Manuel S.

Enverga University Foundation

Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009

Laboratory Report Part 2

Combination of components, board, parts to be

assembled as a functional prototype.

300W Grid Tie Inverter with IOT

Selected Project to be Assembled.

Submitted by: Emmanuel D. Manalili

I. Introduction

In this phase of our project, our primary goal is to conduct a comprehensive analysis
of the necessary parts for our grid tie inverter while considering both our budget
constraints and the intended practical application. This involves a systematic survey of
available components in the market, checking their features, specifications, and
compatibility with our design requirements.
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009
Our approach includes canvassing various suppliers or vendors to procure these
parts, aiming to ensure cost-effectiveness while meeting the objective of assembling a
functional setup. Once we've identified potential components, we'll initiate the purchasing
process, considering factors such as price, reliability, and technical specifications.

Subsequently, the acquired parts will undergo testing to ascertain their functionality,
compatibility, and performance within our grid tie inverter setup. This stage serves as a
critical checkpoint to verify that the selected parts align with our design goals and can
effectively contribute to the functioning of our prototype. By methodically analyzing,
canvassing, purchasing, and testing these parts, we aim to ensure a balanced approach that
integrates cost-effectiveness with optimal performance, paving the way for a successful
assembly of our grid tie inverter prototype.
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009

II. Component Selection

A typical setup would include, solar panel, cable, cable connectors, grid tie inverter,
Breaker for safety and protection, panel board, power meter, AC outlet plug.

Plan Phase: Below circuit block diagram are the baseline of our parts survey.
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009

Step 1: Identify target location of application and target power production.

The team have decided to install and test

the prototype at the house of Emmanuel
Manalili (Team member). It is located on
Tartaria Silang Cavite, their typical
monthly bill is around 1400 PHP and
some more detailed consumption info in
the picture.
A daily average of grid consumption of
3.67 kWh was targeted to be covered by
the solar system by at least 20%.
Meaning, if the house has a net metering
system, the solar system must produce at
least 0.73kWh per day.

According to Manila ClimaTemp.com,

There is an average of 2105 hours of
sunlight per year (of a possible 4383)
with an average of 5.75 of sunlight per
day.
To do this, by estimation, we need to at least be able to set up a system that has an output of
127W during peak sun hours. But the minimum requirement for 10 people is 300 watts setup.
So, we decided to setup a 300 watts grid tie inverter solar system.

After Identifying the primary specs needed, we are now guided on what specs of parts to
survey.
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009

Step 2: Parts Specs Requirements Matrix

Parts Specs requirements Surveyed Price Range at

Shopee, Lazada and nearby
stores. (PHP)
Solar Panel 300 Watts, 10 A, ˜30V system 5000 7000
1x 300W or 2 150W panel

Grid Tie Inverter 300 Watts, 220V output, 60 Hz 3000 10000

module (Compatible to Meralco Philippines
Grid)

Cable Gage 16, fit to handle 300W, atleast13A 30 per meter 50 per meter

Connectors (With MC4 Water Resistant, outdoor 50 per pair 75 per pair
Spare) compatible
Breaker DC This is for Solar Panel output, to ensure 200 1000
that no greater than 10A will go to the
inverter . MCB Din Rail Type
Breaker AC 2A, dual directional to ensure that both 200 1000
grid and inverter will be protected from
over current. MCB Din rail Type
DC Surge Lightning protection of load 500 1500
Protector
Power Single phase, Can measure and display 400 1500
Meter/Display current, voltage, and power output of the
source
Panel Board 2x3 ft 200 300
Outlet 3 Gang (Will be use for sampling load) 70 120
Bulb 9-10 W (Will be used for sampling load) 50 150
Switch Single pole (for the bulb) will be use on 50 150
demo
Plug 220V, 10A, outlet compatible 50 100

Team Member contribution: 1700 per member , Total budget was 17K PHP.
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009

Step 3. Purchased of Parts with Specs and discussions.

A. Solar Panel
Price 5200 PHP,
Supplier: One Solar Homes Physical Store, ATC, Alabang
Brand: Solar Homes
Model: 340 Watts 10BB, Mono-Crystaline

Actual measured peak power output at peak sunlight hours (11:30am, 12:30 pm and 1:30
PM is around ˜240 Watts only (˜70% of declared max output). So, we consider this as still
safe or suitable for a 300 watts inverter.
We conducted the testing on selected days where the sunlight is clear (not rainy or cloudy
day). See below table for the result. As expected, the actual pout is not 100% equal to the
declared power output rating.
Solar Noon Unit of 10-Oct 12-Nov 5-Dec
Time Measurement Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
A 7.6 7.7 7.4
11:30 V 30.5 28.9 30.5
W 231.8 222.53 225.7
A 8.1 8.3 8.2
12:30 V 29.6 28.9 29.2
W 239.76 239.87 239.44
A 7.7 7.7 7.7
13:30 V 30.3 30.3 30.3
W 233.31 233.31 233.31

2
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009

B. 300W Grid Tie Inverter Module with Wi-fi

Price: 4,700 PHP
Supplier: Lazada mall YH (Online Store)
Brand: YH (China Brand)
Model: SG300MS

Detailed Specs of Inverter

 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009

Step by Step procedure on how to connect to wifi

Zoom to View Zoom to View

Recommended Connection Diagram and Trouble Shooting Guide

This Micro-inverter has no exhaust fan, it’s metal frame also

served as heat sink for internal components. It has integrated Wi-fi
for online control and monitoring system, wherein a certain app
named “Smart-Life” shall be installed to smart phone. By using
that Application and following the instruction in the manual, the
Inverter Wi-fi and the WLAN server at home will be connected.
The parameters such as DC Voltage and current output, AC
Voltage and Current Output, Calculated power and important
statistics can be viewed via app. In the screenshot on the right, we
can see the mentioned parameters and the on off control, it is
notable that the actual display is 101.9W while the last plot is only
around 60W, that is because the app is averaging the power
generation before plotting, for example, the average power
generated between 9am and 10pm will be plotted on 10AM X and
Y Axis. Note: The plot is the result of testing, we still don’t have
breaker that time that’s why we intend not to try on peak sun
hours on this specific time.
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009

C. Inverter Operation

Turn on AC Supply by pulling

Start Wait for 30 seconds
up the AC breaker

Continues Monitoring.
Wait for the light indicator to
The Inverter automatically
stabilized – Not Blinking.
Turn on DC supply from stops when over or under
Red steady means synchronization is
Panel by pulling up the DC current/voltage is detected.
taking placed. Green Steady means
breaker Automatically resumes when
synchronization is done and
stable power source is
operational. Steady red means fault.
detected. End

D. Energy Meter, Safety Protection, Breakers, and Wire

2A AC Breaker MCB – Since the output of inverter is 220V and the max power is
300W, therefore, we calculated the Max AC Current output as around 1.36Amps. The
available on the market is 2A only. This MCB is proven to be dual directional, meaning if
the load attempts to pull in greater than 2 amps from the inverter, it will be triggered, and
if ever the inverter fluctuates exceeding 2 amps, it will also be triggered. Actual testing
was done on the lab using adjustable AC power supply.

10A DC Breaker – Since the rated power of our solar panel is 340 Watts, (but the actual
peak is only 240 watts per result of testing), we have decided to use 10A DC breaker to
mitigate the possibility of exceeding the maximum power that the inverter can handle.
This breaker will serve as protection for the inverter in the event of overloading from the
Solar Panel.

DC Surge Protector – Solar panel that are installed on the roof is prone to ESD event
lightning strike, and other factors that can cause power surge, therefore, This type of SP
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009
absorbs surges voltages and divert it to the ground capable of protecting both panel and
the inverter module.

Energy Meter – We have installed this for us to monitor the actual power generated by
the Inverted without checking on the Smart-Life App, since the smart life app does not
display parameters in real time.

Price: 900 PHP Price: 230 PHP Price: PHP 212 Price: 425 PHP

Gage 16 Cable Wires

Brand: Royu
Model: Black and Red Stranded
Specs: 13A Max, 90⁰C, 10 Meters
Price: 42/Meter = 20 meters = 840 PHP

Additional parts
5W Bulb = 60 PHP Yellow Gage 18 Wire = 200 PHP 1x Switch 10A -45 PHP

3 Gang Outlet, 10A = 120 PHP 1x AC outlet Plug 10A-50 PHP El. Tape = 20 PHP

E. Related Literature – This was done because the inverter does not come with schematic
diagram. But we still want to have a deeper understanding on how the electronics
components were used to process the electricity from Solar Panel to AC.

According to [1], A grid tie inverter (GTI) functions as an interface between solar
panels and the utility grid, converting direct current (DC) from the panels into alternating
current (AC) synchronized with the grid. Comprising multiple stages, typically three, the
GTI uses a boost converter, an isolating DC-DC converter, and a final full bridge
converter with pulse-width modulation (PWM) to generate a sine wave output. To ensure
safety and efficiency, the GTI incorporates a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) to
optimize solar panel operation, anti-islanding protection for grid failure scenarios, and
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009
often utilizes microcontrollers for complex control algorithms. However, non-isolated
designs in transformer less inverters present potential electrical hazards, necessitating
additional protection devices as per NEC Article 690.35. The system also requires
compliance with UL 1741 standards, disconnecting power in milliseconds in case of
utility voltage or frequency deviations beyond specified limits. For specifics on design
and schematics, resources like ST Micro's application note AN3095 offer insights but
lack controller source code, emphasizing the complexity and regulatory considerations of
GTIs in grid-tie solar systems.

Reference
[1] L. Rozenblat, “Grid Tie Inverter Schematic and Principals of Operation,” LAZAR’s
SOLAR ENERGY GUIDE, 2017. https://solar.smps.us/grid-tie-inverter-schematic.html
(accessed Dec. 13, 2023).

F. Summary of Expenses for Hardware

Purchased Part Specs Price (PHP)
Description
Solar Homes 340 Solar Homes, 340 Watts Declared specs, but actual 5200
Watts Solar Panel peak is 240 Watts upon testing

YH Grid Tie Smart 300 Watts, 220V output, 60 Hz (Compatible to Meralco 4700
Inverter module Philippines Grid)

Royu Gage 16 Cable Gage 16, fit to handle 300W, atleast13A 840

CNCSGK Breaker DC MCB, 10A, Din Rail Type 230

Himel Breaker AC 2A, dual directional. MCB Din rail Type 212
 Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Lucena City, Philippines
Granted Autonomous Status
CHED CEB Res. 076 -2009
Suntree DC Surge 0.2 ms response time, Din Rail 900
Protector
Power Meter/Display Single phase, can measure and display current, voltage, 425
and power output of the source
Panel Board 2x3 ft 300
Outlet 3 Gang 3 Gang, 10A 120
Bulb 5W 5 Watts 60
Switch Single pole 45
Plug 220V, 10A, outlet compatible 50
MC4 Connector 3 pairs, 3 + Male, and 3 - female 100
Cable Tie, Soldering Miscellaneous parts for assembly 500
Lead, C Clamp,
Ring/Fork type
connector Additional
Yello cable for AC
and Ground

Total Expenses: 13,700

Next Stage is Assembly and Integration