Installation manual

Inverter

There are two types of inverters: battery-based ones for

stand-alone off-grid systems, and grid-tie ones that do

not use batteries. Both convert DC to AC power.

Battery based inverters convert the energy generated

by your PowerSpout or stored by the battery bank to a

voltage and frequency suitable for typical household

appliances – usually 230/240 V in Europe/Australasia

and 110/120 V in North America. Square wave or

‘modified sine wave’ inverters tend to be cheaper but

pure sine wave inverters produce a higher quality

waveform that is necessary for more sensitive

electronics commonly found in the modern home.

Induction motors (as found in most refrigerators,

workshop machine tools and air compressors) tend to overheat when used on square wave

inverters. Large induction motors starting direct on line draw high currents and need an over-

sized inverter to start even on pure sign wave inverter.

Inverters are available in a variety of power ratings (depending on the intended loads) and

with a variety of surge ratings. A high surge rating allows loads with a high start-up power

surge to run without overloading/tripping the inverter, or failing to start at all. Some inverters

can also serve as controlled battery chargers using input from backup petrol/diesel/LPG

generators.

5.14. Grid connect inverters

Where the utility grid is present, you will not need to use a battery. Connect the turbine to

the grid using a grid-connect (or "grid-tie") inverter. This is different from a battery inverter.

It only works in the presence of the AC grid. It is manufactured for the purpose of converting

solar PV panel output into grid power. It will use a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

technique to keep your turbine running at the optimum speed. As with MPPT controllers

above, your need to be sure that the inverter cannot be damaged by the turbine's "open

circuit voltage" or Voc when running "off-load" (see Section 3.5).

Generally where the inverter manufacturer approves hydro connection the PowerSpout

turbines will operate and track correctly. With 100’s of grid connect inverters on the market it

is not possible to test compatibility with more than a few. Only a few manufacturers warrant

hydro input.

We no longer make PowerSpout turbines with internal PWM regulation of cable voltage (ME

and GE products that limited their output voltage to avoid damaging the inverter). This

change was made in May 2013 due to the fact than many MPPT controllers and grid connect

inverters (for example the Enasolar and Power-one) can now operate over a very large

voltage range, thus minimising demand for such a product. As long as the correct

combination of PowerSpout turbine and inverter are selected then internal regulation is

rarely needed. The main exception is where the turbine is a very long distance away from

the home and the maximum possible cable voltage is required.

Outback inverter and

controller system