I’m seeking help in getting a Victron Quattro 15kVA approved for grid connection with the Irish grid operator, ESB Networks. Im excited in getting my ESS system up and running but its taking months and I am struggling getting approval for the Quattro.
ESB Networks since the start of the year have now introduced the Low Carbon Technology Register. For an inverter to be included on this list, the manufacturer must complete and sign a technical declaration form to certify that it meets all required standards, including export limitation. Having the product on this list is crucial as it greatly simplifies the grid connection approval process for all future customers in Ireland.
I believe I am one of the first trying to get this specific Quattro model through this new process. The final step is obtaining the signed declaration from Victron, but I have not yet received a response through the channels I’ve tried.
Getting the Quattro series officially registered would be a significant advantage for Victron in the growing Irish market. I’m hoping someone here might be able to help me with the following:
Is there a specific department or contact person at Victron who handles grid code compliance and product certifications?
Has anyone else in Ireland successfully navigated this process with ESB Networks for a Victron product?
What is the most effective channel to submit this formal request to ensure it reaches the right technical team?
Any guidance or contact information would be greatly appreciated.
Good to hear the Quattro is running good for you, I’m an all electric house (ASHP, EV etc) so need the bigger system. I also have my own bored well so if power goes its getting water to the house is my issue, not too concerned about heating etc as I have a very well insulated house.
TBH my grid is fairly stable never been out for more than an hour or two over the past couple of years just would like some back up but also to reduce my Elec bills using super low night rates.
The NC6 is self declaration so you don’t have to jump through the hoops of what I am trying to do. Just trying to get someone in Victron to respond. The consultants in the UK who are managing the process for ESBN are chasing them up also for the deceleration but again no response from Victron.
I would have thought getting their equipment certified would be high on the priority list…
I think we might have some movement, the Consultantas reviewing the equipment for ESBN were asking that if the communication cable between the Cerbo and the Quattro got disconnected the Quattro would shut down within 5 secs. As the NC7 application you can export limit they thought the Cerbo was controlling the Export limits but that’s all coded into the Quattro under the grid code and settings. They’ve accepted this now I think and we should get some movement.
Bit annoying as they been sitting on this for weeks for no reason, hopefully we can get the Quattro approved and I can get this thing going
I’m in the process of designing the solar panel system we need and the Victron Quattro-II 48/5000 is my inverter of choice. However, I don’t see it (or any Victron devices for that matter) on the ESBN LCT Register. Would you mind if I linked in with you on how you got approval? Did it take long?
Its still going through the LCT register process so no approval yet….the last I heard was that they were looking for certification of RoCoF (Rate of Change of Frequency) functionality and did it meet EN 50549 standard. This was the last hurdle to get on the LCT and that was 2 weeks ago. Don’t know if they got it sorted yet but we should know hopefully soon. I just emailed them to check, if they back to me I will let you know.
As you are getting an NC6 I presume the specs for this should be less stringent, eg you don’t need export limiting etc
It’s a bit of a minefield tbh with all the regulations. I need a stable independent supply as there are medical devices here so I want to be able to start up a generator when the ESB network goes down. The Victron Quattro-II will enable that but the rules around exporting to grid (which will only happen with surplus solar) then starts to cloud matters as does the ‘fireman’s switches’ etc. But I’m going nowhere if I can get the Victron Quattro-II or similar which will allow API integration.
Yeah the LCT register has complicated it a bit especially for NC6 where before you could just “Fit and Inform” ESBN and it only had to be certified to En 50549 now it has to be on this register. Once on it though it should make easier for people to get connected we are just caught in this limbo. I see the 8000, 10000 and 15000 Quattros have a EN 50549 cert but not the 5000 for some reason, unless someone out there can point to it!
Hi! Sorry to jump in here but you are the only Irish person I can find online who has done this! Did you have to install anything extra for the islanding side of it or is it ok with just inverter itself? I see some talk online about this seperate “islanding relay” but cant satisfy myself if its needed . Still happy with the inverter after a few months??
Yes I installed the Anti-islanding system and the 15kVA Quattro is also now on the LCT register and the Export Limiting register. To be fully NC7 compliant you do need the anti-islanding unit as well, as ESBN want redundancy as part of the regs.
I posted my system on here a few weeks ago and I am up and running. Working great…the 15kVA Quattro is a charging and inverting beast..tested the backup and the lights didn’t even flicker.
I’m going to hijack this old thread if you don’t mind!
I’m looking to install a Quattro-II 48/5000 system from MPE Renewables in Mayo. Looking at 16-18 panels, Victron Smartsolar RS 450/200, and 2x Dyness Powerbox G2s. The issues I’m having is trying to find an installer/electrician who is willing to install and submit the NC6. I do have one quote, but I think it’s more of a PFO quote than a genuine one. Any recommendations on installers or electricians? I’m based in the south east of Ireland. @Eco_Mental I’ve been oogling your system, how’s it been going for you? @jcirl did you build your system yourself or was it a pre-built system like the ones MPE supply? Cheers
I got my system with MPE also, if you chat to them and they should have a list of contractors they work with.
Im based in Cork and my electrican is based in Cork also and installs MPE systems. You can give him (Kevin) an email if you want mossgrovepower@hotmail.com dont know if he will travel to Wexford thought (assuming thats where you are..)
The good news part is that’s almost exactly the same system as I have and it has been working flawlessly for over a year so we’re incredibly happy with it. Power interruptions are a thing of the past.
The bad news … it was an absolute nightmare to get an electrician to install it and sign it off. We did get someone, but I know for sure he never wants to do one again. I think it’s just too much work compared to the regular systems they install.
I still haven’t my full system design yet. I did want to go with the Quattro II but my understanding is that this Inverter is the NC7 route as its output is above the 25A limit whereas the Quattro II on the ELS is the one rated at 12kVA. Am I wrong in this?
Sorry for the slow response @jcirl completely missed the notifications.
That’s great to hear!
I’ve managed to find an installer in Wexford that is willing to install the system. So hopefully he can get it installed quickly and without issue.
How have you found the Quattro-II in terms of its 4kW cont. output?
Question for you on your batteries. Are you using Dyness powerbox g2 modules? How have you them mounted?
@Eco_Mental I saw you had your three Dyness G2s mounted in front of one another. How has that worked for you in terms of temperature management? I think I’m going to have to floor mount my two one in front of the other.
I’ve been spec’d the Quattro-II 48/5000/70-50, which I believe is below the 25A limit. I’m going the NC6 route.
I think the calculation is something like
=> 5000VA / 230V = 21.7A
I believe the Quattro-II’s are just Multiplus-II’s with an additional AC Input. You need to go back to regular Quattro’s/Multiplus-II’s to go above 5kVA.
@ElectroTor Here are the temps of my batteries for the last 6 months (don’t know which one of the three this graph is, to be honest). I have about a 50–100 mm gap between them, so they are not butted up against each other. They never run hot, even during this summer…They are in my garage so is cool enough but this summer it did get warm in there during the heat wave
Because I have three, they never charge above about 0.33C, so they’re never overly stressed. For high loads, I’ve pulled up to 12–13 kW for periods of time, but again, that isn’t stressing them because it’s split across the three units—so only around 4 kW each.
