Recommended version: 3 chains of 32 and 6 chains of 34 In this way, the design can be even easier and faster in practice: I would like to follow this advice some specific tips for designing a system around a SolarEdge inverter with power optimizers. In our example, we will design a network with 30 Astronergy 345W solar panels. Matrix size is 10,350 watts or 10.35 kW: Go back to the optimizer datasheet and scroll down where it covers the system design: SolarEdge changed the already simple design rules, which in practice were based solely on the minimum and maximum number of serial optimizers and the maximum power they could support. Take advantage of these important design features for faster and easier commercial solar design: Optimizers for three-phase systems (P700/P730/P800/P850/P860) are designed to be paired with two modules, as opposed to smaller systems where each module would have its own optimizer. In this way, in addition to saving time in the design phase, BOS (Balance of System) costs and assembly costs are also reduced. Designer includes a number of features to optimize the design of your home system: SolarEdge power optimizers are designed for most of today`s high-performance modules. The specifications make it easier than ever to adapt them to your photovoltaic modules. SolarEdge Designer is a free web-based solar design tool that helps solar energy professionals like you reduce PV design costs and generate successful customer proposals. Design, build, and validate your SolarEdge residential and commercial systems, from design to installation, with this powerful sales tool that helps you close more deals.
Login What`s New in Designer When working with SolarEdge optimizers, you should follow a few design rules. Hopefully, this informs our thought process when developing SolarEdge systems. If you need help with your project, contact us for free advice on solar design. And if you`re planning to build the system yourself, don`t miss our guide to installing your own solar system. Previously, in this blog, we published a step-by-step guide on how to properly size a solar energy system, which is a great resource for anyone who wants to design and build their own solar system. This quickstart guide will help you design PV systems with SolarEdge optimizers and inverters. With a few basic principles, you can easily design systems with SolarEdge. Remember to design for watts of power, not voltage or current, and you`re well on your way to simplifying PV designs.
There are 3 important things to consider when planning residential systems with SolarEdge: Now that we know which inverter we are going to use, we can pair the corresponding optimizer. The same string sizing would work for the SE10000H inverter, but this model has a 3rd string input, which gives us more flexibility in our network layout. On the SE10000H, you might as well do 3 strings out of 10 if it works better with the layout. The same applies to three-phase inverters from 10 kW, where the power limit of the single line, which was 11.25 kW, is removed. Also included are StorEdge inverters with 48V battery input. Compare the optimizer input requirements to the solar panel datasheet to ensure the voltage and current meet specifications: Divide the panel power by the maximum string input to determine your maximum string size: To determine which inverters are suitable, check the inverter datasheet for maximum DC power @ 240V for each model. We choose 240 V because it is the standard voltage of most electrical service panels installed on residential buildings. So we have to make a decision. The SE7600 would be easier to install as it can operate on a standard 200-amp service panel without reducing the main switch or establishing a line-side connection. On the other hand, the SE10000H would leave some room for future expansion. Channels of 16 are the only option with this configuration. If necessary, you can also switch to P400 optimizers on each panel, which would allow for more flexible chain sizing.
Sign up if you don`t already have a SolarEdge Monitoring account Systems with optimizers also have other benefits, including improved monitoring, easier troubleshooting, and simplified installation. Optimizers give you more control over your system and (as the name suggests) optimize the performance of your solar panels. We round to a maximum chain size of 17 panels. This means that a chain size of 8 to 17 panels would work for this system. If possible, keep equal string lengths for dual optimizers to avoid the need for an additional optimizer for odd strings. Effective immediately, the single series power limit of 5.7kWp will be removed for HD Wave series single-phase inverters with a size of less/equal to 5kW of all standard models, with integrated EV charger or StorEdge with battery input. While it`s common to oversize traditional string inverters, it`s less important for SolarEdge. Technically, the system still maintains the voltage at 350 VDC, which means there is no loss of efficiency for undersizing. Financially, inverters are very profitable and the costs of the optimizer change directly with the number of modules. Based on our HD Wave 7600 single-phase inverter and P400 optimizer, we can now determine the minimum and maximum chain size: if you want to install batteries, the SE7600 UPS can handle from 3,800 watts of DC to over 10,000 watts of DC and can be upgraded on StorEdge in the future.
Note that in most cases, the 6000W limit determines the size of the channel. But you could potentially reach the limit of 25 panels if you use smaller solar panels (240W or less in this case). The SE7600H inverter can handle 2 channels, so we would use 2 equal channels from (15) Astronergy 345W panels. That`s 5,175 watts per string, which is below the 6,000-watt size limit. The minimum and maximum string sizes will change with commercial three-phase inverters as they operate at a higher DC voltage. The string size is increased on commercial inverters, and we can also use different optimizers. Oversizing your PV panel will make better use of this inverter, which will result in lower system costs with similar output. Once we know the desired array size, we need to select a UPS large enough to handle the array input. Note that UPS have different input and output values. The SolarEdge SE7600 delivers 7,600 watts, but can safely handle 11,800 watts of array input. SolarEdge offers up to 135% oversizing of its inverters. That means you can add 13,500 watts of DC power for a 10,000-watt inverter.
For minimal sizing, although there are no defined requirements, SolarEdge recommends reducing the size of inverters to 50% of the nameplate (e.g., 5,000 watts of DC power with the 10,000-watt inverter). This article assumes that you already know which sizing system you need. If not, check out our system sizing guide or get a quick estimate from our solar calculator first! Next, we need to determine the size of our chain – the number of panels that can be wired to the inverter in a single input. With these values covered, we know we can safely pair the P370 or P400 with Astronergy`s 345W panels. In this case, I would recommend the SE7600H unless you plan to upgrade your system later. In this case, the SE7600H and SE10000H inverters seem like a good choice, as they can both handle the input of our 10.35 kW matrix. Let`s start by looking at the standard optimizer datasheet: systems with power optimizers excel at minimizing the impact of shading on solar panels. If your building space is blocked by trees, buildings, or other obstacles that cast shadows on your modules, a SolarEdge system will help you get as much production as possible from your solar panels. The P400`s maximum input voltage of 80 V covers the panel`s open-circuit voltage of 46.37 V, and its short-circuit current of 10.1 A is sufficient to handle the panel`s 9.67 A current. The P370 also meets these criteria. Thus, three-phase systems have the possibility to use half as many optimizers.
Otherwise, the process follows the same pattern as above. Here are some examples of three-phase system sizing: There are two other important notes about optimizers where 2 modules can be connected to 1 optimizer: Design SolarEdge module optimization chains for power, not voltage. With SolarEdge, there is no need to perform voltage calculations to determine the string length. You only need two digits: minimum and maximum string length: Both the P370 and P400 have DC input power high enough to cover the 345W power of the solar panel. Choosing the right optimizer is quite easy if you look at the input section on the optimizer`s datasheet. These optimization models work with SolarEdge inverters: Once we have our string size, look at the specifications of the inverter to determine how many inputs it has for PV chains: It is quite common for the DC power of your solar system to be higher than the power of the inverter. The matrix does not normally produce at maximum performance due to actual losses caused by cloud cover, high temperatures and contamination of the modules.