Solectria Renewables SGI 500 User manual

Installation and Operation Manual Rev B

SGI 225

SGI 250

SGI 266

SGI 300

SGI 500

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL

Revision B

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 2

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

In this manual “Inverter” or “Inverters” refers to the inverter models: SGI 225, SGI 250, SGI 266,

SGI 300 and SGI 500 unless one of the specific models is noted.

This manual contains important instructions that shall be followed during installation and

maintenance of the SGI Inverter.

To reduce the risk of electrical shock, and to ensure the safe installation and operation of the

inverter, the following safety symbols are used to indicate dangerous conditions and important

safety instructions.

WARNING: This indicates a fact or feature very important for the safety of the user

and/or which can cause serious hardware damage if not applied appropriately.

Use extreme caution when performing this task.

NOTE: This indicates a feature that is important either for optimal and efficient

use or optimal system operation.

EXAMPLE: This indicates an example.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 3

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

All electrical installations shall be performed in accordance with the local, American and Canadian electrical

codes ANSI/NFPA 70.

The Inverter contains no user serviceable parts. Please contact Solectria Renewables or a Solectria

Renewables authorized system installer for maintenance. (Appendix C for Solectria Renewables contact

information and authorized system installers.)

Before installing or using the Inverter, please read all instructions and caution markings in this manual and on

the Inverter unit as well as the PV modules.

Connection of the Inverter to the electric utility grid must be completed after receiving prior approval from

the utility company (unless connection agreement) and must only be performed by qualified personnel.

Completely cover the surface of all PV-arrays with opaque (dark) material before wiring them. PV arrays

produce electrical energy when exposed to light and could create a hazardous condition.

The inverter enclosure and disconnects must be locked (requiring a tool or key for access) for protection

against risk of injury to persons. The enclosure includes a lockable handle and comes with a key. Keep the key

in a safe location in case access to the cabinet is needed. (A replacement for a lost key can be purchased from

Solectria Renewables.)

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

PRESCRIPTIONS DE SECURITE IMPORTANTES

Tous les travaux d’installation électrique doivent être exécutés en conformité aux normes

électriques locales ainsi qu’à la norme nationale américaine et canadienne ANSI/NFPA 70.

Le SGI ne contient aucune pièce requérant un entretient effectué

par l‘utilisateur. Pour toute maintenance, veuillez consulter Solectria Renewables ou un installateur agréé par

Solectria Renewables (les coordonnées de Solectria Renewables et des installateurs agréés sont indiquées sur le

site web de Solectria Renewables: www.solren.com.

Avant d’installer ou d’utiliser le SGI, veuillez lire toutes instructions et toutes les mises en garde présentes

dans ce manuel, sur le SGI et sur les modules PV.

Le raccordement du SGI au réseau électrique ne doit être effectuée qu’après avoir obtenu une entente

d’interconnexion auprès de la compagnie locale de distribution électrique et uniquement par du personnel

autorisé et qualifié.

La surface de tous les capteurs PV doivent être recouverte entièrement d’un matériel opaque

(noir) avant de procéder au câblage. Les capteurs PV exposés a la lumière produisent du courant électrique

susceptible de créer une situation de risque.

CONSERVEZ CES INSTRUCTIONS

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 4

Table of Contents

1Introduction………………………………………………………………..…………… 5

2Site Preparation and Inverter Placement..……………………..………… 7

2.1 Inverter Positioning……..…………………………………...……… 9

2.2 Mounting Details.……………………………………………..……… 10

2.3 DC and AC Wire Entry Points. …………………………………… 11

3Installation………………………………….……………………………………………. 12

3.1 Checking for Shipping Damage…………………………………. 12

3.2 Inverter Mounting……………………………………………………. 13

4Electrical Connections and Connecting to Grid.……………………..…. 16

4.1 Grounding Electrode Conductor……………………………….. 16

4.2 DC Wiring…..……………………………………………………………… 17

4.3 DC Ground Fault Detection and Interruption…………….. 21

4.4 AC Wiring………………………………………………………………….. 22

4.5 Connection to Electric Utility Grid……………………………… 22

4.6 AC Ground Fault Detection………………………………………... 24

4.7 Lightning and Surge Protection………………………………….. 24

4.8 SolrenView Monitoring………………………………………….…… 25

5Commissioning the Inverter…………………..………….………………....…… 26

5.1 Turning on the inverter………………………………………………. 26

5.2 Operation…………………………………………………………………… 26

6Display and LED……………………..………………………………..………………… 27

6.1 LCD Display………………………………………………………………… 27

6.2 LED Lights…………………………………………………………………… 30

7Troubleshooting and LCD messages…………………………………………… 31

8Warranty and RMA Policy.…………………………………..…………….…….… 33

8.1 Warranty Policy………………………………………………………….. 33

8.2 Return Material Policy………………………………………………… 37

9Technical Data.…………………………………………………………………...……… 38

9.1 DC Input……………………………………………………………………… 38

9.2 AC Output…………………..…………………………………….………… 40

9.3 Other Specifications……………………………………………………. 40

10 Appendix A Data sheet link …….……………………………..…………...……… 43

Appendix B String Sizing link C ……............................................…… 43

Appendix C Contact Information…..……………………….……………….…… 43

Appendix D UL1741/CSA22.2 Listing Letter ………………………………… 44

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 5

1 Introduction

The SGI Series inverters (Smart Grid) are commercial, 3-phase grid-tied PV inverters designed to

be inter-connected to the electric utility grid. By following this manual the Inverters can be

installed and operated safely. This installation guide is used as reference for the commissioning

and as a guideline on how to use the inverter most effectively.

Feeding power into the grid involves conversion of the DC voltage from the PV-array to grid

compatible AC voltage by “inverting” DC to AC. This unit feeds power into a standard, 3-phase

commercial, industrial, institutional or electrical utility facility’s electrical system which is

connected to the electrical grid.

If the PV system and inverter are providing the same amount of electrical power that the facility

is using then no power is taken from or fed into the utility grid. If the facility is using more

power than the PV system is providing, then the utility grid provides the balance of power. If

the facility is using less power than the PV system is generating, then the excess is fed into the

utility grid.

Be sure to look into local regulations regarding Net Metering/inter-connection in your local

area. Note that some utilities need to change their revenue kWh meter for proper Net

metering measurement and billing.

Fig. 1.1 Grid tied inverter application

PV Array

SGI Series Inverter

Electrical

Grid

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 6

Figure 1.2 The SGI Inverter

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 7

2.0 Site Preparation and Inverter Placement

The Inverter is comprised of a rainproof industrial enclosure containing electrical and electronic

components and AC and DC integrated disconnects.

NOTE: If the Inverter is mounted outside, please make sure the enclosure doors

remain closed during the installation process in case of rain or snow. (Leaving these

doors open voids the warranty.)

Criteria for device mounting:

Because the power electronics are within the rainproof main enclosure, the inverter can be

mounted outdoors.

The maximum life for the inverter can be achieved by mounting the unit in a clean, dry and

cool location.

For optimal electrical system efficiency, use the shortest possible AC and DC cables and use

the maximum allowable cable size.

Avoid installation in close proximity to people or animals, as there is audible high-frequency

switching noise.

Install the inverter in an accessible location following NEC codes for enclosure and

disconnect door clearances and proximity to other equipment.

For optimal inverter life and performance, do not mount the inverter in direct sunlight,

especially in hot climates, although the inverter is designed to function at full power

continuously in up to 50oC ambient temperatures. In hot climates if the unit must be

mounted in direct sunlight a metal sun-shield is recommended. It is recommended that the

inverter is mounted on the north side of buildings or on the north side of a ground mount

PV array . It is also recommended to face to door north or east if possible.

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 8

CAUTION: Please follow these guidelines:

Be sure to verify load capacity of floor, roof or concrete pad mounting area.

Table 2.1 Weight and Required fork lift capacity

The ambient temperature must be between –25oC and +50oC for full power, continuous

operation. (The inverter will automatically reduce power or may shut down to protect itself

if ambient air temperature at the intake rises above 50oC).

The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that the inverter be connected to a dedicated

circuit and no other outlets or device may be connected to this circuit. See NEC Section

690-64(b)(1). The NEC also imposes limitations on the size of the inverter and the manner

in with it is connected to the utility grid. See NEC Section 690-64(b) (2).

The cooling air exhausts at the back of the unit. Nothing should block 6” clear space behind

the enclosure. Air should be able to flow from bottom to top along the back of the inverter.

It is also recommended to have 6” clearance on the left and right sides although this is not

required.

A minimum distance of 12 inches (300mm) must be clear above the inverter for ventilation.

If you are installing the inverter in a utility vault or electrical closet, the air circulation must

be sufficient for heat dissipation –provide external ventilation, to maintain an ambient

condition of less than 50oC. The ambient temperature should be kept as low as possible at

all times.

Table 2.2 indoor cooling requirements

Inverter Model Weight Fork Lift

SGI 500 6980 lbs. 8000 lbs

SGI 300 5650 lbs. 6000 lbs

SGI 225 255 266 5170 lbs 6000 lbs

Model Max. heat loss

SGI 500 55000 Btu/hr

SGI 300 32000 Btu/hr

SGI 266 28000 Btu/hr

SGI 250 26000 Btu/hr

SGI 225 24000 Btu/hr

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 9

2.1 Inverter Positioning

Correct mounting position for the inverter is vertical with the mounting feet on the floor. This

diagram shows the basic inverter dimensions:

2.2 Mounting Details

Using the mounting diagram Fig. 2.2, concrete pad mounting will be used. The inverter

includes mounting feet with 8 holes (1/2”, 12mm diameter) on a 105” x 34” rectangular

pattern for attaching the inverter. Note that these 4 mounting holes are 2” inside each

corner of the main inverter enclosure dimensions which are 37” x 109” (41” x 109” with

blower shrouds).

Figure 2.1 SGI 225 –SGI 500 dimensions

41” with blower shrouds.

SGI Series Inverters

Installation and Operation Manual (Rev B) 10

Figure 2.2 SGI Series mounting pattern (top view)

It is recommended to use eight hot dip galvanized grade 5 or 8 steel bolts or stainless steel

bolts. The correct bolt size is 3/8” (10mm) diameter. Use a heavy lock washer and flat

washer with each bolt. Alternatively, a “toe-plate” can be used at the end of each 4x4” tube

foot. After mounting is completed, remove shipping aids from front shrouds and inside unit.

WARNING: Severe injury or death could occur if the inverter mounting fails and

the unit tips over or falls on a person.

NOTE: The weight of the inverter will exert this added load to floor, roof or pad

where mounted. Be sure to verify proper load capacity of mounting surface.

NOTE: If the roof/floor mounting only uses the inverter’s mounting feet, be sure

you use all 8 available foot mount bolt positions.

Table of contents

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