AC Coupling with Microinverter Systems

ManualsBrandsChilicon Power ManualsSolar & Wind PowerCP-250E-60/72-208/240-MC4-MTC with integrated branch cable

September 1, 2016

[GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES]

Grid Interactive Advanced Features

Self-Supply Mode

CHILICON POWER MICROINVERTERS AND CP-100 CORTEX GATEWAY SYSTEM

OVERVIEW

WHAT IS SELF-SUPPLY MODE?

In some jurisdictions, utility companies will not allow, or will enforce rate structures that penalize customers for

exporting power backward past the utility meter. In Hawaii, for example, a new type of solar permit can be applied

for in which the customer is allowed to install solar, but the installed system must be certified to operate with HECO

rule-14 ‘Self-Supply Mode’. Chilicon Power’s inverter and monitoring system are certified for this operation:

https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/Documents/clean_energy_hawaii/list_of_advanced_legacy_equipment.pdf

The Self-Supply Mode of operation means that the grid-interactive inverter system will at most match the local

load, but will not exceed the local load. This condition guarantees that no export of current to the utility will occur.

Chilicon Power Advanced Inverter functions

255v 265v

Grid Voltage

285

Watts

• Volt-Watt Control: Allows inverters to

automatically back-off production in order to

limit grid voltage rise.

• Power Factor Control: -0.8 to +0.8

required in some jurisdictions as a

rule-21 advanced inverter feature.

• CT Controlled Production Modes: Controlling

microinverter array production based on CT

clamp information.

Summary of content (11 pages)

PAGE 1
September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] Grid Interactive Advanced Features Self-Supply Mode CHILICON POWER MICROINVERTERS AND CP-100 CORTEX GATEWAY SYSTEM OVERVIEW Chilicon Power Advanced Inverter functions • Power Factor Control: -0.8 to +0.8 required in some jurisdictions as a rule-21 advanced inverter feature. 285 • Volt-Watt Control: Allows inverters to automatically back-off production in order to limit grid voltage rise.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] THEORY OF OPERATION In order to achieve no net export, which is equivalent to the solar production not exceeding the local load, CT clamps that measure total power consumption are used.
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September 1, 2016 Figure 2 Example of a valid CT Clamp Position [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] Figure 3 Example of 120V Voltage Sense Connection Note that the Gen5 HEM should be installed outside of the panel if possible to allow best wireless transmission. Alternatively, it can be installed inside the panel if a repeater is installed immediately on the interior wall opposite the utility panel.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] INSTALLING Z-WAVE HOME ENERGY METER PAIRING THE HEM (HOME ENERGY METER) The first step is to pair the HEM with the Gateway so that they can communicate with each other over the Z-Wave wireless network. It is easier to pair HEM with the Gateway BEFORE installing them in the circuit box or disconnect panels. This ensures there are in range of each other and that the wireless link is strong.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] The next step is to add the HEM to the list of paired devices. Press the “Add” button and then press the button on the back of the HEM device once. If your meter has been successfully paired to your network, its light will remain solid. If the pairing was unsuccessful, the light will blink. If that is the case, try repeating the procedure again.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] The next step is to define the logical meters. This is most easily done by hitting ‘Auto-Setup Meter’. Logical meter definitions are called ‘logical because they are not physical hardware but based on a mathematical expression containing HEM reported valued. Logical meters are used to record and display the information gathered by the HEMs. To set up, press the “Manage Power” button. This opens up the logical meter setup.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] Then, on third from right icon on lower right shows ‘zWave’, hit this icon to enter the zWave Diagnostic Screen. On this menu, you can see the polarity of the flowing current. At night or when the PV array is disconnected, you should see NEGATIVE values for watts. This is the convention for CONSUMPTION.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] Also, you SHOULD VERIFY that the Power (W) fields ALWAYS UPDATEs EVERY 5 seconds. If the update rate is slower, then the communication is spotty. To fix this, add zWave repeater modules in the path between the gateway and the Gen5 HEM, or relocate the gateway. You MUST have good zWave communication between the CP-100 gateway and the Gen5 HEM for self-supply mode to operate successfully.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] A From the Power Management and Control Settings menu, click “Settings”. The program the required minimum consumption, 0 Watts is the default, placing a larger value creates more margin to grid-backfeed events. 200 Watts is a reasonable number to use. In addition, make sure the check box ‘Avoid Net Production’ is selected. The system will no continually program the microinverters, based on the Gen5 HEM net meter information to prevent backfeed.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] microinverters should automatically power off within 30 seconds on not receiving any update information from the gateway. FINAL RESULT The resulting typical operation of a system operating in Self-Supply Mode can be seen in the plot below, this plot can be viewed by clicking on the graph view on the gateway top level user menu, to make the view expand to full screen. The Red curve shows NET power through the day.
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September 1, 2016 [GRID INTERACTIVE ADVANCED FEATURES] FURTHER SUPPORT If you have further questions or if this document is not clear enough on certain aspects, please email support@chiliconpower.com.