Are there heat related generation limits in inverters or other components?

[jboy210]

It is very hot for us (104F) today. I noticed that generation curve peaked at 1030-1100 at 7.9 kW and has stayed flat since then. As of now, 1350, it still at 7.9 kW. Are there components in the system that limit production when it is hot outside as a safety margin?

I thought that panels and tiles were less efficient when it got hot. But if that were purely the case, I would have expected a lower, but still roundish (monotonic increasing and then monotonic decreasing) peak.

FWIW, on previous cooler days we got a roundish peak at up to 9 kW.

 

[power.saver]

It is very hot for us (104F) today. I noticed that generation curve peaked at 1030-1100 at 7.9 kW and has stayed flat since then. As of now, 1350, it still at 7.9 kW. Are there components in the system that limit production when it is hot outside as a safety margin?

I thought that panels and tiles were less efficient when it got hot. But if that were purely the case, I would have expected a lower, but still roundish (monotonic increasing and then monotonic decreasing) peak.

FWIW, on previous cooler days we got a roundish peak at up to 9 kW.

My SMA inverters all have derating that reduces output at high temperatures.

 

[jboy210]

My SMA inverters all have derating that reduces output at high temperatures.

Ok. I bet that is what is occurring. Thanks.

Update:

I just checked the Delta inverters and on the rating tag it said the derate at greater than 45C. I went inside and grabbed my laser thermometer gun. One inverter was a 49C the other, which was more in sunlight was 53C. I am going to check this on a cooler and sunny day and see if I should invest in an awning. Maybe one of those canvas types that can shade the side of the garage. That might also fix the summer heating in my office which sits right on top of the garage and is 10F warmer than the rest of house.

 

[Edev0]

Added fan that turns on at sunrise and off at sunset for the 3.8 KW Delta inverter with convection cooling.

 

[jboy210]

Added fan that turns on at sunrise and off at sunset for the 3.8 KW Delta inverter with convection cooling.

Nice. Unfortunately, my inverters are on the outside of the garage wall.

 

[scotsmanswan]

Nice. Unfortunately, my inverters are on the outside of the garage wall.

My SMA inverter is outside also and was temperature de-rating last year post adding additional solar. A shade screen and some USB fans have done the trick so far this year (been well over 100 most of June and had a few days north of 110). See related thread

anyone shade their south-facing inverters from the sun?

I have my 2 delta inverters (M8 and M4) mounted on a south facing wall of our house (where the main panel is) and have been thinking about trying to reduce the amount of sun that beats down on them especially during the summer months. I searched but didn't find any discussions about makeshift...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[holeydonut]

oooooo solar power to get more solar power = perpetual motion machine. Yes, I know this perpetual motion machine wouldn't work without the sun. But that's why me = zero brain.

Solar Thermostatic Fan: Climapod Greenhouse Accessories

Solar thermostatic fan is a Climapod’s advantage that provides ventilation and controls the temperature inside the greenhouse

climapod.com

 

[jboy210]

My SMA inverter is outside also and was temperature de-rating last year post adding additional solar. A shade screen and some USB fans have done the trick so far this year (been well over 100 most of June and had a few days north of 110). See related thread

anyone shade their south-facing inverters from the sun?

I have my 2 delta inverters (M8 and M4) mounted on a south facing wall of our house (where the main panel is) and have been thinking about trying to reduce the amount of sun that beats down on them especially during the summer months. I searched but didn't find any discussions about makeshift...

teslamotorsclub.com

Thanks! A shade sail looks like it might do the trick, and they come in a lot of colors.