Commissioning & Testing G98 and G100 via G99 Fast Track For Battery Storage

MikeHEQA

Hi all,

Been approved for G99 Fast Track for Battery Storage utilising Solax X1-AC-3.6kw inverter, and at the moment one Solax Triple Power LFP  5.8kw Master battery
by SP Energy which is great (filled in the forms myself) just need a Competent Person Scheme Electrician for the installing and Signing Off as per email from SP Energy
Commissioning & Testing out G98 and G100.   

Forms are:  To Be Completed within 28 days of installation, informing the SP Energy so they can  update their records as Fully Installed.

 G98 Form B: Installation Document for Connection under G98 ENA EREC G98 Issue 1 Amendment 6 2021

G99 Form B3: Installation and Commisssioning Confirmation Form ENA EREC G99 Issue 1Amendment 6 20220

My Battery turned up last week, Delivery Paper stated the Solax Master Battery, but infact  was delivered a Slave Battery, which cannot connect directly to the inverter,
wrong size cables, short ones 650mm and most importantly no BMS on Slave, and not the Master Battery size 200 cm long... with BMS attached.

Telephoned the Supplier and told them and filled out their online website Contact Form about the Wrong Battery being delivered and attached file of picture of the outer
cardboard packaging showing the Details of the Slave Battery.  Awaiting Reply

Now that I have a 3 month period to install from energy company, No Master Battery on install date as per Application G99 Form A1-2.

Now without a Master Battery, The Big Question is can you still Install, Commission and Test just the Solax X1-AC-3.6kw inverter with the Eastron SDM 230 MID Meter (for limiting Export Control to a Max of 3.68kW (16A) stated by SP Energy in Confirmation email) I will set to  0 Watts for maximum home use.   Or has the AC Inverter to be connected to a Battery for the above forms Install, Commissioning and Tests to be Confirmed as Fully Installed as required by SP Energy Confirmation email within 28 days of being installed.

I know that battery is just that, So can you install the inverter alone without a battery.?

ispookie666

Any change in power generation will need new application. 
You can install the inverter and not comission it, which is sort of pointless. 

70sbudgie

It might be worth calling SP. As it clearly isn't your fault that the supplier sent the incorrect component, they may be willing to allow you to commision your PV while you wait for the correct battery. It would probably cost extra. They have approved the complete system, so you don't want to reapply for a temporary configuration. 

However, having just re-read your post, are you actually asking about installing the inverter and export limitation without the battery? If so, I imagine that wouldn't be possible as one of the commissioning tests that will need to be signed off, is to check that the G100 actually works when there is a possibility of exceeding the 3.68kW export. I can't see how you would do that with an incomplete system.

MikeHEQA

ispookie666 said:

Any change in power generation will need new application. 
You can install the inverter and not comission it, which is sort of pointless. 

Total Power Capacity not to exceed 32A (7.36kW) under G99 Fast Track criteria for both Solar PV and Battery Storage.
Total export for both Solar and Battery not to exceed 16A (3.68kW per phase)
The G99 application is For Battery Storage, to my existing Solar PV array system. I informed SP Energy for 0 watt energy export from the Battery storage system.  This is from SP Energy.

The Question is Now still without Master Battery with BMS, until one is delivered (if one is delivered say in the new year 2023 shortage of Supply and the Supplier making the giant cockup), Can you just install the AC inverter and Install, Commissioning and Tests; without a battery if not I will have to wait.
Just need confirmation if someone has come across the problem... 

MikeHEQA

70sbudgie said:

It might be worth calling SP. As it clearly isn't your fault that the supplier sent the incorrect component, they may be willing to allow you to commision your PV while you wait for the correct battery. It would probably cost extra. They have approved the complete system, so you don't want to reapply for a temporary configuration. 

However, having just re-read your post, are you actually asking about installing the inverter and export limitation without the battery? If so, I imagine that wouldn't be possible as one of the commissioning tests that will need to be signed off, is to check that the G100 actually works when there is a possibility of exceeding the 3.68kW export. I can't see how you would do that with an incomplete system.

I might have to do that call SP.  The PV is already MCS registered last year, just adding Battery Storage via AC inverter only.
the G100 Declaration device is Eastron meter for the Battery Storage, to limit export; via software menu control on the inverter.
photographic evidence of 0 W export control would no doubt suffice for SP. You clearly do not need a battery, removal of the RG 45 connector using two pins from the Eastron meter to inverter should shut down the inverter.  You need G99 Fast Track application which I have been given confirmation and approval.

So in short of a Master Battery arriving in the next 3 months, I will need to re-apply to SP Energy all due Supplier fault at warehouse?

ispookie666

@MikeHEQA
A bit lost 
1. I presume you already have solar installed and approved? G98 or G99

2. What's your export limit for solar?
3. Batteries is a brand new application? If so what is the total export limit for the property? 

My solar was installed in Jan 22 (Enphase system), the GE inverter was installed but not commissioned at the same time due to battery not being available. The Solar and Battery install was a single project. 
The batteries were installed in May/June 22 and that's when the installer submitted confirmation to UK Power Networks for G99. 

The letter from UKPN is explicit that any deviation from the agreed plan, needs a new application process. 

Maybe ask them for extension due to global supply shortage. I think my approval was in late Nov 2021 and install completed in June2022. 

70sbudgie

I don't think you need to apply again. You only need to return the G99 within 28 days of installation.

MikeHEQA said:

[...]

Forms are:  To Be Completed within 28 days of installation, informing the SP Energy ....

[...]

Now that I have a 3 month period to install from energy company, No Master Battery on install date as per Application G99 Form A1-2.

[...]

 Or has the AC Inverter to be connected to a Battery for the above forms Install, Commissioning and Tests to be Confirmed as Fully Installed as required by SP Energy Confirmation email within 28 days of being installed.

I know that battery is just that, So can you install the inverter alone without a battery.?

I think you could install the inverter without the battery, but I still think that you would be unable to test the G100. 

And you would be unable to submit the completed forms within 28 days of installation. 

I'm not sure if I have understood your setup correctly - you already have PV and approval for a battery storage system? The storage battery sent was not what you ordered, but you have the inverter and the rest of the storage system equipment. What would be the benefit or installing the inverter without the storage battery?

Does your G99 have an installation time limit on it? I would be surprised if it did and even more surprised if it didn't allow you to wait for the correct storage battery to arrive and everything to be installed together and then the G99 submitted withing 28 days.

Apologies if I have misunderstood your question.

MikeHEQA

ispookie666 said:

@MikeHEQA
A bit lost 
1. I presume you already have solar installed and approved? G98 or G99

2. What's your export limit for solar?
3. Batteries is a brand new application? If so what is the total export limit for the property? 

My solar was installed in Jan 22 (Enphase system), the GE inverter was installed but not commissioned at the same time due to battery not being available. The Solar and Battery install was a single project. 
The batteries were installed in May/June 22 and that's when the installer submitted confirmation to UK Power Networks for G99. 

The letter from UKPN is explicit that any deviation from the agreed plan, needs a new application process. 

Maybe ask them for extension due to global supply shortage. I think my approval was in late Nov 2021 and install completed in June2022. 

Yes Solar PV array installed September 2021G98 3.68kW Solax X1 Boost 3.6kW inverter

Batteries new application using AC Inverter Solax X1-AC-3.6 kW with EREC G100 type test certified Export limiting device to be employed, which I understand from the Solax manual is the Eastron SDM 230 Meter or CT.  SP Energy required G99 Fast Track Application form filling in.

From SP Energy email total capacity 32A (7.36kW) and total export not to exceed 16A (3.68kW per phase)

Looks more likely to reapply until a new master battery is delivered from China to the Supplier if over 3 months then.
It would save money to wait than get the installer to install both at the same time.

MikeHEQA

70sbudgie said:

I don't think you need to apply again. You only need to return the G99 within 28 days of installation.

MikeHEQA said:

[...]

Forms are:  To Be Completed within 28 days of installation, informing the SP Energy ....

[...]

Now that I have a 3 month period to install from energy company, No Master Battery on install date as per Application G99 Form A1-2.

[...]

 Or has the AC Inverter to be connected to a Battery for the above forms Install, Commissioning and Tests to be Confirmed as Fully Installed as required by SP Energy Confirmation email within 28 days of being installed.

I know that battery is just that, So can you install the inverter alone without a battery.?

I think you could install the inverter without the battery, but I still think that you would be unable to test the G100. 

And you would be unable to submit the completed forms within 28 days of installation. 

I'm not sure if I have understood your setup correctly - you already have PV and approval for a battery storage system? The storage battery sent was not what you ordered, but you have the inverter and the rest of the storage system equipment. What would be the benefit or installing the inverter without the storage battery?

Does your G99 have an installation time limit on it? I would be surprised if it did and even more surprised if it didn't allow you to wait for the correct storage battery to arrive and everything to be installed together and then the G99 submitted withing 28 days.

Apologies if I have misunderstood your question.

I do think you are correct, unable to test the G100 and submit forms with the 29 days, no doubt would have to pay the installer
again just to connect the correct battery up and do the tests ....

Yes 3 months time scale to install and notify DNO which is on the G99 Form A1-2 application form

Still waiting since last Thursday 20th October 2022 to hear from the Supplier, I left calls and contact forms twice now... 

ispookie666

It is likely 3 months from install to notifying. Not from application 😊

MikeHEQA

That would be great thanks