Solar Freaks

Hi All,
I had someone say to me the other day that they would be concerned at putting an inverter next to the power box because it would be on a North Wall and would heat up and therefore the components wouldn't last as long.

I get where they're coming from, but I wouldhave thought ALL inverters would be able to handle extremes of temps here in Ozz..

How else could they put 10 yr warranties on them if a couple of hot days would cook them?

Would appreciate comments.

BTW.. just discovered this site.. good job..

What colour is the inverter?
It wont really heat up much above ambient unless is black or some other dark colour.

Then again, inverters have thermal shutdown anyways, and even then, the internal components (caps, FETs ets) are designed to operate up to 105°.

Personally, i think its ok. However, i would be concerned if the LCD screen has long term exposure to the sun.

I know the Fronius units can be easily mounted in the sun as they are light coloured, and have a shutter over the LCD.

If you want it near the meter box, and it is excessively exposed, try putting a small shelter over it.

Thanks Tony. Good idea about the litle shelter over the top. The inverter is a Sunny Boy, and the colours aren't too dark, but I like the addition of the shelter.

Where do you get all this great information? I'd love to be able to rattle something like that off the top of the head like that..

The information comes from experience

I've seen a few Sunnyboys that have faded from a couple of years sitting in the sun (mounted on the western side of the house). They were still working though.

What is NOT acceptable, is installing indoor-rated inverters in sealed enclosures (same as a regular switchboard enclosure) as I've seen some installers do. The inverter's instruction manuals state the clearances required for adequate cooling, and putting them in a sealed box in full sun probably would void the warranty.

thanks for that. I was more thinking about putting like a mini awning type secured flap with full air exposure, but with the quality of shading the unit during the hottest time of day.. would that be exessive if the units are rated to 104c?

My son is interested in investigating solar, but he is in Alberta Canada.. I've direected him to the NASA site for the figures on sunlight for his region. Is there a better site than the NASA one for that area?

Thanks again for sharing your experience.

The components are rated for 105°, but running at them at that temperature will derate them very quickly. The inverter would probably shut down at 80° anyways.

The unit will never run at 105° under the sun, but, it is going to run warmer, so its life will decrease slightly. The first thing to go will be the LCD, if its exposed.

If the LCD is exposed, and its a red Sunnyboy, i would probably build a little awning just for shade.

Cheers.. Thanks again.