simpliphi PHI-AMPLI-3-8-48-60 Power PHI Battery User Guide

simpliphi PHI-AMPLI-3-8-48-60 Power PHI Battery User Guide

INTRODUCTION

This integration guide covers the recommended set up and configuration of Sol- Ark equipment for optimizing performance with SimpliPhi’s 51.2 Voltnominal- model PHI batteries.

CAUTION: Pairing 48 Volt-rated inverters (such as the Sol-Ark-8K or Sol- Ark-12K) with batteries other than those rated at 51.2Vnom voids the PHI Battery Warranty.

More information on SimpliPhi products can be found on our website at https://simpliphipower.com/. All SimpliPhi Product Documentation can be found at https://simpliphipower.com/product-documentation/. More
information regarding Sol-Ark’s products can be found at https://www.sol- ark.com.

The Sol-Ark products covered in this guide are the Sol-Ark-8K-48-STand the Sol-Ark-12K-P. Limiter sensors and the critical loads sub-panel referenced in this Guide are included with a purchase of Sol-Ark equipment.

Contact SimpliPhi Power Technical Support (805-640-6700; (techsupport@simpliphipower.com) regarding any compatibility questions for products not listed in this guide.

PHI BATTERY BANK-TO-INVERTER CONNECTION

Wire the PHI Battery bank to the Sol-Ark according to the PHI Battery Installation Manual, not according to the Sol-Ark Manual:

Figure 1 – Sol-Ark to Battery Connection

It is acceptable but not required to use the ferrite choke on the positive and negative DC busbar-to-inverter leads (see Figure 1 above).

Do not install the Battery Temperature Sensor. The PHI Batteries require no temperature compensation.

BATTERY BANK SIZING

A properly sized PHI battery bank is sized to prevent over-discharge and over- charge from accompanying equipment. While the programming features of the Sol- Ark allow for battery discharging and charging according to specifically set parameters (refer to Section 4 of this Guide), the Sol-Ark does not limit the batteries’ maximum discharge current (Max A Discharge) in an off-grid or grid- failure scenario.

Therefore, the PHI battery bank should still be sized to protect against over- discharge. In the case of an AC Coupled system setup, the PHI battery bank should also be sized to protect against over-charge from the solar photovoltaic (PV) array. In a DC Coupled system, the PHI battery bank’s charge rate can be limited via Sol-Ark equipment programming (Max A Charge). When sizing the PHI battery bank according to both the discharge and charge criteria, use the greater of the two calculation results as the minimum quantity of PHI batteries in the bank.

Discharge Calculation: Inverter Power Bank Sizing
To protect against over-discharge (voiding the battery Warranty), the PHI battery bank should be sized so that the inverter’s load rate does not exceed the batteries’ maximum continuous discharge rate.
The discharge calculation uses the nomenclature below:

• Battery maximum continuous discharge rate (kWDC) = BatkW (typically @ C/2)
  = (maximum battery discharge current × battery voltage nominal)

• Inverter power full load (“load rate”) = InvkW

• Inverter DC-to-AC efficiency = Inveff
  Discharge Example: B #inv≥  Inv kw÷ Inv eff/ Bat kw

• Sol-Ark-8K inverter is rated at 8 kW

  • Depending on the Sol-Ark’s mode of operation (refer to Section 5 of this Guide), the inverter may power only loads on the critical loads sub-panel or it might power loads both on the critical loads sub-panel and the main house breaker panel. Consider the inverter’s mode when sizing the battery bank according to “load rate.”

• Sol-Ark-8K inverter DC-to-AC efficiency is 95.5%

• PHI 3.8 kWh-51.2Vnom battery has a maximum continuous discharge rate of 1.92 kWDC
  B #Inv≥  8 kw÷ 0.955 eff/ 1.92 kw=4.4

A properly sized PHI battery bank based on the maximum discharge of the inverter, or load rate, has a minimum of 5 batteries. This ensures that the battery bank does not over-discharge to power the loads. Refer to this Section 5 of this Guide to verify battery bank sizing in specific use cases.

Charge Calculation: AC Coupled Systems
To protect against over-charge (voiding the battery Warranty), the PHI battery bank should be sized so that the AC Coupled solar PV array’s power output does not exceed the batteries’ maximum continuous charge rate. In an AC Coupled system, significantly limiting the solar array’s charging power does not work well. Therefore, SimpliPhi and Sol-Ark recommend sizing a larger battery bank relative to the AC Coupled PV array. Specifically, multiply the batteries’ typical maximum continuous charge rate by a de-rate factor of 0.8 in this AC Coupled scenario.

The charge calculation uses the nomenclature below:

• Battery maximum continuous charge rate (kWDC) = BatkW (typically @ C/2)
  = (maximum battery charge current × battery voltage nominal)

• PV charge maximum = PVkW
  Charge Example: B#pv≥  pv kw/0.8× Bat kw

• AC Coupled Solar PV Array is rated at 8 kW

• PHI 3.8 kWh-51.2Vnom battery has a maximum continuous charge rate of 1.92 kWDC
  B#pv≥  8 kw/ 0.8 × 1092 kw

A properly sized PHI battery bank based on the maximum charge from the AC Coupled solar PV array has a minimum of 6 batteries. This ensures that the battery bank does not over charge from the AC Coupled solar PV.

When comparing the same system using both the discharge and charge calculations for sizing the PHI battery bank, the minimum number of batteries in the bank should be the greater of the two results. For instance, when examining the discharge calculation in the above example and the charge calculation in this AC Coupled example, 6 batteries should be used in the system.

CAUTION: Using fewer than the calculated number of PHI batteries in this AC Coupled charge calculation will void your PHI Battery Warranty. If a smaller PHI battery bank must be used, then the amount of AC Coupled solar PV in the battery-based system must also be reduced accordingly, and any excess solar must be wired to a separate system.

Charge Calculation: DC Coupled Systems
While the PHI battery bank’s charge rate in a DC Coupled system can be limited via Sol-Ark programming (Max A Charge), consider the PHI battery bank’s maximum continuous charge rate in the system’s design.

The charge calculation uses the nomenclature below:

• Battery maximum continuous charge rate (kWDC) = BatkW (typically @ C/2)
  = (maximum battery charge current × battery voltage nominal)

• PV charge maximum = PVkW

• Sol-Ark PV-to-Battery efficiency = Inveff
  Charge Example: B #pv≥  PV kw× inv eff/ Bat kw

• DC Coupled Solar PV Array is rated at 8 kW

• Sol-Ark PV-to-Battery efficiency is 97.5%

• PHI 3.8 kWh-51.2Vnom battery has a maximum continuous charge rate of 1.92 kWDC
  B#pv≥  8 kw× 0.975 eff/ 1.92 kw=4.06

A PHI battery bank utilizing the entire DC Coupled solar PV output potential has 5 batteries. However, programming the Max A Charge in the Sol-Ark to 150 A (4 × 37.5 ADC) would prevent the over-charging of a battery bank that includes only 4 batteries (refer to Section 4 of this Guide for complete programming details).

Homeowners with little to no loads on during the day (while solar power production is at its peak) might consider sizing a larger PHI battery bank to take advantage of the entire solar PV output potential for battery charging. Homeowners that consistently power loads during peak solar power production times may require a smaller sized battery bank.

PROGRAM SETTINGS FOR PHI BATTERIES

In order to maintain the PHI Battery Warranty, it is critical that the appropriate settings for the desired Warranty level are programmed in all system components. Failure to program the settings as described in this Guide will void your Battery Warranty.

Depth of Discharge
To optimize the PHI batteries’ and overall system’s performance and life, SimpliPhi Power recommends programming the equipment settings for an 80% maximum Depth of Discharge (DoD). Maintaining the PHI battery at this DoD qualifies it for the 10-year / 10,000 cycle Warranty level. SimpliPhi warranties the PHI battery for fewer cycles at greater DoD levels: 90% DoD is correlated with a 5,000-cycle Warranty and 100% DoD correlates with a 3,500-cycle Warranty.

CAUTION: If a firmware update is executed on the Sol-Ark equipment, ALL the settings must be reverified. The programmed settings shown in the following tables must be applied based on desired Warranty/Cycle life. The recommended is 80% Depth of Discharge.

Inverter and Charger Settings
Refer to Sol-Ark’s Menus and Programming online video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcXXzgfRT90&t=1497s) for guidance on programming the settings outlined in Table 1 below.

Press the gear icon to get to the Settings menu (Figure 2), then press Battery Setup (Figure 3) to program the parameters in Table 1 below.

Figure 2 – Sol-Ark Home Screen (Touchscreen), from the Sol-Ark Installation Manual

Figure 3 – Sol-Ark System Setup Screen, from the Sol-Ark Installation Manual

Table 1 – Sol-Ark Battery Settings for 51.2Vnom PHI Battery Models

System Setup > Battery Setup| 80% DoD
(10k cycle warranty)| 90% DoD
(5k cycle warranty)| 100% DoD
(3.5k cycle warranty)
---|---|---|---

Batt Tab|
__

Batt Capacity

| 75 Ah per PHI 3.8 battery
57 Ah per PHI 2.9-51.2 battery
__

Max A Charge1,2

| 37.5 ADC per PHI 3.8 battery (20 ADC per battery for reduced stress)
__

Max A Discharge1

| 37.5 ADC per PHI 3.8 battery
TEMPCO| 0 mv/C/Cell (disabled)
Use Batt V Charged| do not check this box
Use Batt % Charged| check this box
No Battery| do not check this box
BMS Lithium Batt| do not check this box
Activate Battery| do not check this box

Charge Tab| 80% DoD| 90% DoD| 100% DoD
Start V| Use Start % instead of Start V when using
Batt % Charged instead of Batt V Charged (in the Batt tab)
---|---
Start %3| 21%| 11%| 1%
A1,4| 37.5 ADC per PHI 3.8 battery (20 ADC per battery for reduced stress)
Gen Charge / Grid Charge5| Check the Gen Charge box when a generator is connected to the Gen Input breaker.
Check the Grid Charge box when a generator is connected to the Grid Input breaker, or when a grid connection is utilized to charge the batteries.
Float V| 54 V
Absorption V6| 56 V
Equalization V7| 56 V
30 days
1 hour
Discharge Tab| 80% DoD (recommended)| 90% DoD| 100% DoD
Shutdown| 20% (50.2 V)| 10% (49.5 V)| 0% (48 V)
Low Batt| 30% (50.5 V)| 20% (50.2 V)| 10% (49.5 V)
Restart| 97% (52 V)| 97% (52 V)| 97% (52 V)
Batt Resistance| Resistance mOhms = 96 ÷ (4 × PHI 3.8 battery quantity)
Resistance mOhms = 96 ÷ (3 × PHI 2.9 battery quantity)
Batt Charge Efficiency| 99%
Smart Load Tab|
Use Gen input as load output| check this box if the Smart Load feature applies (refer to Section 5 of this Guide)
Smart Load OFF Batt8| 95% (51.7 V)
Smart Load ON Batt9| 100% (52.5 V)
Wattage value is used in grid-connected systems only. This value represents the minimum power

required of the solar array before the Smart Loads are powered.

For Micro inverter input| check this box for AC coupled systems
Smart Load OFF Batt10| 100% (52.5 V)
Smart Load ON Batt11| 30 – 95%

Notes:

1. These settings are calculated by multiplying the per-battery value by the number of batteries in the connected battery bank.
2. Max A Charge refers to the maximum charge rate from the solar PV array. Programming this value to the maximum value versus the reduced-stress value does not impact the PHI Battery Warranty.
3. If the Auto Generator Start is utilized, the AGS is triggered when the batteries reach this set State of Charge (SoC) percentage. Once triggered, the generator charges the batteries until they reach approximately 95% SoC, at which point the generator turns off. This 95% SoC parameter is not programmable.
4. A refers to the maximum charge rate from the grid or the generator. If the Sol-Ark is connected to both the grid and a standby generator, the Sol-Ark prioritizes the grid as the batteries’ charging source. Programming the A value to the maximum value versus the reduced-stress value does not impact the PHI Battery Warranty.
5. By default, battery charging from the solar PV array is prioritized over generator or grid charging.
6. When the battery has reached the Absorption voltage setpoint, the Sol Ark utilizes constant-voltage regulation to maintain the battery at the programmed Absorption voltage. The Absorption phase lasts until the batteries charge at 2% of the programmed Ah size. For example, one PHI 3.8-51.2Vnom battery (rated at 75 Ah), will remain in the Absorption charging phase until the number of Amps used to charge the battery decreases to 1.5 Amps DC (2% of 75Ah).
7. While the PHI Battery does not require an Equalization charge, programming Equalization to the voltage, frequency and duration outlined in the table above ensures that the Sol-Ark’s internal SoC meter re-sets to 100% SoC every 30 days.
8. Smart Loads are no longer powered via solar and/or batteries when the batteries’ SoC level drops below this programmed Smart Load OFF Batt value.
9. Smart Loads are powered via solar and/or batteries when the batteries’ SoC level exceeds this programmed Smart Load ON Batt value.
10. The Sol-Ark stops charging the batteries and powering the loads from the AC Coupled solar PV array once the batteries’ SoC level reaches the Smart Load OFF Batt value.
11. The Sol-Ark triggers the AC Coupled solar PV array to produce power (powering the loads and charging the batteries) when the batteries’ SoC level exceeds this programmed Smart Load ON Batt value.

CAUTION: When PHI battery quantities change, the capacity & charge/discharge current settings must be reassessed. Failure to do so will void the Warranty.

Grid Setup
The Sol-Ark’s Grid Setup menu includes many advanced features (refer to Section 5 of this Guide). Regardless of the features used, the PHI battery bank should never discharge more than its maximum continuous discharge rate. Furthermore, to maintain the PHI batteries’ Warranty at a 10,000-cycle level, also do not discharge the battery bank to a State of Charge (SoC) level less than 20%. These details are controlled in the Grid Setup menu’s Limiter tab.

Figure 4 – Limiter Tab in Grid Setup menu

The power (W) column in Figure 4 above dictates the maximum amount of power pulled from the batteries and should be set to the PHI battery bank’s maximum discharge rate in AC Watts. To calculate the connected PHI battery bank’s maximum discharge Watts (AC):

1. Multiply the number of batteries in the bank by the maximum discharge rate (ADC) per battery
   • PHI 3.8-51.2Vnom battery max. discharge rate = 37.5 ADC per battery
   • PHI 2.9-51.2Vnom battery max. discharge rate = 28.5 ADC per battery
2. Convert the battery bank’s DC discharge current to DC discharge watts.
3. Apply the discharge efficiency.

The following Tables 2 and 3 describe the continuous power output limitations of the PHI 51.2Vnom-model batteries. Populate the power (W) column according to these tables.

Populate the Batt column to the right of the power (W) column according to the degree to which you wish to discharge the battery bank. Again, to maintain the PHI batteries at the 10,000-cycle Warranty level, do not populate the Batt column with any value less than 20%.

Table 2 – Conversion from DC to AC Discharge Limit for 1 to 6 PHI 3.8 kWh-51.2Vnom Batteries

*Limited by the Sol-Ark to 8,000 WAC in Off-Grid mode and 9,000 WAC in Grid-Tie mode.

Note: Sol-Ark’s Manual shows these power (W) parameters programmed to 1,000 Watts × PHI Battery Quantity. While there is no harm in using this approximation, the greater values outlined in the tables above may be used.

USE CASES & APPLICATION NOTES

Sol-Ark equipment includes many advanced programming features and a variety of modes (more than one mode can be used simultaneously). This section of the Guide will outline the system programming and setup basics for common use cases. However, refer also to the Sol-Ark Manual for all installation requirements relevant to the application at hand.

Table 3  – Sol-Ark Grid Settings

System Setup > Grid Setup| 80% DoD
(10k cycle warranty)| 90% DoD
(5k cycle warranty)| 100% DoD
(3.5k cycle warranty)
---|---|---|---

Limiter Tab|
Grid Sell| check this box when exporting solar PV power to the grid
(Net Energy Metering agreement required)
set the numerical value to the maximum number of exporting Watts
Limited Power to Home| check this box when powering both the critical loads sub-panel and the main house breaker panel using solar and/or battery, without exporting energy to the grid (limiter sensors required)
Limited power to load| check this box when powering the critical loads sub- panel using solar and/or battery
Time of Use Selling| check this box when discharging the batteries during set times (either the Grid Sell or Limited Power to Home box must also be checked)
Time| sets the time at which the batteries discharge to power both the critical loads sub-panel and the main house breaker panel (limiter sensors required)
---|---
power (W)| sets the maximum amount of power discharged from the batteries during the set time
do not exceed the Wattage values listed in Tables 2 or 3 above
Batt| the percentage SoC to which the batteries discharge during the set time
20%| 10%| 0%
Grid Charge| check this box to allow for grid-to-battery charging during the set time
GEN| check this box to allow for gen-to-battery charging during the set time
Sell Control Tab| 80% DoD| 90% DoD| 100% DoD
General Standard| check this box when a generator is wired to the Grid Input

or to use the Protect Param settings listed in the Grid Input tab

UL 1741 & IEEE 1547| check this box for grid sell compliant functionality (default)
CA Rule 21| check this box for compliance with CA Rule 21
UL 1741SA| check this box for compliance with HECO Rule 14H and/or PREPA
GEN connect to Grid input| check this box when a generator is wired to the Grid Input

Grid Input Tab|
Grid Frequency| select 50 Hz or 60 Hz
Grid Type| select 120/240V split phase (North America), or contact SimpliPhi to special-order 220V single phase or 120/208V 3 phase
Protect Param| leave as default values when UL 1741 & IEEE 1547 are enabled
frequency values may change when a generator is wired to the Grid Input
FreqVolt tab| refer to the Sol-Ark Manual for Puerto Rico or Kauai-specific settings

AC Coupled
In an AC Coupled system setup, the grid-tie inverter(s) output – string or micro-inverters – is wired to the SolArk’s Generator Input (40A double-pole breaker) and the For Micro inverter input box in the Smart Load tab of the Battery Setup menu must be checked:

Figure 5 – Smart Load Tab in Batt Setup menu

The Sol-Ark-8K is limited to a maximum of 7 kW of AC Coupled solar PV, and the Sol-Ark-12K is limited to 7.6 kW of AC Coupled solar.
AC Coupled systems can operate in Grid Sell / Grid-Tied with Battery Backup, Limited to Home, Limited to Load, or Time of Use Selling modes.

Grid Sell / Grid-Tied with Battery Backup
A net energy metering agreement with the utility company is required in order to sell energy from the solar PV array to the grid. In this mode, the Sol-Ark prioritizes powering all loads (on both the critical loads sub-panel and the main house breaker panel) from solar PV first (if available), then (2) grid, (3) generator, and (4) batteries. In the event of a grid failure, the batteries will power the critical loads sub-panel only. Take care to size the battery bank accordingly; in a grid failure scenario, the Sol-Ark does not limit the batteries’ maximum current output. The maximum power draw (kW) on the critical loads sub-panel should not exceed the maximum continuous discharge rate of the PHI battery bank. Refer to the Discharge Calculation in Section 3 of this Guide:

B#Inv≥  Inv kw÷ Inv eff/ Bat kw

Discharge Example:

• Circuits on the critical loads sub-panel amount to a maximum potential power draw of 30 Amps at 240 VAC, or 7.2 KwAC
• Sol-Ark-8K inverter DC-to-AC efficiency is 95.5%
• PHI 3.8 kWh-51.2Vnom battery has a maximum continuous discharge rate of 1.92 kWDC
  B#Inv≥  7.2 kw÷ 0.955 eff/ 1.95 kw=3.9

A properly sized PHI battery bank based on the maximum draw of the critical loads sub-panel has a minimum of 4 batteries, even in this Grid-Tied with Battery Backup application. Note also that during a grid failure, the critical loads’ maximum energy draw (kWh) is also limited by the battery bank’s capacity.

Limited to Home
Checking the Limited power to Home box in the Limiter tab of the Sol-Ark’s Grid Setup / Grid Param menu allows for all loads* (on both the critical loads sub-panel and the main house breaker panel) to be powered using the connected solar PV and/or batteries. The Sol-Ark prioritizes powering these loads from solar PV first (if available), then (2) grid, (3) generator, and (4) batteries. To prioritize the batteries’ use over the grid or generator during specific set times, also use the Time of Use Selling mode.

While the Limited to Home mode allows for all loads to be powered using  solar PV and/or batteries, the SolArk prioritizes powering loads on the critical loads sub-panel first, and loads on the main house breaker panel are offset by solar (and/or batteries, during Time of Use Selling mode times) as much as possible. If the loads’ draw exceeds the available power from the solar PV array and (with Time of Use Selling mode also in play) the batteries have also discharged to their minimum programmed SoC percentage level, the Sol-Ark will then resort to powering loads using grid power.

CAUTION: In Limited to Home mode, limiter sensors are required to ensure that the home’s main breaker panel circuits are powered without exporting energy to the grid.

Limited to Load
Checking the Limited power to load box in the Limiter tab of the Sol-Ark’s Grid Setup / Grid Param menu discharges the battery to power the critical loads sub-panel’s loads. The Limited to Load mode does not allow for any solar or battery energy to power the main house breaker panel and it does not allow for any solar or battery energy to be exported to the grid.

Figure 6 – Limiter Tab in Grid Setup menu

Time of Use Selling / Energy Arbitrage
Discharge batteries to power circuits during specific set times. Program these times to coincide with the utility company’s peak pricing times to avoid high energy charges from the utility.

Homeowners who have a net energy metering agreement with the utility company can use both Grid Sell and Time of Use Selling modes to sell solar PV and battery energy (until the minimum programmed SoC percentage level) back to the grid during peak sun-hour times and then discharge the batteries during programmed times, usually in the afternoon and evening. Depending on whether Limited power to load or Limited Power to Home is enabled, the batteries will power either the critical loads sub-panel only (Limited to Load) or the critical loads sub-panel and the main house breaker panel (Limited to Home) during the Time of Use Selling time period. Make sure to size the battery accordingly. (Refer to the Discharge Example in the Grid Sell / Grid-Tied with Battery Backup section of this Guide for battery bank sizing when batteries power the critical loads sub-panelonly. Refer to the Discharge Example in Section 3 of this Guide for battery bank sizing when the batteries power both the critical loads sub-panel and the main house breaker panel.)

Homeowners who do not have a net energy metering agreement use both Limited Power to Home and Time of Use Selling modes to prioritize powering all loads (circuits both on the critical loads sub-panel and the main
house breaker panel) from the solar and/or batteries during programmed times. Refer to the Discharge Example in Section 3 of this Guide for battery bank sizing when the batteries power both the critical loads subpanel and the main house breaker panel.

NOTE: Either the Grid Sell or the Limited Power to Home mode (check the appropriate box in the Grid Setup / Grid Param menu) must be used in conjunction with Time of Use Selling.

During Time of Use Selling times, loads are powered from solar first (if available), batteries second, and the grid third (if batteries have discharged to their programmed minimum SoC percentage level).

Make sure the GridCharge box is unchecked during peak pricing times so that the batteries do not charge when energy from the utility company is most expensive ( see Figure 7 ).

Figure 7 – Limiter Tab in Grid Setup menu

Off-Grid
The Sol-Ark automatically operates in Off-Grid mode when it does not detect a grid connection. In an Off-Grid system setup, all the home’s loads are connected to the Sol-Ark’s Load Output (50A double-pole breaker).
Do not use the Sol-Ark’s Grid Sell and Limited to Home modes in an off-grid system setup. Check the Limited power to load box in the Limiter tab of the Sol-Ark’s Grid Setup / Grid Param menu to allow for the batteries’ power to discharge to the connected loads.

Generators
The Sol-Ark’s built-in Auto Generator Start functions as a 2-wire automatic switch.

The Sol-Ark’s Grid Input breaker can be used as the generator’s input breaker. In this scenario, check the General Standard box and the GEN connect to Grid input box in the Grid Param menu’s Sell Control tab:
Figure 8 – Sell Control Tab in Grid Setup menu

Due to the fact that many generators’ output frequency is usually less precise than the grid’s, the frequency parameters in the Grid Param menu’s Grid Input tab may also need adjustment to accommodate a wider frequency range:
Figure 9 – Grid Input Tab in Grid Setup menu

Homeowners who wish to include a grid connection, generator, and Smart Load functionality can install a transfer switch allowing for either grid or generator to connect to the Sol-Ark’s Grid Input. This frees up the Sol-Ark’s Generator Input to be used as an output for Smart Loads (see the following Smart Loads section for more details).

In an AC Coupled system setup that includes a generator, using a transfer switch for a grid-or-generator connection to the Sol-Ark’s Grid Input also frees up the Sol-Ark Generator Input for connection to the AC Coupled solar PV array.

If the system includes both a generator and a grid connection, limiter sensors are required. While smaller generators (less than 10 kW) can be wired to the Sol-Ark’s Generator Input, Sol-Ark recommends wiring larger generators to a whole home transfer switch instead of using the inverter’s Generator Input.

Smart Load
The Smart Load feature allows the homeowner to run higher power non-essential appliances (hot water, dehumidifier, heat pump, irrigation pump, etc.) on solar when excess solar power is available. This setup involves connecting these higher power non-essential loads to the Sol-Ark’s Generator Input. To partially protect the batteries against over-discharge, set the Smart Load Off Batt and Smart Load ON Batt parameters to the batteries’ acceptable SoC percentage range while in this mode. However, note that no programmable
parameter exists to regulate the batteries’ over-discharge from a current perspective.

For example, an off-grid system with home loads totaling a maximum instantaneous power draw of 8 kW might include 5 PHI 3.8 batteries, with a maximum combined continuous power output of 9.6 kWDC / 9.168 kWAC.
With both the Smart Load and Limited to Load modes enabled and the Smart Load ON Batt parameter set to 100% SoC, the Sol-Ark will begin powering the Smart Loads (in addition to all the home loads) when the batteries are at 100% SoC. If the Smart Load power draw exceeds 9.168 kWAC, (38.2 Amps at 240VAC), the batteries will then be operating beyond their maximum continuous power output capabilities. While the batteries have a maximum surge discharge capability of 60 Amps DC per battery (15.36 kWDC / 14.669 kWAC for the 5-battery bank), the batteries cannot surge at this power level for more than 10 minutes. A Smart Load drawing more than 9.168 kWAC for more than 10 minutes will very likely result in the batteries’ SoC level reaching the Smart Load OFF Batt parameter, if it is set to 95%. However, feel free to reach out SimpliPhi Power Technical Support (TechSupport@SimpliPhiPower.com) if the Smart Load feature will be used and battery bank sizing clarification according to Smart Load-specific loads needs to be clarified.

Note that in a grid-connected system that utilizes the Smart Load feature, the Wattage value to the right of the Smart Load ON Batt parameterin the Smart Load menu tab (see Figure 5) represents the minimum power required of the solar PV array before the Smart Loads are powered. Therefore, that Solar PV Wattage value can be added to the battery bank’s maximum output power rating when comparing maximum available solar and battery power available, against the Smart Load power draw: Smart load Draw (KW) ≤ Solar PV + Battery Bank MAX Output Power (KW).

CAUTION: Smart Loads’ maximum power draw cannot exceed the Generator Input breaker’s 40 Amp / 240VAC rating.

SPECIFICATIONS & WARRANTY

For your reference:

• See PHI 3.8 kWh Specifications Sheet.
• See PHI 2.9 kWh Specifications Sheet.
• See PHI Battery 10 Year Limited Warranty.
  Failure to adhere to installation protocol will void the Warranty.

SIMPLIPHI TECHNICAL SUPPORT

For technical support related to your PHI Battery (or other SimpliPhi Power products), please contact us directly at:
805.640.6700
techsupport@simpliphipower.com

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