If a single string has peak currents above 10A, can that string be wired in parallel across A||B to reduce the current and mitigate clipping? Do you have a resource demonstrating how to properly connect a parallel system to the A and B inputs?
Val - if rapid shutdown is required, the SPS feature is not available on the Sunny Boy. Please note that the ABU is an accessory ONLY for our Sunny Boy Storage battery inverter, not the Sunny Boy PV inverter. The Sunny Boy Storage does have a feature similar to the SPS on the Sunny Boy, but it is not utilized when using the ABU.
Why only 3/4" knockouts? I have 2 arrays from roof top that have to enter the right side inverter knockout. I am running the 4 PV cables directly from each array to the right side knockout and the required 10awg ground wire. This overfills a 3/4" knockout per NEC. Sure, I could add more connections and reduce the PV wires to 10awg thhn/thwn but this should not be necessary.
I need some help on my system I have a 7000 which I believe has just failed. I need to replace it and need to know if a NEW -40 or -41 is what I need in order not to change anything else on the system that has been working perfectly since 2011. Please contact me if you have info and where I can get a new one.
Daniel - the Sunny Island utilizes AC coupling, so the Sunny Boy would not “connect” to the Sunny Island. There are different PV inverter capacity limits for the Sunny Island depending on off-grid or on-grid use - this would dictate which Sunny Boy US-41 models should be used. Please consult the datasheet here: files.sma.de/downloads/SI6048US-DS-en-27.pdf. Also please note that each Sunny Island is a 120VAC device, not split phase. As more Sunny Islands are installed, the allowed PV capacity also increases.
Any issues with using 2 sunny boys US-41's on the same system? Specifically, I'm looking at a 32 panel 11.7 kW ground mount array. 2 strings of 8 panels into each sunny boy 5.0 US-41. The AC output from each inverter will go to 30 amp breaker in a subpanel. The output of the subpanel will then go to a 60 amp breaker in the main panel. Will that cause any issues for the sunny boys or am I better of running both AC outlets back to the main panel separately and tying them into 30 amp breakers?
John - The important thing to consider is to make sure the voltage drop on the AC conductors between the Sunny Boy terminals and the main panel busbar is as low as possible. The inverters use the AC voltage at their terminals as the grid voltage, and if that voltage goes too high, the inverters will disconnect from the grid. They will consider the grid voltage to be out of specification. The “voltage drop” between the inverters terminals and main panel bus bar is actually the voltage rise above grid voltage that the inverter will actually use as the “grid voltage” for this safety check. I assume you have verified that your service panel busbars and main breaker are large enough to allow for 60A of backfeed breakers to be installed under code?
@@smasolartechnology Thanks for the reply. My main panel has 200 amp busbars and a 175 amp main which I believe gives me 65 amps of backfeed capacity. Based on my wire size and length I expect the voltage drop to be about 3 volts. Do the 2 inverters need a communication wire between them via the relay or other means?
@@johnstempko2746 John - I am not sure I understand the question. As you note, the two inverter breakers combined capacity cannot exceed 65A on the panel setup you described. The inverters do not need to communicate to operate - this is true for either connection scenario you described in your prior post. If you are asking about monitoring via the Sunny Portal, the inverters can be connected together with an Ethernet cable (Cat 5e and above) using the provided two RJ45 jacks on the inverter’s communication board. Either of the inverters can then be connected to the site router with an Ethernet cable for internet connection so data can be sent to the Sunny Portal for free monitoring. If using WiFi, both inverters will need to be joined to the customer’s (2.4GHz only) WiFi network individually for internet access for Sunny Portal registration and free monitoring.
Yes, the Sunny Boy US-41 inverter has a NEMA 3R rating. Please observe the temperature range shown on the datasheet: files.sma.de/downloads/SBxx-US-DS-en-38.pdf
Anyone with expertise I would really appreciate your help. I am looking to build a solar system (3kw) and want to use it only when the sun out approximately 9 am to 3 pm and don’t want to install batteries. My Aim of watt consumption is 1kw per hour or less . Would this system work given the fact that I don’t have a grid on . I get plenty of sun and almost zero shade or clouds. Will this sunny boy fit me or I am missing other information. Thanks in advance
Ahmed - the Sunny Boy can in fact work without a grid, but the only output will be from the Secure Power Supply (SPS) outlet, and there are several constraints to be aware of in this use case. First, if rapid shutdown is required, the SPS function WILL NOT work. Second, the SPS switch must be toggled EVERY morning (off, then on again) - and this is a MANUAL process. Third, the SPS output is 120VAC, 60Hz, up to a maximum of 2000W with the Sunny Boy US-40 or -41. If the (3kW STC) array cannot provide the power the loads attached to the SPS outlet demand, the system will shut down. It will try to restart, allowing you to unplug some loads to reduce demand. In short, the SPS was meant to be a convenience feature of a grid-tied inverter, used periodically, rather than making the Sunny Boy an off-grid inverter, which is your goal. SMA would not recommend this use case as there are so many differences to a true off-grid inverter.
Yes, please view the Commissioning TechTip here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-19uOZ4ls-pc.html and the User Manual, Section 4.2 here: files.sma.de/downloads/SBxx-US-1XP-41-BA-en-11.pdf
the 041 is the newest, and has the Rapid Shutdown control (via the DC line) to the TS4-R-F rapid shutdown modules. Rapid Shutdown is the latest code requirement.
German, The two major differences are that the US-41 model has an integrated SunSpec certified rapid shutdown transmitter for use with SMA compatible SunSpec certified rapid shutdown receivers (files.sma.de/downloads/SunSpec-Kompatibilitaet-TI-en-11.pdf) and the US-41 models use integrated mounting rather than a wall mount bracket.
