal as long as you have permission from the neighbours and local authorities to relax residential zoning restrictions for your property (I'm going through this process myself).

Anyway 3000kWh in a month is a lot of power. Are you sure you can't reduce that amount?
e.g. Are you running computer equipment (servers/PC's) which can be made more power efficient or is it industrial machinery which can't be changed?
That would be a lot cheaper than installing a massive solar PV system.

For instance if you're running lot's of PC's then maybe a VDI/thin client type setup would be a much better solution.
Rather have 5 x 20W thin clients and a 200W single server where all the processing happens than 5 x 100W PC's and a 200W server. <= Just as an example - not true power figures.
 
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Paul_S said:
It wasn't meant as an insult. Just pulling your leg.
Yes, running a business from home isn't illegal as long as you have permission from the neighbours and local authorities to relax residential zoning restrictions for your property (I'm going through this process myself).

Anyway 3000kWh in a month is a lot of power. Are you sure you can't reduce that amount?
e.g. Are you running computer equipment (servers/PC's) which can be made more power efficient or is it industrial machinery which can't be changed?
That would be a lot cheaper than installing a massive solar PV system.

For instance if you're running lot's of PC's then maybe a VDI/thin client type setup would be a much better solution.
Rather have 5 x 20W thin clients and a 200W single server where all the processing happens than 5 x 100W PC's and a 200W server. <= Just as an example - not true power figures.
Click to expand...

I too use nothing less than 3000kw a month. Some months I see my usage go to 6000kw, and there is no business operations going on. :wtf: Come to think of it, my maids room has a stove, fridge and TV. Maybe I need to start monitoring their usage to get any idea of how much their needs actually are costing me. Anyone got any idea what's a good watt usage gadget ?
 
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