April 21, 2021 27
o Use your batteries to reduce power consumption from the grid during a user programable peak pricing
window of time.
1. Main Menu → System Settings → Grid Setup → Limiter → Time Of Use
o Power source priority:
1. Solar Panels
2. Batteries (until programable % discharge is reached)
3. Grid (can control when Grid charges)
• Off-Grid (powering loads)
o This mode does not need to be programmed, Sol-Ark 5K will automatically operate in Off-Grid Mode in
the absence of the grid.
o Power source priority is as follows:
1. Solar Panels
2. Batteries
3. Generator
• Note: Grid Sell and Limited to Home modes can be selected simultaneously
o This changes the meaning of the load (light bulb) icon on the home screen to include both the load
breaker power and the contribution of power being produced that is being consumed locally by the
home.
Backup Generator Setup:
• Portable Generators (typically less than 10kW)
o Connect to the generator output to the generator input
breakers in the Sol-Ark 5K user panel.
o Main Menu → System Settings → Battery Setup → Charge →
Gen charge (only for Gen breakers)
• Standby Generators
o Usually, large generators have a whole home transfer switch
that feeds the home. If using a single 5K for your install, we
suggest not using the generator input breakers in the Sol-Ark
but your normal home wiring to distribute the Generator’s
power (through your existing Gen transfer switch).
o If off grid, connect the output of the Generator directly to the
Grid input on the Sol-Ark 5K. It can then treat the generator as
if it were the grid.
o Under setup for Grid/Sell Control, select General Standard and
“GEN connect to Grid Input”. Then go to Grid/Grid input to
widen the input frequency range to 55-65Hz to work with any
frequency generator.
o Main Menu → System Settings → Battery Setup → Charge →
Grid charge (only for Grid breakers)
• Auto Gen Start Signal
o Automatically start compatible backup generators
o The threshold at which gen charging is triggered can be set
using the input boxes above the checkbox.
o Main Menu → System Settings → Battery Setup → Charge →
Gen or Grid charge (%Batt or V)
Sensors:
• Limiter Sensors (Current Sensors)
Weekly Generator
Test
If your Sol-Ark is up to date with
MCU version xx73 or newer, you will
experience weekly generator tests.
These tests occur at 8AM (local
time) every Monday.
The test takes approximately 20
minutes to complete. During that
time, the generator will auto-start
and auto-stop.
Please note:
If you are on-grid and grid is
present, the generator will not
provide power during this test.
If you are off-grid the generator will
charge batteries and provide power
to loads during the test.
To Next Page
Loading...
