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Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 16:03
by darwenn
Hi there. I just bought a network inverter to inject my 800w of solar panels into my EDF network. Until now I had my panels connected to a 60A MPPT regulator connected to a large battery to which I connected a 1000w pure sinus inverter for personal consumption of my lighting, fish pond and fridge. Which works well. But to really save money throughout the day, I opted to inject my production directly into my network. So I bought a 12v network converter of 1000w max.

My problem is that I would like to know how much power in kw/h I injected each day. Because I will have to connect the network inverter directly to the panels without going through my MPPT regulator which tells me the daily power produced. Until now, to know how much I consumed compared to how much I produced I had put a wifi consumer at the output of my pure sinus converter. However, unlike a converter, it is said that nothing should be plugged into the output of a network inverter and that it must be directly connected to the mains. My question is, according to you, could I plug my wifi consumer into it to find out how many kw/h I injected? If not, is there a way?

And last question: is it legal to inject this way into my home network or do I have to make some declaration?

Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 16:17
by phil59
Legal, no.

Illegal, almost.

I now have a small kWp of panels, and over fifteen months, I "graciously" gave around 150 kWh back to the network.

To measure, I have a sonoff box, which is a counter, which I plugged in "upside down", and I program the commissioning at a fixed time, sunrise and sunset, roughly speaking, like that consumption when there is no sun.

I also bought an old "blue meter", which you can find on LBC, 10€, but haven't had time to mount it yet... It will turn upside down.

That's it for the biggest one, but did you take a hybrid inverter, to conserve your battery?

Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 16:28
by darwenn
Thank you for your reply. It is not a hybrid inverter. I intend to keep the old system in parallel, which I will just disconnect in favor of the network inverter.

So, if I understand correctly, if I connect my wifi consumer backwards, should it work? Ie the male side on the EDF socket and the female side at the network inverter output? I have a doubt.

Coming back to the legal/illegal side, what are the risks? Because I imagine that to make a declaration of production in all legality it is necessary that the installation was made by a certified professional, right? It's been 10 years that I consume my panels, I imagine that it was no more legal than injecting.

He sells similar injection kits by companies on the net to produce his own electricity, so I'm guessing they're all illegal?

Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 16:47
by darwenn
Another question. I read that you have to put a circuit breaker between the inverter and the mains socket. A 10A circuit breaker? 16A? The input of the circuit breaker plugs into the output of the inverter, I presume.

The inverter that I took is cut in case of absence of voltage on the EDF network.

Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 17:16
by darwenn
Do I have to legally declare my installation for information to énédis on this site https://connect-racco.enedis.fr/prac-in ... 5E/accueil ? As explained below? Basically, I have to do a CACSI? And what happens next? Anyone come check out the install?

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Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 17:40
by phil59
Source not verified, but if less than 3 kWp, reporting would not be required.

As soon as you declare, you need editing by a pro.

I have micro inverters, and I put a circuit breaker per micro inverter.

In my case, the sonoff counter allows a connection "upside down", like, to see.

Without a hybrid inverter, you will not be able to use your battery, or else in an assembly not connected to the network.

Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 17:47
by sicetaitsimple
darwenn wrote:Another question. I read that you have to put a circuit breaker between the inverter and the mains socket. A 10A circuit breaker? 16A? The input of the circuit breaker plugs into the output of the inverter, I presume.

Beyond the initial question on the measurement, it is a little difficult to understand the current diagram and the future diagram of the installation.
It can be understood that the current diagram supplies part of the home network totally disconnected from the rest (therefore not supplied by Enedis), by reading "I had my panels connected to a 60A MPPT regulator connected to a large battery to which I connected a 1000w pure sine wave inverter for personal consumption of my lighting, fish pond and fridge..
Is this the case? If indeed there is no possible connection with the enedis network, the installation was "legal" (which does not necessarily mean "compliant").
And on the "future" diagram, is it possible to have a diagram? These "EDF socket" stories are really unclear. Is this one of those installations that just plugs into a household outlet?
In all cases, if there is injection into the network, whether in total injection or in injection of surpluses, there is indeed an obligation to declare and an obligation to obtain a certificate of conformity.

Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 18:46
by sicetaitsimple
phil59 wrote:Source not verified, but if less than 3 kWp, reporting would not be required.

I think this is false, to my knowledge there is no threshold below which one would be exempt from making a declaration.
On the other hand, if you don't want to inject, you can sign a CACSI (self-consumption agreement without injection), which (if I understand correctly) is less cumbersome from the certification point of view, which can be replaced by a declaration that the installation uses components that comply with the standards in force, cf. §16 of the agreement:.

Certificate to attach to the Agreement
1) A certificate of conformity stamped by CONSUEL is attached to the Agreement.
Or:
2) The Producer certifies having set up a Production Device:
 manufactured, assembled and tested in the factory and which did not require the creation of fixed circuits on Site (installation of
conductors and/or their protection): in accordance with article D342-19 of the energy code, it does not
does not require a certificate of conformity approved by CONSUEL;
 incorporating a decoupling device in accordance with DIN VDE 0126-1-1 /A1 or 0126-1-1:2013-08
(VFR version 20194
);
 connected to an electrical circuit that complies with the safety requirements of NF C 15-100 in force.

Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 19:00
by phil59
To see, if not above 1.80m.

The pb is the non injection, easier to say than to set up, at little cost!

But, so far, no problem, with many users with a little injection.

Re: Network inverter question

published: 17/10/22, 19:08
by darwenn
It's far from clear all that. By EDF socket I mean domestic socket. Indeed, my battery will also be disconnected because it is unused in this new configuration. There will be injection but for self-consumption of all injected into my home network, so no resale of the surplus since no surplus or professional installation. and since no professional installation there can therefore be no question of a certificate of conformity by CONSUEL if I have read the various information (just as complex) on the net. In any case, there would be no minimum threshold for a declaration, but as long as the installation does not exceed 3kw.

So, even if injection but self-consumption it seems possible to sign a CACSI. This would be a statement from the installation attesting to the use of standard equipment but without control of it by Enedis. Just a declaration what... But to be confirmed.

My installation is on my garage roof, at 2m maximum.

I will call Enedis, but I will come across people unable to find out or I will have contradictions between each interlocutor or bad information...