The PV system 4-12 is a mid-sized residential solar electric (photovoltaic) system. The system is designed to meet the needs of a four-person, energy-efficient household. The standard system includes a 960-watt photovoltaic array and a 880 amp-hour, 24-volt battery bank. An Ananda Powercenterâ„¢ is also included which provides PV charge regulation, safety switches, and inverter and battery bank cables. The system includes an easy to read, wall mounted digital monitor that measures solar charging current, household load, and battery bank voltage. System 4-12 utilizes the Trace DR2424 inverter (2400 watts) which converts battery power to standard 120-volt alternating current (AC). An optional 6.5-kW Kohler slow-speed generator is available for back-up battery charging or running large 240 VAC loads.
Features:
- Choice of Solarex VLX or MSX modules
- Choice of standard or high-performance battery bank
- Pre-assembled control center with all cables
- Trace DR2424 inverter with built-in battery charger
- Remote digital voltage and current monitor
- Complete installation and operation manual
- Easily expandable for larger PV or inverter size
- Optional Kohler generator with remote start
Operation:
During sunlight hours, the photovoltaic array generates direct current (DC) power at 24 volts. This power is then regulated by the PV charge controller and distributed to the AC inverter or stored in the deep cycle battery bank. At night and during cloudy periods, power stored in the batteries is used to power household loads.
The inverter draws DC power from the battery or PV array and converts it to 120 volts AC which is distributed to the household AC loads through a standard load center with circuit breakers. DC power is also available from the control center for powering special high-efficiency equipment such as a Sunfrost refrigerator.
Most of our residential photovoltaic systems are “hybrid” systems that use an optional slow-speed generator to supplement the output of the PV array. When the inverter senses AC power from the generator, an automatic transfer switch is activated transferring household loads to the generator and turning the inverter into a 60-amp battery charger. When the generator is turned off, household loads are transferred automatically back to the inverter.
Components and Capabilities:
- 12 Solarex VLX-80 modules, 960 watts peak solar array. Expandable to 36 modules (2880 watts peak).
- 16 Trojan T-105 batteries (880 amp-hour at 24 VDC). Expandable to 1,320 amp-hours.
- 1 Trace DR2424 inverter, 2400-watt, 24 VDC input, 120 VAC ouput, with 70-amp three stage battery charger.
- Ananda Powercenterâ„¢ 3-202 with 60 amp PV input; adjustable charge termination setpoint; 200-amp, 2-pole DC safety switch for inverter and battery bank disconnect; generator load center; and battery and inverter cables.
- 1 Tri-Metric digital monitor showing battery current, battery voltage, and battery bank amp-hours used.
Options:
Backup Generator
This option provides a 6.5-kW Kohler slow speed generator complete with remote start switch, hour run meter, and silencer housing. 120-volt output from the generator is wired into the generator load center on the Powercenterâ„¢. The generator can supply 240-volt AC power if needed with an optional inverter input transformer.
High Performance Battery Bank
For larger systems, with over a 1,000 amp-hour battery bank, we recommend using the Hup Solar-One battery. These batteries are industrial quality units that carry a 10-year warranty. Amp hour capacities range from 845 AH to 1690 AH.
Inverters Upgrades
System 4-12 is available with the larger Trace DR3624 inverter to provide 3,600 watts of power. The system can also be supplied with dual inverters to provide 240 VAC service and up to 7 kW of inverter capacity.
MSX Modules
Solarex MSX modules are high efficiency, industrial grade modules that carry a 20-year warranty against loss of power. They are available in 60, 64, 77, and 83-watt sizes.