Using Power Take Off driven generators for backup battery charging in Solar Systems. Is this an option?
Hi
I just purchased a 24kVA system which is made up o 2 12KvA Sunsync inverters, which will be getting Solar power from 44 550kW Canadian made solar panels. We have 2 (I think 30kW/Hr lithium batteries which will be charged by the system and provide energy for output). I have been told this should deliver 125kW of electricity per day. I hope this will be sufficient for my needs on my farm but we wish to be completely off grid - so we need to think about a backup generation feature.
On the farm we have a good new tractor available - my question is if I could make use of a 20kVa or a 30 kVa PTO driven generator to charge the batteries in times of prolonged rain or other emergency? (Obviously having the tractor as power source, this will provide a big saving on the cost of the generator - which I estimate could be needed only maybe for 5 - 10 days a year)
I have been told (by mechanics who work on backup generators for South African banks) a tractor driven PTO generator will not give a smooth enough power output in terms of alternating current frequency and or amperage, and that this variation would/ could damage the Sunsync inverters.
I seem unable to get good clear answers on this from internet searches - it (pto generators) seems to be something used more in Australia, New Zealand, and perhaps India. (I live in South Africa).
Can you please give me some information on the resillience Sunsync Inverters has relating to variations in input current when using backup generators?
Thank you
Jacques Theron
Yes, My system is 3 phase so I was thinking of getting a 3 phase PTO generator. It would be nice to hear about other peoples experience on this - surely I am not the first person ever to consider this as an option?