Since this just appeared on the Xantrex home page is there any chance of a performance review?

Sean

I've been working with Xantrex since May on this project.

This is easy , there is no other better performing inverter on the market , period. I did extensive testing with Sunnyboy , Fronius , PVPowered , the GT beats them all at daily harvest

I have three of them running right now , check-out my realtime status (from the main solar-guppy.com page)

It's a string inverter , 190-600 VDC input , passive cooling , disconnect box that allows the inverter section to be removed if need be , rs-232 data logging with GT-View and very accurate data reporting (accuracy) better than any other tested inverter and a cool feature that allows you to have two custom message displays (seen on the units LCD and or GT-View) ,you use GT-view to enter the text ... if you look at my realtime displays , the text is the bottom of each window

I was perusing the user guide on this inverter and had a couple of questions (also, I'm a bit of a newbie as well):

1) Is an external DC disconnect not required (it would appear that this inverter has one already)?

2) Based upon my limited knowledge in this area, it would appear that this inverter is all that would be required (aside from the panels). Am I missing something here or is this inverter an "all-in-one" package?

Thanks in advance...

P.S. Thanks for the input on the solar pool heating. I went ahead and sprung for the $3400 system on the grounds that it's supposed to be one of the best pool panels available (Heliocool/Sunstar) and my lack of knowledge in the roof-mounting arena would make installation dicey at best . I figure that I'd probably recoup the cost of the system over about 5 or 6 years, plus it would probably increase the value of my home should I ever sell it.

yup



yup yup .


I beleive you will see street prices in the 1700 dollar range for the GT 3.0. No external disconnects , no added costs for communications ... this is about 600 bucks cheaper than a sunnyboy and you get another 600 watts of output power and better daily harvest.

It also out performs the PV Powerd 2800 , by 2.5% in daily harvest , and before anyone asks , no the GT 3.0 isn't rated at 100% peak efficiency (PVP claims 97.6 cough bullsh*t cough )

Your price is within the norm for solar installers (pool solar) ... and I appreciate not every one has the skills to start screwing things into the roof without causing problems

Any suggestions on where to buy this inverter? I saw it was advertised on www.partsonsale.com (thought the price was not listed).

All of 2004 production has already been sold to the big distribrautors and half of this has been deleivered

If you read the Xantrex press release , it tells you who has units shipped to them , so I'd start there and make a few phone calls

Two questions:

1. Do you know if/when it will be CA certified?

2. The manual shows support for two strings. Would one string facing east and the other west be a recommended design?

Sean

I Just ask Xantrex , they replied by the end of this week , the GT3.0 will be CEC cerified (I assumed that's what you were asking



While it would be best to use seperate inverters , you could put a east and west array into a single inverter , as long as the strings were similar in amps/volts. The input just combines the inputs , its not isolated tracking for each input as the Sharp unit claims to do

I am curious why it is a string inverter rather than a "48 Volt" inverter like the SunTie.

My speculation is:

- HV string inverters are more efficient than 48V inverters
- SMA, Fronius and PV Powered all offer a string inverter
- wiring losses are lower
- wiring is simpler, more installers familiar with string design
- drop in replacement for competition

Sean