Installation Manual: 22.8kWh

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A properly sized PHI battery bank based on the maximum draw of the essential loads sub-panel has a minimum

of 4 batteries, even in this Grid-Tied with Battery Backup application. Note also that during a grid failure, the

essential loads’ maximum energy draw (kWh) is also limited by the battery bank’s capacity.

Limited to Home

Checking the Limited power to Home box in the Limiter tab of the Sol-Ark’s Grid Setup / Grid Param menu

allows for all loads* (on both the essential loads sub-panel and the main house breaker panel) to be powered

using the connected solar PV and/or batteries. The Sol-Ark prioritizes powering these loads from solar PV first

(if available), then (2) grid, (3) generator, and (4) batteries. To prioritize the batteries’ use over the grid or

generator during specific set times, also use the Time of Use Selling mode.

*While the Limited to Home mode allows for all loads to be powered using solar PV and/or batteries, the Sol-

Ark prioritizes powering loads on the essential loads sub-panel first, and loads on the main house breaker panel

are offset by solar (and/or batteries, during Time of Use Selling mode times) as much as possible. If the loads’

draw exceeds the available power from the solar PV array and (with Time of Use Selling mode also in play) the

batteries have also discharged to their minimum programmed SoC percentage level, the Sol-Ark will then

resort to powering loads using grid power.

CAUTION: In Limited to Home mode, limiter sensors are required to ensure that the home’s main breaker

panel circuits are powered without exporting energy to the grid.

Limited to Load

Checking the Limited power to load box in the Limiter tab of the Sol-Ark’s Grid Setup / Grid Param menu

discharges the battery to power the essential loads sub-panel’s loads. The Limited to Load mode does not allow

for any solar or battery energy to power the main house breaker panel and it does not allow for any solar or

battery energy to be exported to the grid.

Figure 23.0 – Limiter Tab in Grid Setup Menu

Time of Use Selling / Energy Arbitrage

Discharge batteries to power circuits during specific set times. Program these times to coincide with the utility

company’s peak pricing times to avoid high energy charges from the utility.

Homeowners who have a net energy metering agreement with the utility company can use both Grid Sell and

Time of Use Selling modes to sell solar PV and battery energy (until the minimum programmed SoC percentage

level) back to the grid during peak sun-hour times and then discharge the batteries during programmed times,

usually in the afternoon and evening. Depending on whether Limited power to load or Limited Power to Home is

enabled, the batteries will power either the essential loads sub-panel only (Limited to Load) or the essential loads

sub-panel and the main house breaker panel (Limited to Home) during the Time of Use Selling time period. Make

sure to size the battery accordingly. (Refer to the Discharge Example in the Grid Sell / Grid-Tied with Battery

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