Under spec inverter

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Mattb

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Good evening

Just a quick introduction, I’m a lecturer with a background in mechanical engineering. I have trained in elements of electrical engineering in an industrial setting.

We’ve just had our solar system installed by a local renewable energy company and I’m concerned they’ve done a poor job matching the components.

The system has 8.2kw of panels (21 Trina 390W vertex-s), two batteries (Alpha ESS Smile 5.7Kwh) and one Alpha Smile 5000W single phase hybrid inverter. I questioned the installer on the mismatch and was informed that with strong sunshine the inverter would keep resetting because of the overload. He advised he would contact the renewable company who selected the equipment and try and remedy the problem.

Since it’s been installed (2 days ago) I’ve seen the generated power exceed 6000W and I’m very concerned. I haven’t witnessed the inverter automatically resetting as the installer advised but I have notice the top of the inverter is warming up.

Should I switch off the system completely to prevent potentially damaging the components or should I do as the the installer advised and leave the system reset itself if there is an overload?
 
My inverter can get to an internal temp of 70C in hottest parts of summer months. That's why they should be mounted in a cool location with plenty of air movement. Inverters don't reset , they make themselves less efficient when overloaded or getting too hot. If they get really hot, they will shutdown to protect themselves. Personally I would have installed a larger inverter to better.atch the size of the array. Older inverters were less efficient, so undersizing by 20%, was common practice to improve performance in winter/ darker weather, but inverters run at 97% efficiency these days, so that's a nonsense.
 
Thanks for you response Blinky. I didn’t realise the inverter ran so hot. I’m still feeling apprehensive about leaving the house for holiday for a couple of weeks in summer. Is it normal to shut down the system when you go away on holiday?

I also learned the warranty is only valid for 10 years if the inverter is connect to the internet for the duration, otherwise they limit the warranty for 2years! I suppose this allows them (Alpha) to monitor the inverter to ensure it’s not overloaded, like in our case.

I just wish the installer had selected equipment and not the renewable company who as it transpires, were out of their depth.
 
Thanks for you response Blinky. I didn’t realise the inverter ran so hot. I’m still feeling apprehensive about leaving the house for holiday for a couple of weeks in summer. Is it normal to shut down the system when you go away on holiday?

I also learned the warranty is only valid for 10 years if the inverter is connect to the internet for the duration, otherwise they limit the warranty for 2years! I suppose this allows them (Alpha) to monitor the inverter to ensure it’s not overloaded, like in our case.

I just wish the installer had selected equipment and not the renewable company who as it transpires, were out of their depth.
as long as the inverter is on a fire proof surface you will be fine, surface temperature doesnt get as hot as the internal temp, and I've yet to see any inverter cuase a fire or so much as scorch the surface it's mounted to. There's usually a good ventilation gap on the rear of inverters to allow self-cooling air flow which also prevents heat transfer.
 
I just wish the installer had selected equipment and not the renewable company who as it transpires, were out of their depth.

they are doing things on the cheap! Ask the installer if they would be interested in using the inverter for one of their own jobs and fitting a larger unit for you.
 
Thanks Binky for all of your advice, I’ll get in touch with our installer
 
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