Hi
I am installing 6.6 kW solar system
370W Trina Honey panel
Fronious Primo single phase Inverter.
I thinking of putting 3 Phase inverter as I have 3 phase at home but the rep said as I have smart meter and panal gonna face east and west it's not necessary.
So what you guys think the upgrade to 3 phase cost $500.
Thanks
go for the 3 phase inverter if you plan to add more panels in the future
As above, but more simply, the only reason for getting a 3 phase inverter is to be able to load on more than 6.6kw of panels. If you'll never need that much power during the day or there's no room on the roof for extra panels then don't worry about it.
It's not often I agree with 100% of the previous comments made in a thread, but this is the time…
A pro to 3 phase inverter would be if you actually use the 3 phase for something like an aircon, then you would be using more of your generated power, rather than importing for the two "non solar" phases.
Smart meters work on net import export.
Doesn't matter what phase the power goes in or out of, it's the net difference that is the end billing calculation
I think what srsparky meant is the self-consumption aspect of solar, assuming the aircon draws current equally on all three phases at time of generation.
Potentially a difference in cost compare to importing 10kwh on two non-solar phases and exporting 10kwh on the solar phase.
Nope smart meters operate on net export import.
Makes zero $ difference which phase it goes in or out from
You could export 5kw on one phase and import 4kw on another.
That's 1kw export net, which is what your supplier will bill or credit you for.
Upgrade to 3 phase and install a 19.8kw system instead.
We went with 3 phase.
Ok think I'm missing some stuff here.
If you've got 3 phase then your circuits (light, power, AC, etc) at your switchboard should be evenly distributed across the 3 phases (it's a wiring reg).
You'll benefit from a 3 phase inverter not only you can upgrade with more panels or if you have 3 phase appliances but the power generated would be evenly distributed across the 3 phases to the evenly distributed circuits.
So more chance you'll use up the power you generate rather then all the power generated going through 1 phase.
As that phase only has a 1/3 of your circuits, you'll be exporting what that phase doesn't use at approx 8c and while other phases (2/3 of the house) is buying electricity at approx 23c……
That's not how export/import calcs are done for electrity
Smart meters calculate the net import export over all phases, and you aren't charged per phases unique export or import.
So even if you were generating 5kw export on phase 1 and importing 2kw on phase 2, the smart meter reports this as a net 3kw export (of which you'll be paid based on whatever fit your elec plan pays)
The benefits of a 3phase are ability to export more when per phase limits are often 5 or 10kw, as well as slightly lower chance of high line voltage causing your inverter to ramp down.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it would calculate it as 5kw export and 2kw import.
Nope. 3kw net export.
Modern 3ph smart meters it doesn't matter which phase the in or out is.
You aren't paid fit on export on one tariff while consuming on another.
The elec providers would probably prefer you were but it's a net calculation to work out the current usage and associated costs.
Got cha SBOB, a 3 phase meter works collectively as explained by you and this link https://support.energyoptions.net.au/portal/en/kb/articles/t…
So it doesn't matter how many phase inverter is installed, the meter takes care of the netting itself.
The exception is what Finn Peacock wrote back in 2015, where the export is calculated only on a single phase if the meter is configured that way
https://reneweconomy.com.au/3-phase-trickery-utilities-rippi…
A 3 phase inverters starts at about 5kW so if you want an inverter smaller than 5kW you are looking at single-phase.
I’d actually agree with your installer. Assuming single phase has a 5kwh export limit where you live, having only 6.6kw of panels won’t generate significantly more (for export to the grid) than a single phase inverter limited to 5kwh. Paying an extra $500 for a three phase inverter is just going to increase your payback period with a very minimal financial gain. If you want a three phase inverter, throw on a total of ~9-10kw of panels so you can see a more significant reduction in your payback period.