Backup generator with solar PV setup

[scanchain]

Hello, I am thinking of adding a backup generator.

I currently have solar PV panels in my house. In the event of a power outage, the inverter shuts down automatically to prevent backfeeding into the grid.

If I were to add a standby generator with a transfer switch, during an outage, would the PV inverter now power up on detecting power from the generator?

This is assuming that the transfer switch is installed directly at the point where grid power enters the house. Power from the PV inverter is fed into a sub-panel further downstream.

Any comment is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mrb]

my answer would be maybe. depends on how sensitive to grid frequency the inverter is, and the quality of the generator. I have a feeling it would work when you first fire it up, but then every time a load is switched on and off the inverter would trip offline.

 

[PrecisionTools]

I'd say you would have to isolate the generator from the inverter. My guess is that the inverter would try and export to the generator thinking it was the grid = bad

Just throw another isolation switch between the inverter and where you connect it to the mains.

There are inverters out there that do all this for you too of course.

 

[gatchel]

I would think, as mentioned above, that there would probably be issues. MPPT inverters use the grid as a battery or capacitor, per say, because the power you are making and not using is being used by another house on the grid / same transformer. Trying to feed excess power into the generator will probably trip out the inverter, if the inverter produces any power at all.

You may be able to do it with a different style of inverter.

 

[mrb]

does the inverter have an islanding mode? maybe add some batteries and omit the generator

 

[scanchain]

Thanks for the responses. The inverter has anti-islanding feature.