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One of the most critical settings on your new RedEarth BushChook, BlackMax, Gecko, DeyeBear or Dingo is the system work mode.
While RedEarth will always setup, pre-configure and test your inverter for you, we understand that situations change, and you might need to adjust these settings.
The System work mode controls the order in which your inverter generates and distributes power to your loads, battery and ac source (grid / generator). To access to “System Work Mode” Menu:
The system work mode menu is made up of a few key sections. The top section (three radio buttons) are the core options, these have the most significant impact on your inverter’s performance.
Selling First:
This mode allows the hybrid inverter to sell any excess power produced by the solar panels and back to the grid. If time-of-use is active (see Time of use tech bulletin for more information), your battery energy will also be sold to the grid.
Priority of power source usage for the load:
Solar Panel energy
Grid Power
Batteries (until a programmable discharge percentage is reached, via the time of use settings).
In summary, if you have “selling first enabled” PV energy is used to power the load and charge the battery first, and any excess energy is sent to the grid. This setting would be used to maximise export, be careful however, as you will not store any excess energy in your batteries, instead they will likely be depleted via the grid.
You will notice, this setting is not focused on reducing your reliance on the grid, instead it is designed to maximise export earnings, it is not recommended to leave your inverter in this mode for prolonged periods if your intention is to reduce grid usage costs, as you will not have any battery energy remaining in the evening.
Zero Export to Load:
In this mode, the hybrid inverter supplies power only to the backup load connected, without providing power to any grid side loads or selling power to the grid.
A built-in CT (current transformer) detects power flowing back to the grid and adjusts the inverter's output to supply only the local load and charge the battery.
When connected in an off-grid configuration this is the correct setup, as all loads are connected via the inverters load output. This setting is also correct for grid tied systems that do not have any “non essential” loads. In other words, if all loads are passing through the inverter via either the load, or smart port, you will select this setting.
Please note, while by default this mode will disable solar export, it can be re-enabled by adjusting the solar sell settings (see Solar Sell).
Zero Export to CT:
In this mode the hybrid inverter supplies power to both the backup load and the home load (grid side non-essential loads). If PV and battery power are insufficient, grid energy supplements the power supply.
Like Zero Export to load, in this mode, the inverter does not by default sell power to the grid. This can be enabled by adjusting the solar sell settings (see Solar Sell).
An external CT is required to detect any power flowing back to the grid, this can be directly connected to the inverter or connected via an energy meter. See Tech Bulletin Correct Meter / CT Setup for more information.
Solar Sell:
The solar sell tick boxes are applicable to both Zero Export to Load or Zero Export to CT modes. When activated, surplus energy will be sold back to the grid.
PV power source priority usage: first for load consumption, then for battery charging, and lastly for feeding into the grid.
Max. Sell Power (Export Limit):
This setting adjusts the maximum output power that can flow to the grid, in effect, this is your export limit.
Zero-export Power:
If you require zero-export it is recommended that you enable a small trickle feed from the grid, this ensures that the PID controller response inside the inverter does not unintentionally send any energy back into the grid. This setting specifies the grid input power, or in other words, a small number of watts that your inverter will constantly draw from the grid (when available). It's recommended to set it between 20-100W to ensure the hybrid inverter does not feed power into the grid if you are aiming for zero export.
Energy Pattern:
Battery First: PV power is first used to charge the battery, then to power the load. If PV power is insufficient, the grid supplements both the battery and the load.
Load First: PV power is first used to power the load, then to charge the battery. If PV power is insufficient, and the battery is empty, the grid provides power to the load.
RedEarth strongly recommends the usage of the “Load First” setting, this is your common “self consumption” setting.
Max Solar Power:
This setting sets the maximum allowable DC input power from the solar panels. This is different from your export limit. Adjusting this setting will de-rate the output of your MPPT’s, it is recommended that you set this to the max regardless of your array size unless you have a specific reason to lower it.
Grid Peak-shaving:
When activated, this setting limits grid output power to a set value. If load power exceeds this value, PV energy and battery power will supplement. If the combined PV and battery power still cannot meet the load requirement, grid power will increase to meet the load needs.
If tickbox is disabled, you can use the number value beside it to limit the amount your system will draw from the grid. Please note, If the combined PV and battery power still cannot meet the load requirement, grid power will increase past your set limit to meet the load needs.