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PVP1800, PVP2800
Installation and Operation Manual
PV Powered
Delivering Tomorrow’s Solar Technology . . . Today
PV Powered LLC 18-28-405
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StarInverter PVP1800, PVP2800 Table of Contents IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION 3 2.0 INSTALLATION 4 2.1 SELECTING A LOCATION FOR THE STARINVERTER 4 2.2 MOUNTING THE STARINVERTER 5 2.2.A STEPS TO MOUNT THE STARINVERTER 5 2.3 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION 7 2.3.A GROUNDING 8 2.3.B CONNECTING THE STARINVERTER TO THE ELECTRICAL GRID 9 2.3.C CONNECTING DC WIRES/PV PANELS 11 2.3.D CONNECTING COMMUNICATIONS (OPTIONAL STEP) 13 3.0 OPERATION 14 3.1 START UP PROC
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS This product has been engineered and manufactured to ensure your personal safety. Improper use may result in potential electrical shock or burns. Please read and follow all instructions for installation, use and servicing of this product. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS – This manual contains important instructions for the StarInverter model numbers PVP1800 and PVP2800 that must be followed during installation and maintenance of the StarInverter.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION The PV Powered StarInverter is a utility interactive inverter for photovoltaic (PV) systems. The StarInverter is tied to an electrical source provided by the local utility company (i.e. on-grid), as well as to the photovoltaic system. The StarInverter contains everything needed to convert the DC voltage generated by the solar arrays into the AC voltage required to power a house. Because the inverter is tied to a local utility source, if a house’s electrical ne
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2.0 INSTALLATION 2.1 Selecting a Location for the StarInverter In choosing a location for the StarInverter, consideration should be given to the following criteria: ♦ The heat sink temperatures can exceed 158 degrees (70° C). The StarInverter must be installed so that the top of the unit will not come into contact with persons. ♦ The StarInverter is suitable for installation both indoors and outdoors and the enclosure has been given a NEMA 3R rating. ♦ When the Star
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2.2 Mounting the StarInverter The StarInverter should be mounted vertically to a flat, solid surface such as wallboard, concrete or wood siding. The inverter should be located in close proximity to the solar panels to minimize the DC wire length. The two mounting brackets provided make mounting the StarInverter quick and simple. There is one bracket for the top and one for the bottom. The two screw holes in each bracket are 16 inches apart. Once the wall studs are located
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4. Attach the lower bracket to the inverter using the two screws provided. 5. Insert the two mounting screws through the mounting holes located below the power board at the bottom of the cabinet and tighten securely. Figure 3 5. Carefully bring the inverter right side up and hang it on the upper bracket. 6. Verify inverter is level. Seal the upper mounting holes on the inverter with RTV. 7. Mark the locations of the lower mounting bracket holes. Drill holes into s
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2.3 Electrical Connection Do not proceed with the electrical connection of the StarInverter until it has been properly mounted. WARNING: Electrical connections must be done in accordance with local electrical codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70. Use 10 AWG, minimum 90° (194°F), copper wire for all PVP1800 and PVP2800 connections. Voltage drop as well as other considerations may dictate that larger wire sizes be used. WARNING: Make sure the main
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Figure 7: AC and PV Grounding 2.3.b Connecting the StarInverter to the Electrical Grid Inside the StarInverter are two circuit boards: ♦ The Control Board ♦ The Power Distribution Board with a D-sub socket or an optional terminal block for communications to a personal computer and: • The AC connection terminal • The DC connection terminal • The Internal AC grid fuse(s) WARNING: For continued protection against risk of fire, replace only with same type an
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WARNING: Make sure the main 120/208/240 V breaker at the circuit breaker panel is switched off before you connect the AC terminal block. To wire the StarInverter to the main utility grid, follow the steps outlined below (refer to Figure 8): 1. Run the conduit from the main breaker panel to the bottom of the StarInverter and insert the fitting in the center opening of the StarInverter, fastening with a locking nut. 2. Feed the LINE, LINE 2/NEUTRAL and GROUND w
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2.3.c Connecting DC Wires/PV Panels WARNING: Before proceeding with the DC wiring, completely cover the surface of all PV-arrays with dark material to avoid the production of electrical current. WARNING: Make sure the polarity and the PV panel voltage between the + and the – cable connectors of the PV panels are correct. Then connect the panels to the DC terminal block on the power distribution board. The PV panel open circuit voltage should be at or below the listed v
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7. Confirm that the DC disconnect is turned off and remove the material from the array. With a voltmeter, check the PV array positive leads and confirm that the voltage is positive when referenced to the negative leads. The reading should match your series Voc total. Figure 10: DC Wiring PV Powered LLC 12 18-28-405
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2.3.d Connecting Communications (Optional Step) To connect the communications and load the software, follow the steps outlined below (Refer to Figures 11 and 12): 1. Hardwire the communications cable to the communication terminal, or plug in the D-sub cable to the serial port. Figure 11: Communications located on the Power Distribution Board Serial Connection Table 5 Pin Screw Serial Cable Serial Functio
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3.0 OPERATION 3.1 Start Up Procedures for the StarInverter WARNING: Before turning on the StarInverter ensure that the front panel is closed properly. WARNING: The heat sink can reach temperatures in excess of 158º (70ºC). Care must be taken to not touch the heat sink when in use. Nothing should be placed on top of the heat sink. Starting up the StarInverter requires the following steps in the order indicated below: 1. Turn the AC breaker ON. 2. Verify t
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The StarInverter is continuously monitoring: 1. The AC grid connection to ensure the AC voltage and frequency levels are within safe operating limits (per UL and NEC specifications). 2. The DC PV panel input(s) to ensure safe operating conditions (per UL and NEC specifications). 3. The StarInverter itself to ensure only safe operating conditions exist within the operating environment. If all 3 conditions are met, the inverter will illuminate the “OK” (Green) LED. If an
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If you are monitoring your inverter from a remote location (see figure 15): 1) Select Client under Remote Mode. 2) Select an available Com port (this may be selected automatically for you). 3) Under Remote Server (Client Mode) enter the IP Address and Port of the host Server (noted above). 4) Click on Apply. Figure 13: Communication Setup Figure 14: Communicati
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3.3.a Data Logging with the PVP Command Center Information obtained by the PVP Command Center is easily exported to an Excel spreadsheet where the following data is logged in one-minute increments: • Date • Time • Utility RMS Voltage • PV RMS Current • PV DC In Voltage • Power Out (AC Watts) • Heat Sink Temperature To activate the Excel data logging capability (Refer to Figure 17): 1) From the Main Screen of the Command Center click on Setup>Toggle Data Logging Off/On t
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4.0 TROUBLESHOOTING If the StarInverter’s “STAND BY” LED remains solid red or blinking red for a prolonged period (more than 24 hours), the AC breaker or AC disconnect should be turned to the OFF position for 1 minute and then returned to the ON position. After reset, if both AC and DC operational specifications are met, the red LED is OFF and the green LED is illuminated. If after AC is reset the red “STAND BY” light remains illuminated or blinking, double-check all connection
