Keeping Solar Panels online with Powershare during power outage

[MilliM]

If you have the PowerShare equipment it’s possible to do so. I’m not smart enough to tell you exactly what type of system can or can’t, but it most definitely can be done in some cases if you drop the solar straight to the PowerShare unit.

Sponsored

 

[MilliM]

Another discussion here….

https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...olar-while-islanding-without-powerwall.37263/

 

[mongo]

I thought my solar panels could charge my Cybertruck in the event of a power outrage. I just asked Google Gemini how I could tell if my panels could charge my truck. It said that with REC panels and enphase micro inverters, without a Tesla Powerwall, my system cannot charge my Cybertruck. It said I would need a Tesla inverter to charge the Cybertruck.

If the inverters are UL1741, under 11.5kW of output, and on the backed up side of the Powershare Gateway, you should be all set.
If you don't have Powershare, you would need grid forming inverters and to monitor the charge current carefully.

 

[zeke]

I thought my solar panels could charge my Cybertruck in the event of a power outrage. I just asked Google Gemini how I could tell if my panels could charge my truck. It said that with REC panels and enphase micro inverters, without a Tesla Powerwall, my system cannot charge my Cybertruck. It said I would need a Tesla inverter to charge the Cybertruck.

That is correct. You need the 3V Gateway or other battery system if you want your solar panels to stay online during outages. Otherwise they must shut down within 300ms of a grid outage.

 

[PhilEsq]

That is correct. You need the 3V Gateway or other battery system if you want your solar panels to stay online during outages. Otherwise they must shut down within 300ms of a grid outage.

But with the Tesla Powerwall I can't use the truck to back up my house.

 

[zeke]

But with the Tesla Powerwall I can't use the truck to back up my house.

Correct. Which is bonkers. Honestly they should at the very least create a way to island the batteries such that during outages ONLY the truck provides battery storage and power.

 

[cyberHowie]

I have the poor man's powershare - using 50A outlet in the bed connected to 50A receptacle with interlock kit on my panel. I have a 6kw non-battery solar system but too scared to turn it on when using my backup power.
Anyone have experience with this?

 

[mongo]

I have the poor man's powershare - using 50A outlet in the bed connected to 50A receptacle with interlock kit on my panel. I have a 6kw non-battery solar system but too scared to turn it on when using my backup power.
Anyone have experience with this?

Solarin that setup is most likely not going to work. Outlet mode does not expect external power and probably won't try to charge the truck.

 

[HaulingAss]

But with the Tesla Powerwall I can't use the truck to back up my house.

Tesla said the software update that will allow Powershare to grid-form with the Cybertruck is coming out this year. Based on that, I recently installed a solar/single Powerwall system to use with my Cybertruck when it's released.

 

[mongo]

Correct. Which is bonkers. Honestly they should at the very least create a way to island the batteries such that during outages ONLY the truck provides battery storage and power.

The issue is there is no neutral connection in the Wall Connector. So, even if there were software to only engage the isolation switch and report its status, the Powerwall would need to be active to supply neutral (which also requires shifting power from the hot legs).

End result is not much different than full backup operation.

 

[PhilEsq]

Tesla said the software update that will allow Powershare to grid-form with the Cybertruck is coming out this year. Based on that, I recently installed a solar/single Powerwall system to use with my Cybertruck when it's released.

1I ordered two Powerwalls last October but didn't go through with the order because it was unknown if or when Tesla would ever come out with the software and it looked like Tesla wouldn't be able to install the Powerwalls before the end of the year to obtain the tax credit. I'll probably wait for the next generation of Powerwalls.

 

[HaulingAss]

1I ordered two Powerwalls last October but didn't go through with the order because it was unknown if or when Tesla would ever come out with the software and it looked like Tesla wouldn't be able to install the Powerwalls before the end of the year to obtain the tax credit. I'll probably wait for the next generation of Powerwalls.

The current Gen 3 hit the sweet spot, sure, tech keeps improving but it's a fool's errand to wait for new technology that will almost certainly only be minor incremental upgrades. Tesla is constantly upgrading the Powerwall firmware with new features, new hardware is typically not required to take advantage of the new features that are enabled with regular software updates.

You don't have to use Tesla Power for the install, any certified solar installer can do it. I had a pick of at least three independent solar companies in my area. I'm really pleased with the performance of the system and the Silfab 440 panels in particular. The tax credit is pretty minor relative to having solar vs. not having solar. Just bite the bullet and do it!

I had to eliminate one solar company who insisted on using an AC coupled solar system.

Beyond eliminating conversion losses, a DC-coupled system simplifies design by using fewer components (fewer parts to fail) and allows for easier future expansions using DC-only expansion packs. It also enables more reliable off-grid charging and higher peak solar input than older AC-coupled solutions.

A DC system using Tesla Powerwall provides several distinct engineering and operational advantages:

• Lower Hardware Costs & Simpler Design: By using a single inverter for both solar panels and battery storage, you require fewer balance-of-system components (such as extra voltage transformers and switchgear).

• Enhanced Off-Grid Performance: During a grid outage, DC-coupled systems can trickle-charge the battery from the solar panels even in low-sunlight or low-input conditions. AC systems can cycle on and off constantly until solar generation exceeds total household usage.

• Higher Solar Capacity Limits: Traditional AC-coupled systems historically restricted the amount of solar power that could be tied into the battery. Systems like the DC-coupled Powerwall 3 can handle heavy solar input (often up to 20 kW DC), making it much easier to add solar capacity without overloading inverter limits.

 

[PhilEsq]

The current Gen 3 hit the sweet spot, sure, tech keeps improving but it's a fool's errand to wait for new technology that will almost certainly only be minor incremental upgrades. Tesla is constantly upgrading the Powerwall firmware with new features, new hardware is typically not required to take advantage of the new features that are enabled with regular software updates.

You don't have to use Tesla Power for the install, any certified solar installer can do it. I had a pick of at least three independent solar companies in my area. I'm really pleased with the performance of the system and the Silfab 440 panels in particular. The tax credit is pretty minor relative to having solar vs. not having solar. Just bite the bullet and do it!

I had to eliminate one solar company who insisted on using an AC coupled solar system.

Beyond eliminating conversion losses, a DC-coupled system simplifies design by using fewer components (fewer parts to fail) and allows for easier future expansions using DC-only expansion packs. It also enables more reliable off-grid charging and higher peak solar input than older AC-coupled solutions.

A DC system using Tesla Powerwall provides several distinct engineering and operational advantages:

• Lower Hardware Costs & Simpler Design: By using a single inverter for both solar panels and battery storage, you require fewer balance-of-system components (such as extra voltage transformers and switchgear).

• Enhanced Off-Grid Performance: During a grid outage, DC-coupled systems can trickle-charge the battery from the solar panels even in low-sunlight or low-input conditions. AC systems can cycle on and off constantly until solar generation exceeds total household usage.

• Higher Solar Capacity Limits: Traditional AC-coupled systems historically restricted the amount of solar power that could be tied into the battery. Systems like the DC-coupled Powerwall 3 can handle heavy solar input (often up to 20 kW DC), making it much easier to add solar capacity without overloading inverter limits.

Last October, I installed a 22.54 kW solar system with REC 460aa pure rx and Enphase microinverters. In a couple of years I might consider installing central heat pumps, a few additional solar panels, and a couple of Powerwalls.

 

[HaulingAss]

Last October, I installed a 22.54 kW solar system with REC 460aa pure rx and Enphase microinverters. In a couple of years I might consider installing central heat pumps, a few additional solar panels, and a couple of Powerwalls.

Would you convert it to a DC-coupled system or just leave it an AC system (and maybe add more inverters)?

 

[PhilEsq]

Would you convert it to a DC-coupled system or just leave it an AC system (and maybe add more inverters)?

I don't understand that. The only thing I know is that solar panels create DC current and the microinverters convert it to AC. I would add more panels and each panel has its own microinverter. I believe I currently produce a little more power than I need so I would install heat pumps first and see how many more panels I would need. After running them for a little while. Also I want to install cold climate heat pumps because the regular heat pumps use an electric element to directly heat the air, which requires a humidifier.

Sponsored