PV Grid Tied Inverter System Not To Export, Can this be Done?ch nhveng ng 4

[ThePunisher]

Hi all,

I have a customer with 300 KW PV inverter system and they are planning to interconnect such to the grid. Their equiopment is not IEEE 1547 or UL 1741 tested for grid intertie.

I am thinking that if their inverter capacity or maximum output is less than the peak load or the inverter output can reduce current output during light loading to prevent export to utility, then it would eliminate complicated requirements for interconnection. However, is there an inverter that does that?

Alternatively, I was also thinking about splitting the PV-fed AC panelboard from normal utility panelboard and apply open transition tie contactors in the event PV is insufficent to power local loads. But I am looking for a seamless way of connecting inverter and utility without exporting so that the PV system is only for minimizing utility import only.

Regards

 

[ThePunisher]

Point taken. I consider all discussions here are brainstorming, commentary and suggestive subject to further verification on my end. Thank you

 

[bacon4life]

Just because the a solar installation doesn't reverse power doesn't mean the utility doesn't care about it. Dramatic changes in load can cause large changes in voltage regulation. Also, in order to size utility equipment properly, utility engineers need to know both the load and generation on a circuit.

Some locations are moving towards requiring inverters that are capable of providing voltage regulation. The proposed draft for the next revision of IEEE 1547 dramatically changes the requirements for inverters, including staying online for many frequency & voltage excursions as well as providing voltage regulation. Here is a link to an overview of the proposed changes:

https://class.ee.washington.edu/500/2016aut-e/16-10-20 Pres Boemer P1547.pdf

 

[ThePunisher]

Thanks Bacon4life for the shared information. Though this is not yet approved for use, it will also provide me additional insight of what the industry have been putting together based on lessons learned.

I will read it today and comment as needed later.

Regards...a star for you also by the way.