Energy Matters Forums

[hsvz]

Thanks for all the replies.

It's clearer now on how I should approach this.

At this stage the 3 phase will be staying and looking at re-wiring the board (within limits)

I still find it amazing that the people / salespeople selling the systems dont have much knowledge on this

[Clemo]

I still find it amazing that the people / salespeople selling the systems dont have much knowledge on this

Sales people not knowing what they are talking about!

[Privatteer]

While you can get 3 phase inverters with small size system you are going for it would be pointless.
You would be looking at about another $2500 for a 8kW 3phase compared to a 3kW single phase (just inverter not solar panels). While I have not worked on one I suspect the output would just be balanced across all 3 phases.

I would just be moving all the power circuits to one phase. Power is your biggest load excluding the aircon that will be running during the day when you have solar power being generated.
Lights in most houses is nominal and generally not on during the day so leave those on the other phase to balance out the night time usage a bit better.

Hopefully your mains supply is big enough per phase to handle having all your power moved to one.

[hsvz]

Hopefully your mains supply is big enough per phase to handle having all your power moved to one.

It would be, the only change was the addition of the 3 phase when the AC was installed, looks like the way to go !

[Tracker]

I would just be moving all the power circuits to one phase. .

BTW - Welcome to the delights and disappointments of PV..
Something to consider... You WILL notionally be transferred to TOU (TimeOfUse) tariffs..

As has been discussed many times, you will want to think how you can minimise your daytime power usage. Remember that PEAK power is 2pm to 8pm..
If you are able to do it, connect your essential appliances to the Solar-Phase, and then connect your Washer and Dish-Washer to another phase, and run them from 5AM to 7AM , so that they use OFF-PEAK power and have just stopped when you get up in the AM..

OR - just get rid of two phases (at the risk of repeating one's self..)...
..
.

[Privatteer]

Dishwashers and the like don't need to be on a separate phase to control when they are turned on. So that is not required.

Besides since the OP is only getting 7c export the best time to use them is during the day when the solar is exporting power.