Solar Overperformance?

Exiled_Tyke

I have experienced both my panels and my inverter apparently over-performing recently.

Some of my panels have peaked at around 350w (i.e. 16% better than quoted). Now I know that panels are tested and rated, so that the quoted figure should be the minimum output at 1000 W/m2. I also appreciate that recent bright sun a the right time of day may have caused better irradiance than 1000 W/m2. There is then of course the factor that panels are tested at 25oC and a good 15-18o below this will make a difference. But 16% does seem extreme. Can any one offer a plausible explanation? Has anyone had similar experiences?

Similarly I've caught my inverter reading over 3.1 kW when it's rated at 3 kW. I thought output was capped. What also does not make sense to me is that the specifications claim it can output at a constant 16 A so at 240V this would suggest 3.8kW is the maximum.. Again any ideas to explain this would be appreciated, as would any body else's experience.

ajbell

I regularly see 3.75kw when i have a 3.6 inverter.

Martyn1981

Exiled_Tyke wrote: »

Similarly I've caught my inverter reading over 3.1 kW when it's rated at 3 kW. I thought output was capped. What also does not make sense to me is that the specifications claim it can output at a constant 16 A so at 240V this would suggest 3.8kW is the maximum.. Again any ideas to explain this would be appreciated, as would any body else's experience.

Hiya ET. I don't think 5% to 10% spikes are too strange, on a normal string system, where output may be constrained by the lowest performing panel. So whilst I admit 16% seems a hell of a lot, it may simply be that that (those?) panel is just a very good panel, and the SE system allows it to 'run free' and for you to see it, something not possible on a normal system.

What are the tolerances on the panel performance? Many now come with a 0 to +5% rating, so you may have a +5% panel to start with?


Regarding the inverter, we both need to get our heads around the term 'capping'. Generally this refers to an inverter meeting UK standards (G83 I think) so originally had a 16A cap (nominal 230V), but then revised to 3,680W cap, as the leccy grid is usually higher than 230V.

So for you the inverter isn't capped by regulations, simply by size and output. Whilst I appreciate that the SE3000 has a max output of 3,000W (AC), I assume this is a constant max, and not restrained by any capping, so can vary a bit, especially for short bursts ...... perhaps ..... not really sure!

Mart.

Rheumatoid

I have a Solis 3.6kw inverter that usually tops out at 3.68 (using the Solo II readings) although I have seen 3.79kw

pinnks

Mine are SMA inverters. Most I have seen my 5,250Wp produce is about 5,500W but very rare. Cold, very bright, clear air after a storm