Given the massive grid failure of late, another advantage of the ST inverters over the SunBoy units has occurred to me. Of course, on both units if the power is down we have no power at home -- however, if one decided to change to a battery and inverter system, the nominal 48 volt wiring of the PV array with the ST allows for the use of batteries without re-wirng the PV array. The high voltage PV array wirng for the SB would require re-wiring.

Gordon

I agree. The last part of my backup power project was to tie my array into my battery powered inverter. My array is not large, but in an outage I can run my critical loads (refrigerator and freezer) pretty much indefinitely.

[ 08-18-2003: Message edited by: Mark Lopez ]

I agree too. That was part of my initial design requirements of my system. I have a ST2500GP for the grid tie and a SW2512 for power fail backup. I initially used a home brew MPPT charge controlle but am now trying the Outback MX-60 for the 48>12V conversion.

The only thing that my wife noticed during the "Blackout of 2003" was a hallway light which wasn't on the sub panel went out. She even ran the A/C during the blackout (health reasons). It was a good thing that everything switched automatically since I was out of town at the time.

The real surprising thing was that the cable TV never went out.

Ron