Solar inverter
This is an SMA America Sunny Boy SB-5.0-US-41 transformerless inverter. The maximum output power is 5000 watts. It has 2 maximum power point tracking channels to help with complex roof geometries, odd string counts, and shading.
RAPID
SHUTDOWN
Beneath each solar module there is a Tigo Energy TS4-A-F used to shut down the module voltage during an emergency. This is a mandatory requirement in the United States and is referred to as Rapid Shutdown (RSD). I decided to use Tigo since the SMA inverter has a built-in transmitter used to keep the Tigo TS4 "on". When a first responder shuts off AC power to the inverter, the internal transmitter also shuts off. Without the signal from the transmitter, the TS4 will then shut down, isolating all voltage at the module level.
STRING #1
STRING #2
solar modules
Contrary to common usage, this is not solar "panel". A solar panel heats water but a solar module creates direct current electricity using the sun. I have 16 Jinko Solar 320 watt modules split into two strings, both having 8 modules. Each string is connected to a separate MPPT in the PV inverter. The left side of the array starts to become shaded by my neighbor's tree. The left 8 modules that make up string #1 will not affect the other side of the array when they become shaded. Click the button below to read my blog post for more information on shading.
balance of system
components
This is the ugly side of solar and storage- all the extra equipment that is required to comply with safety, wire management, labeling, and any dumb thing the electrical inspector wants you to include. Maybe one day the BOS components will look as sexy as the solar and ESS equipment.
RackinG
An undermentioned part of most PV system descriptions is the racking system used to connect the modules to the roof of the house. I used SnapNrack for my 5.1 kW array.
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