Summary of my system:
- The system is installed in Mallorca, Spain.
- Victron Multplus II 8000 connected to grid.
- Fronius Primo 6 KW placed on AC Out.
- 20 Jinko 455W solar panels placed on the main roof that go to the Fronius.
- First string: 15 panels, 12 degrees inclination, facing south-east. Almost no shadows.
- Second string: 5 panels, inclined 25 degrees, facing perfect south. A bit of shadows over one panel late in the afternoon.
- 5 modules of Pylontech US3000C.
- RS SmartSolar 450/200Tr connected to battery.
- 20 450W Tenka Solar placed on a carport with only 3 degrees inclination, all facing south-east.
- First string: 8 panels that have half of the panels shadowed at 11.30AM.
- Second string: 6 panels that have half of the panels shadowed at 12:30PM.
- Third string: 6 panels that have half of the panels shadowed at 1:30PM.
That battery charger along with the Tenka panels were installed past November, and since I got them I thought that they were under-performing. The Fronius (which I've had for more than a year) presents much better shadow managing in my experience.
In general, even though both sets of panels have the same peak energy, the charger generates roughly 30-40% less than the Fronius. I thought that was because of the inclination (12-25 degrees on the Fronius - 3 degrees on the RS SmartSolar). I think there is something more mysterious here than just that.
Today, I updated the firmware of the SmartSolar to a new beta version (1.16) which, in theory, improves the shadow management. And I experienced something very weird from 2:30PM to 3:00PM. Production from the Fronius halfed while the SmartSolar doubled. As an extra note, it could be that during that time a shadow of a chimney obstructed the second string of the Fronius for a while.
I can't wrap my head around that, since the Fronius and the RS SmartSolar don't speak to each other... Is it the Multiplus II then? What could be the cause of that? Do you think that my suspicions are right and there is something badly configured?
Attaching some pictures so I can better explain myself.
First image: Victron RS SmartSolar VS Fronius Primo 6.0.2. Today's production. See that dip on the Fronius along with that boost in the SmartSolar.
Today's production only in the SmartSolar, seeing each string separately. You can clearly see when the shadows kick in.
For reference, the last day that we had zero clouds. See that big difference between the Fronius and the Victron SmartSolar. Can inclination alone do this?
Thank you so much for your help!