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Looking for recommendations about grid tie inverter

 
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I am looking for recommendations and general information for a good quality grid tie inverter to start my energy generation build.

My system will ultimately end up being three part. Solar, wind and Hydro.

The complete three part system will be producing 2500+ watts (depending on wind and sun at the time).

My current questions:

What is a good quality, reliable inverter?

Would one inverter for each system be best vs one for all three (do inverters have multiple inputs?)?

What inverters have info output such as power input, output, production over time etc... that can be linked to a computer for tracking?



Thanks
 
master pollinator
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Location: Canadian Prairies - Zone 3b
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Grid tie? Are you just contemplating possibilities or looking to obtain the inverter?

I'm not sure where you are located, I have to caution that a grid tie installation is not a DIY project. The grid operator will want to see permits, installation by a qualified technician, a proper disconnect switch for safety, and so on. This protects both the power company's personnel and the homeowner. The solution is to contact a qualified company in your area and see what they sell that meets the grid operator's requirements.
 
pollinator
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A grid tied system will need to be properly designed using certified equipment with permitting, inspections, disconnects and a meter swap out. Lots of hoops but doable. Many jurisdictions in north america will allow you to self install but it's not an easy install. Many will not as well so you will have to research your local area. Based on your description above if you are mixing different charging types you will need a hybrid inverter with different charge controller for each type of input.  In the size you mentioned the 4000 watt radian inverter from outback with an FM charge controller for solar and a midnite solar classic charge controller for the wind element or the schneider sw connext with their mppt charger for solar and again the midnite solar classic for wind... both of those systems are code approved for grid tie with battery backup... the size you quoted will be expensive for what you get though since net metered systems usually favour larger systems for cost effectiveness. Maybe a stand alone solar system backed up by the grid powering some loads in the house is a better fit... some things to think about.
Cheers,  David
 
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I have a Schneider XW+6848.  It is known as a "hybrid inverter" that can operate either off-grid, or grid-tie, with settings to let you decide when and how much power you want to sell to the grid, and how much you want to go to your batteries.  It offers split-phase 120/240VAC so it is designed to be wired directly into a standard house mail electrical panel.

It's a stout inverter, and I use it to power my 240V well-pump from about 8am till 4pm in the afternoon.

In terms of melding solar, wind, and hydro, what you should be looking at is charge controllers.  The three elements convert the sun, wind, and stream into DC for charging your batteries, and the inverter converts the DC battery power into the AC your wall sockets use.
 
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