Enable Grid Charging for Storm Prep
How To Turn on Grid Charge Using the Sol-Ark Touchscreen
When to Consider Charging Your Batteries from the Grid
If you anticipate a power outage due to an incoming storm or for a planned grid shut-down, you can charge your batteries from the grid in advance. This will ensure they are fully charged and ready to provide backup power to your home when the grid goes down.
In normal operation, your batteries will charge from the solar power generated by your panels, and they typically cycle daily to maximize self-consumption. If a grid outage occurs when your batteries are at a low state of charge (due to the time of day or overcast weather), you may not benefit from the system’s back-up capability. Turning on Grid Charge, allows you to use grid power to keep your batteries fully charged.
Drawbacks of Grid Charge
While charging your batteries from the grid can ensure they are ready for a potential grid outage, charging from the grid will increase your electricity bill for the period.
Recommendation for after a Storm or Planned Outage
After the potential for a grid outage has passed, we recommend turning off the Grid Charge function and reverting to normal operation to maximize your electric bill savings.
⚠️ IMPORTANT WARNING
It’s extremely important to follow the instructions exactly. DO NOT CHANGE ANY OTHER SETTINGS. Changing other settings on Sol-Ark inverters could cause damage to your system, cause it to malfunction, and/or void manufacturer and RES warranties.
RES is not liable for issues resulting from incorrect changes to system settings.
If you are unsure or uncomfortable making these changes on your own, don’t!
Instructions
Identify “Master” Inverter
If you have multiple inverters, you must first identify which inverter is designated as the “Master”. Setpoint changes can only be made on the “Master” inverter.
Skip this section if you only have 1 inverter.
Step 1: Press gear icon in top right corner of inverter screen
Step 2: Press “Basic Setup”
Step 3: Press the “Parallel” tab (DO NOT CHANGE ANY SETTINGS ON THIS SCREEN)
Step 4: Identify whether “Master” is selected. If it is not, go to a different inverter and repeat the steps above. Once you have found the Master, move on to the next steps. Press “CANCEL” on the screen before moving on to return to the main screen.
Enable Grid Charge
Step 1: Press the gear icon in top right corner
Step 2: Press “Battery Setup”
Step 3: Press “Charge” tab
Step 4: Select the “Grid Charge” checkbox (if it’s already checked, leave it checked)
Step 5: Change Start% to 90% (press on the white box with the ##%, then use the up arrow button on the inverter below the screen to increase until it reaches 90%). If it is already at 90%, leave it there.
DO NOT CHANGE OTHER SETTINGS ON THIS SCREEN
Step 6: Press the OK button at the bottom of the screen (if you do not press OK, the settings will not save)
Step 7: Press “Limiter”
Step 8: Uncheck the “Time of Use” checkbox (if it’s already unchecked, leave it that way)
DO NOT CHANGE OTHER SETTINGS ON THIS SCREEN
Step 9: Press “OK” at the bottom of the screen. And you’re done!
Re-Enabling Normal Operation
Once the threat of a grid outage has passed, you should re-enable time of use to maximize your electric bill savings.
Step 1: Identify the Master inverter if you have more than one inverter, using the steps above.
Step 2: Press the Gear Icon in the top right corner of the screen
Step 3: Press “Limiter”
Step 4: Check the “Time of Use” checkbox. (If it’s already checked, leave it alone)
DO NOT CHANGE OTHER SETTINGS ON THIS SCREEN
Step 5: Press “OK” at the bottom of the screen. And you’re done!
Please Note: By making these changes, you accept responsibility for any adjustments made to your system settings. Please change only the settings identified in this guide. RES is not responsible for system performance or operational issues resulting from additional or incorrect setting changes.