wheisenburg
Independent Solar Consultant
A few things I am noticing.
I believe that the System Controller has a gen input. Now in order to commission the generator port Enphase wants to know the exact generator you are using. Yes, you need their permission to activate the generator port you already paid for. I'm not sure they actually ask for a serial number. So maybe you can just lie to them if you are going DIY, but I doubt if an installer will do this for you. Doing any of this DIY means you need to become a certified Enphase installer. Basically you watch a bunch of videos and then have to take a test. I believe you would need to disconnect from the grid to allow the generator port to become active or they switch the grid off when they sense good AC on the generator port.
So in theory setting this up wouldn't be that ugly if this worked. I can't guarantee this because I haven't actually tried, but if they can suck power from a generator, I don't see why they couldn't pull it from an inverter, which is way cleaner. Does adding new batteries count as far a triggering NEM 3.0? Certainly adding the system controller would be a significant change, probably requiring an updated design and a new PTO. If you did that prior to adding your "Off-grid Solar Generator" maybe this would fly under the radar?
I have been building a custom Electrical Control Panel for my system to shed PV when SOC is high and the grid is down. It also built a system that can turn off my PV when running a generator. I use a 4 pole double throw (4PDT) contactor for the interlock. I'm not sure what the system controller does to prevent the PV from back feeding the generator, but it could be an issue.
- First micro inverters always run in parallel. They each contribute about 1.25 amp at 250 volts. As you add more the amperage goes up, the voltage stays the same. No big deal, but just pointing that out.
- When adding batteries to the Enphase system, you will need to add their "IQ System controller". The system controller does a number of things. One of them is that when off grid it adds an "Auto-transformer" to generate the neutral line. The batteries and the inverters all only generate 240 volt AC. There is no neutral. Powering any 120 volt non-balanced loads requires this transformer. The controller is also what the batteries are physically attached to. It may contain CTs that are used to keep consumption, production and battery charge/discharge in balance when off grid. It also serves as an auto-transfer switch to isolate your system from the grid.
I believe that the System Controller has a gen input. Now in order to commission the generator port Enphase wants to know the exact generator you are using. Yes, you need their permission to activate the generator port you already paid for. I'm not sure they actually ask for a serial number. So maybe you can just lie to them if you are going DIY, but I doubt if an installer will do this for you. Doing any of this DIY means you need to become a certified Enphase installer. Basically you watch a bunch of videos and then have to take a test. I believe you would need to disconnect from the grid to allow the generator port to become active or they switch the grid off when they sense good AC on the generator port.
So in theory setting this up wouldn't be that ugly if this worked. I can't guarantee this because I haven't actually tried, but if they can suck power from a generator, I don't see why they couldn't pull it from an inverter, which is way cleaner. Does adding new batteries count as far a triggering NEM 3.0? Certainly adding the system controller would be a significant change, probably requiring an updated design and a new PTO. If you did that prior to adding your "Off-grid Solar Generator" maybe this would fly under the radar?
I have been building a custom Electrical Control Panel for my system to shed PV when SOC is high and the grid is down. It also built a system that can turn off my PV when running a generator. I use a 4 pole double throw (4PDT) contactor for the interlock. I'm not sure what the system controller does to prevent the PV from back feeding the generator, but it could be an issue.