15K Generator Integration || Sol-Ark Quick Start Guide

In this video we take a surface level look at how the Sol-Ark support generator integration. Subscribe for future tutorials and tips.
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[@meganwinters5163]

Beautiful animations here, well done 👍! Would still love a narrated explanation to go along with; But that's just a personal suggesting (to each their own). Thank you Sol-Ark! Semper Fortis & A Happy New Year's 🇺🇲

[@clintelawson]

I have a 22k Generac connected on grid side. When my grid power fails and the generator kicks on, the solark can’t seem to tell I am on generator power, even though there is no current showing on the CT sensors as they are upstream on the meter side of the ATS. Hence, the solark is trying to push/sell power to my generator and it is causing line imbalance. Additionally, since the solark thinks my generac is grid power, it doesn’t shut down my micro inverters. I’m concerned about having a catastrophic event here with this. I thought I’d the “gen connected to grid input” was checked that it should know it’s on gen power. Is there some way to help it know the difference between grid power and gen power?

[@nommindymple6241]

I've got the same problem here. Solar-Ark 15k with a Kohler 26RCA generator hooked to the inverter's GRID terminal via an ATS (switching between the actual grid and the generator). When the generator kicks on, the inverter keeps pumping energy out the GRID terminal and into the generator. Bad things happen. When I emailed Sol-Ark technical support, the answers they gave involved turning on the Limited to Home or Limited to Grid options along with the Sell to Grid option. Those obviously don't work. The only way I've found around this is to keep the generator off, not use any kind of automatic generator options and during an outage, manually turn off the Sell to Grid option on the inverter and then manually turn on the generator. Not good. Especially when tech support don't even seem to understand the problem. My installers are now trying to work this out with them on the phone.

[@Sol-Ark]

@@nommindymple6241 "generator connected to grid port" is a good strategy for offgrid living as it frees up the GEN port for other purposes and the GRID port is not otherwise being used by the grid. For grid tied design, the generator should be tied into the GEN port, utilizing the transfer switch built into the inverter. @Clintelawson

[@leecoleman4274]

@@Sol-Ark Please see page 51 of your most up-to-date 15K manual, which is the "Standard Wiring Diagram - Whole Home Generator" which clearly shows a grid-tied inverter with a whole house generator connected into the GRID port. Steps 2 and 3 of the "Generators Bigger than 19.2kw" instructions on Page 16 make no mention of Grid-connected systems. If what you are saying is true, than both sections need to be updated to make it clear that the GRID terminal is only to be used with generators in Off Grid systems.

[@Sol-Ark]

Lee - we have 7 day per week support if you need help www.sol-ark.com/contact-us/#Anchor2 There are a few reasons to land the generator on the grid vs. GEN port. The GEN port is convenient and works with the autostart. However, the GRID port is also convenient for keeping the GEN port for other things, like EV chargers, AC-coupled solar, or subpanel management. The GEN port will limit the generator to 19.2kW of power output, so if you want the full 22kW-24kW of the generator power then you will need to connect to the GRID port. If also seeking a GRID connection in this configuration, then use an external ATS. I hope that clarifies your question but fill out a support ticket to discuss with us directly. We run all of our support out of our HQ just north of Dallas, TX.

[@Sol-Ark]

​@@nommindymple6241 Our units can work in limited to home(CT'S) + grid sell while having grid or a gen on the grid terminal, they MUST have checked "Gen connected to grid input", that setting allows our unit to differentiate between the grid and a gen on the same GRID INPUT. System will ONLY sell to the grid. Sol-Ark supports homeowners directly as well so if you are still having an issue feel free to use our support ticketing system.

[@abrahamsolar01]

Will a firmware update allow the generator a cool-down interval before the Sol-Ark releases it from running. This feature is important for diesel gensets, thanks.

[@Sol-Ark]

We provide a 2-wire autostart so you may need to integrate that with your diesel genset controller.

[@SUNofNY]

Where can we find detailed instructions on how to hook up a generator to two paralleled 15Ks?

[@Sol-Ark]

Page 54 www.sol-ark.com/wp-content/uploads/15K-2P_Manual.pdf