Any-

Inverter Charger with MPPT

2019-08-08
Alessio Alario
Product Manager - Global
Contents

• Introduction
• 5 Use-Case Ideas
• Special Features
• Benefits
• Extensibility
• System Sizing
• Grounding & Surge Protection
Introduction
Introduction: What is Any-Grid™?

• Currently On- and Off-Grid are defined

• Any- -Grid, Off-Grid and in between such as:
• Unreliable grids (load shedding)
• Regular or sporadic grid black-outs
• Large swings in grid frequency or voltage that could damage loads
• Voluntary disconnection from grid to prioritise PV for cost savings
• AC generators as backup AC energy sources, too expensive to run all the
time
• Taking advantage of changing grid power tariffs throughout the day
• Grid feed-in where permitted to sell excess energy to the grid
Introduction: The Any-Grid PSW-H-5KW-230/48V Specs

• 5 kW nominal, surge 10 kW up to 5 seconds

• 220 ~ 240 Vac, 50 ~ 60 Hz output (programmable)
• Usable with all 48 Vdc lead-based batteries and LiFePO4
• 80 Adc MPPT with PV voltages up to 450 Voc
• 80 Adc AC charger
• Cable-bound, detachable display unit with BLE, USB-OTG (on-the-go),
RS-485, CAN Bus, RS-232 communication and relay for generator start
• Datalogger for up to 60 days of data
• 10 ms switchover time between grid and off-grid modes (UPS-standard)
• IP 21 with washable dust filter and conformal coating
• Galvanic isolation of battery from PV & AC means negative or positive
grounding of battery possible
• Grid feed-in and battery-free modes available
Introduction: The Any-Grid PSW-H-3KW-230/24V Specs

Same as PSW-H-5KW-230/48V except:

• 3 kW nominal, surge 6 kW up to 5 seconds
• Usable with all 24 Vdc lead-based batteries and LiFePO4
Introduction: Terminals

Lithium Battery
Remote Display Connector Relay Contact USB-OTG Serial RS-232
RS-485/RS-232/CAN

AC Input PV Input

40 Aac Resettable AC Output Parallel Analog Parallel & 3-Phase Battery

AC Input Breaker Communication Digital Communication

For systems with multiple Any-Grid units

Introduction: Terminals

AC Input PV Input

Battery + Battery -
AC Output
Introduction: Display Unit

Inverter mode, charging & AC output source

fault indicators indicators & timer selector

Battery charging
AC output ON/OFF
source timer selector
switch

Display unit can slide down and be connected to Any-Grid with a standard Ethernet Patch cable up to 20 m.
Introduction: Dust Filters

• Two dust filters

• Removable with one screw each,
easily accessible when installed

1. Rinse with tap water

2. Dry with (paper) towel
3. Re-install
Introduction: The Any-Grid Inverter Charger

The Any-Grid hybrid inverters serve as

a power hub to manage the various
energy sources

*Any-Grid accepts one AC input

Introduction: The Any-Grid Inverter Charger

Possible energy sources (at least one required):

• Solar / PV
• Public Grid
• AC generator
• If more than one AC source are used, an external source
selector must be installed
Battery is optional:
• With battery:
• Energy is stored
• Unit acts as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
• Unit can function Off-Grid
→ hard switch-over between Grid and Off-Grid modes
• Grid feed-in possible
• Without battery: *Any-Grid accepts one AC input
• Grid required (Off-Grid operation not possible)
• Majority of system costs removed, as batteries typically
make up >50% of total system costs
• With sun, loads are supplied by PV as first priority and grid as
second priority, no hard switch-over, optional grid injection
5 Use-Case Ideas
 Use-Case 1

Off-Grid
• Battery required
• Either PV or AC generator required, both possible
• Automatic generator start possible via integrated relay on Any-Grid

Benefits
• Simplified system and installation due to
inverter, MPPT and AC generator control /
charging in a single unit
• No requirement to coordinate
communication between multiple devices
 Use-Case 2

On-Grid with battery and PV

• Solar or Grid priority selectable
• Solar priority for electricity cost savings
• Grid priority to keep the batteries as
full as possible in case of grid failure
(solar-enabled UPS)
• Grid feed-in possible if legal (function
locked by PIN code), physically
impossible if function is not activated

Benefits
• Save grid electricity costs while at the same
time providing UPS security to loads
• If legal, sell excess energy to the grid when
battery is full for even faster
return-on-investment
 Use-Case 3

On-Grid with battery, without PV

• Uninterruptible power supply in case of temporary grid failure

Benefits
• High-power fast-switching UPS for an
entire home, not just individual loads
• Loads will keep running without
interruption if the grid fails, PV can be
added later if desired
 Use-Case 4

On-Grid with PV, without battery

• PV power used as first priority for grid
electricity cost savings
• Grid feed-in possible if legal (function locked
by PIN code), impossible if function is not
activated
• Basically equivalent to a grid-tied inverter
without the need for an external energy meter
(current is measured in the Any-Grid and flows
through unit to loads)

Benefits
• No need to invest in batteries, but PV
energy can still be used to reduce grid
energy costs
• Battery can be added later if desired for
UPS / Off-Grid functionality
 Use-Case 5

On-Grid with backup generator,

battery and PV
• External Source Selector required
between grid, generator and Any-Grid
unit
• Priority: PV or Grid, via relay: generator
auto-start when necessary

Benefits
• Save grid electricity costs while at the same
time providing UPS security to loads and
automatic backup generator use for
prolonged grid failures

*Any-Grid accepts one AC input

Special Features
Special Features: AC output source priority

How it works:
Any-Grid Screens
• This setting defines what the order of power source priorities is to feed power to
connected AC loads (mostly independent of battery charging).
• The available options in settings menu 01 are:
• → Solar → Battery
• → Utility → Battery
• → Battery → Utility
•
grid. Ensures the battery is always full and only uses PV energy when the AC source fails.
• -Grid mode as long as possible). Only once the
battery has reached a programmable discharge voltage, will the unit switch to powering
AC loads directly from AC input (Grid Mode). Useful for saving as much utility energy costs
as possible by using PV and cycling the battery.
•
beyond PV will be sourced from the AC input. Useful for saving as much utility energy costs
as possible by using PV, but without cycling the battery.
Special Features: Battery charger source priority

How it works:
Any-Grid Screens
• This setting defines what the order of power source priorities is to charge battery (mostly
independent of supplying power to the AC output / loads).
• Available options in settings menu 16 are:
•
•
•
• PV power is used to charge the battery. Only if zero PV power is available (night),
the AC input will be used to charge the battery (the unit must be in Grid mode).
•
mode, AC input charges battery at same time.
• because the
self-consumption of the Any-Grid unit is supplied from battery (if connected). If there are
long periods without sunshine (ex. snow), unit may shut down due to low battery voltage.
Adc settings menu 11 to compensate for self-
consumption with some safety margin.
Special Features: Overload by-pass

How it works:
Any-Grid Screens
• In Off-Grid scenario with no AC source, if AC load power exceeds nominal power of the
Any-Grid for longer than a few seconds, inverter must protect itself by turning off AC
output.
• - settings menu 23, Any-Grid will
temporarily switch to Grid mode to supply AC loads with more than its nominal power
rating directly from the AC input. Once AC load power demand has dropped below
nominal power of inverter, Any-Grid switches back to Off-Grid mode.
• Maximum current that can be sourced from the AC input is 40 Aac, 9.2 kW at 230 Vac, or
almost twice nominal power of the inverter. If even this limit is exceeded, a resettable fuse
will pop out on Any-Grid, protecting it from damage.
Special Features: Battery current limitation

How it works:
Any-Grid Screens
• Every battery has a maximum current rating. Typically the smaller the battery capacity, the
lower the maximum current. Different battery chemistries also have different current
capabilities.
The Any-Grid allows limiting both charging and discharging currents separately.
• Charging current: total charging current is current going to the battery from the PV source
plus AC source. This current can be capped in settings menu 02, with values 10 ~ 80 Adc in
10 Adc increments.
• Discharging current: if AC load power is drawing too much current from the battery there
are only two options. Either turn off the load, or, if an AC source is available, transfer loads
-
can also set a discharge current limit to match the battery capabilities in settings menu 41.
Adc in 10 Adc increments.
Special Features: Priority timers

How it works:
Any-Grid Screens
• While AC output source and Battery charging source priorities are defined globally, these
can be over-ridden by using timers. Can be useful for:
• Differing energy tariffs for utility power throughout the day
• Forcing use of certain energy sources only available at certain times of day
• Preparing for scheduled load-shedding
• AC output source and the Battery charger source can be changed temporarily. For each,
Any-Grid has a timer that can activate and deactivate a different priority setting at any full
hour of the day, each day.
•
• Press and hold for 3 seconds to enter timer setting for AC output source priority.
• Press and hold for 3 seconds to enter timer setting for Battery charger source priority.
Special Features: Battery-Free mode

How it works:
Any-Grid Screen
• Simply do not connect a battery to the Any-Grid and connect only AC
source such as public grid and AC loads
• Display will show energy flow from PV and AC source
• Whenever PV power is available, it is fed to AC loads as first priority. If
more power is required it is mixed in from the grid.
• If grid feed-in is deactivated, Any-Grid prevents power flowing back to
the grid by always ensuring at least 80 ~ 100 W of energy is taken from
the AC source at all times, avoiding reverse power flow (PV power is
reduced as needed)
• If grid feed-in is activated, full available PV power can always be used. It
is fed as first priority to the AC load, any remaining power flows back
into grid
Special Features: Grid Feed-In

How it works:
Any-Grid Screen
• Regardless of whether a battery is connected or not, grid feed-in can be
enabled. PV must be connected for feed-in to function.
• Ensure feed-in is legal at area of installation and special injection norms
are not required. Ensure an adequate energy meter is installed to
measure feed-in energy for billing to grid operator.
• Enable grid feed-in on Any-Grid in settings menu 08 by switching from
Grd - GrE -in enabled). Enter PIN
(obtained from Phocos support) and confirm.
• Whenever battery is full or if actual PV charging current exceeds the
programmed maximum limit, excess PV energy is exported to the AC
input / grid
Special Features: PhocosLink, mobile BLE App

How it works:
• PhocosLink

iOS device
• With App, connect to
Any-Grid with password

button required
• See system values in
real-time and even
program most common
settings
Benefits
Benefits: Compared to discrete system components

• A single device acting as inverter, AC charger, MPPT solar charge controller and
UPS means:
• Much lower cost
• Easier installation, lower complexity
• Automatic synchronisation to AC source and extremely fast switching
• No need for inter-unit communication, except for systems with multiple Any-Grids
• Easy definition of energy source priorities for charging and supplying AC loads
• Much fewer cables in system, less points of failure
• All system data on single removable cable-bound display unit
•

Simplicity
Benefits: Ecosystem

• Support for Pylontech batteries out-of-the-box with BMS communication

• Further lithium batteries supported if battery protocol available
• PhocosLink mobile App
• Extensive documentation, training & technical support
• Reliable help from Phocos team for system sizing
• Phocos: expertise in PV systems since the year 2000
 Benefits: High PV voltage

• Any-Grid requires only 1 or 2 strings 5 Strings 2 Strings

•
need 5+ strings for similar-sized PV
arrays

Combiner
Box

Existing
Charge
Controllers Any-Grid™
 Benefits: High PV voltage

Cost savings & easier installation:

• Smaller cable cross-sections usable to save cost and space
(2.5 mm² to 4 mm²)
• No combiner box required, only much cheaper Y-connectors
if two strings are used or no additional equipment if one
string is used
(typically up to 11 pcs. 60-cell PV panels)
• No string fuses or diodes required
• Less cables to route from the PV array into the building
• MPPT can handle up to 450 Voc

Combiner
Box

Existing
Charge
Controllers Any-Grid™
Extensibility
 Extensibility

• Up to 9 synchronised units
• 3-phase or single phase
• Asymmetrical phases possible, for example:
• 7 units on ph. 1, 1 unit on ph. 2, 1 unit on ph. 3
• 3 units on ph. 1, 2 units on ph. 2, 1 unit on ph. 3
• Up to 45 kW of synchronized AC power
and 43.2 kW of usable PV power
• All necessary communication cables
and interface included
• Note: switching time between Grid and Off-Grid
modes can increase up to 50 ms
 Extensibility: relevant communication terminals

• Parallel & 3-Phase Digital Communication cables:

• Always required when using multiple synchronised
Any-Grids, between each unit
• Parallel Analog Communication cables:
• Green colour, only required between multiple Any-
Grids on the same phase, between each unit on the
same phase

Parallel Analog Parallel & 3-Phase

Communication Digital Communication
(green) (black/gray)

For systems with multiple Any-Grid units

 Extensibility: 5 units parallel example

• All units in parallel on a single phase:

5 x 5 kW = 25 kW nominal
• Use analogue current-sharing cables
(green below) and digital parallel
cables (grey below) as shown
• Make sure each Any-Grid has its own
battery circuit breaker and AC input
circuit breaker
• All units will provide the same
amount of power to ensure they are
balanced at all times
 Extensibility: 9 units asymmetric 3-phase example

• 7 units on phase 1, one unit on phase 2 and

one unit on phase 3:
Phase 1: 7 x 5 kW = 35 kW nominal
Phase 2 & 3: 5 kW nominal
• Use analogue current-sharing cables (green
below) and digital parallel cables (grey
below) as shown
• Make sure each Any-Grid has its own battery
circuit breaker and AC input circuit breaker
• All units on phase 1 will provide the same
amount of power to ensure they are
balanced at all times
System Sizing
 System Sizing: Battery

• Lead-acid batteries: min. 48 V / 200 Ah per Any-Grid

• Lithium batteries:
• Compatible with LFP battery models:
• Phantom-S
• US2000
• US3000
• UP2500

For sales channels contact Rita Ping from Pylontech: [email protected]

• Ensure connected lithium battery, regardless of brand, can withstand

maximum continuous and peak currents of Any-Grid

→ Discharge: 140 A continuous, 280 A peak (max. 5 seconds)

→ Charge: 80 A continuous
 System Sizing: PV Panel Array

The PV panel array must meet these requirements:

• Minimum PV voltage: 120 Vmpp for PSW-H-5KW-230/48V
90 Vmpp for PSW-H-3KW-230/24V
• Maximum PV voltage: 430 Vmpp (450 Voc)
• Take into account higher PV voltages at low temperatures!
• Maximum usable PV current: 18 A (up to 22.5 A max.)
• For 60-cell PV panels (typical):

PSW-H-5KW-230/48V PSW-H-3KW-230/24V
Min. no of PV panels 5( kWp) 4( kWp)
Max. no of PV panels 11 ( kWp) 11 ( kWp)
Strings 1 or 2 1 or 2
Max. usable PV power 4800 W 4000 W (2400 W for charging)
Max. connected PV power 6000 Wp 5000 Wp
 System Sizing: AC Generator

An AC generator must meet these requirements:

• Pure sine wave (< 10% THD)
• 180 ~ 270 Vac output voltage
• Crest factor: < 1.6 VPeak / VRMS
• 42 ~ 63 Hz output frequency
• Frequency slew rate: < 0.3 Hz/second
• Recommendation for nominal generator power:
Any-Grid nominal power x 1.5
Source: QuietHut via photopin

→ for a single Any-Grid PSW-H-5KW-230/48V: 5 kW x 1.5 = 7.5 kW

→ for a single Any-Grid PSW-H-3KW-230/24V: 3 kW x 1.5 = 4.5 kW
Why 7.5 kW for a 5 kW Any-Grid?:
• To supply power to all connected loads (up to 5 kW)
• To charge the battery at the same time (AC battery charging only works when
the loads are powered by the AC source at the same time)
• To avoid the generator sine wave deforming too much when starting large AC
loads
Grounding
 Grounding: AC

• Good ground connection is required at installation site:

→ Typically less than 5 ohms resistance to ground, see local regulations

• Protective Earth (PE / Ground terminals) at AC input and AC output must

be grounded for safety
 Grounding: AC

• Assumption: typical earthing scheme: TN-C-S

• Hard-wired bridge between N and PE between AC source
and Any-Grid AC input
• Between loads and Any-Grid AC input install RCD (residual
current device). RCD:
• Offer protection to humans from electric shock
• Interrupt for many load faults
• Are mandatory in many countries (especially wet rooms)
• Very low-cost compared to other protection
• When in Off-Grid mode the Any-Grid automatically bridges
N and PE
 Grounding: DC

• DC grounding is generally not required or recommended,

unless required by law
• Galvanic isolation between battery and inverter / PV means:
• Battery positive or negative can be grounded
• PV positive or negative cannot be grounded
• PV frame can be grounded (this is recommended)
 Surge Protection: AC

• Surges can come from the AC source, particularly a grid

• Use appropriate SPD (surge protective device) between AC
source and AC input of Any-Grid
• Recommended SPD models:
• Citel DS41S-230 → for most public grids or generators, higher

SPD
protection)
• Citel DS41S-320 → for public grids with large voltage swings,
lower protection
• The max. AC operating voltage of the SPD must be between
275 and 300 Vac
• A good connection to ground is critical for the SPD to function
correctly
 Surge Protection: DC

• Surges can come from the PV source due to the exposed PV

panels and wiring
• Use appropriate SPD (surge protective device) between PV
panels and PV input of Any-Grid
• Recommended SPD model:
• Citel DS240-350DC
• The max. DC operating voltage of the SPD must be between
450 and 480 Vdc SPD

• A good connection to ground is critical for the SPD to function

correctly