Hi, I have searched through the forums and unable to see a definative answer.
My inverter is a Gen 2 3.6kW, Installed July 2022 (ED serial number) and seemingly capable of 5kW. Is there a process to go through to get it it untrolled so I can get the full 5kW. Would I need to go to my original installer/DNO?
Theoretically it might be possible to set an export limit so that your inverter can output 5kW but only export the DNO approved amount.
If your inverter was a 5kW model but derated to 3.6kW then your installer would probably be a good first port of call.
It would also be worth checking the data sheets for your batteries to see if there is any actual advantage to this - what is their maximum charge/discharge rate?
Rodmac76 Most likely your DNO export limit is your current inverter limit, so you will need to get that increased.
Certainly with my Gen 1 hybrid the 5kW and 3.6kW are the same physical device, just de-rated in software to the lower limit. One of my 5kW inverters failed, GivEnergy engineer replaced it under warranty and I spotted that the new inverter had a 3.6kW sticker on the side. He told me the kit is the same its just configured in software; he peeled the 5kW sticker off my old inverter, put it on the new one, configured it, and job done.
Whether GivEnergy would sanction upgrading a 3.6kW inverter to a 5kW inverter, I don’t know. The 5kW costs more. The fact that they are the same internally is just to ease. manufacturing and stock control.
Discuss with your installer
The joys of modern build practices, basically its all the same just controlled through software / a fuse / something in hardware thats done to change the various models. I get it, simplifies production for sure.
Would be nice if there was an easy way to get a 3.6 changed to a 5 (I'm on a first gen)
geoffreycoan I think the export limit is separate from the inverter power limit. We have a Gen3 5kW inverter but it has a configurable export limit set to 3680W for G98. It can still put out 5kW for the house load.
It's done via changes to some registers but I'm unsure if Giv still do it. The merits of doing so only apply if your PV strings are >3.6kW as it does not make any difference to battery rates, they are still fixed at 3.6kW for both inverter sizes.
Same theory applies to AIOs, the 3.6 version is just the same 6kW one.
nophead agreed, the inverter export power limit (set by the DNO and is configurable by the installer) is separate from the inverter battery DC charge rate (set at a maximum of 3.6kWh for the Gen 2's and 3's, and 2.6kWh for the Gen 1's), and is separate again from the DC to AC PV limit (which is the 3.6 or 5kW in the inverter name)..
The question was can a 3.6kW inverter be upgraded to a 5kW inverter, i.e. can the DC to AC conversion limit be upgraded. Yes in theory as its configured in the inverter software, but whether this in practice can be done by an installer and GivEnergy would sanction it, I don't know. And as Hoggy says, its only of any use if you have more solar panels than the original inverter limit.