Fronius Primo GEN24 3.6 Plus SC3.68kW single-phase hybrid inverter, SC generation with AFCI

Overview

The Primo GEN24 3.6 Plus SC is the 3.68kW single-phase hybrid inverter of the GEN24 SC generation, with integrated arc-fault detection and a 150–465V battery input rated 22A. Its MPP trackers take 22A and 16A, and either one can carry the full 5.6kWp PV generator limit, with 3,810W of usable DC power. Full Backup provides 3,600VA after external switchover is installed, and Fronius approves Reserva towers of 6.3–12.6kWh and Reserva Pro of 12.0–20.0kWh with this inverter.

• 3.0–6.0kW single-phase, two MPPT rated 22A and 16A
• Integrated arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)
• Plus SC: battery input 150–465V, 22A, Full Backup
• Approved for Reserva 6.3–12.6kWh and Reserva Pro 12.0–20.0kWh
• PV Point 3kVA on all versions; IP66, -40…+60°C
• 97.7% maximum efficiency, made in Austria

How it works

The SC versions keep the GEN24 concept: a transformerless single-phase inverter for 220/230V grids that supplies the building, feeds the surplus into the grid and, on the Plus SC, charges and discharges a DC-coupled high-voltage battery. Six power classes cover 3.0, 3.6, 4.0, 4.6, 5.0 and 6.0kW, all in the same 530×474×165mm housing weighing 15.2kg.

PV Point, a single-phase backup circuit of up to 3kVA, is available on every version within 15s of a grid failure, provided PV or battery power is present. Plus SC models add Full Backup at full rated power with a switching time under 10s, once external switchover components are wired in the distribution board. On the SC versions without Plus, battery support is listed as an option through Fronius UP.

Key features

Compared with the earlier Primo GEN24, the second MPP tracker accepts 16A instead of 12A (32A short-circuit current), and the PV generator limit per tracker is higher: either tracker of the 3.0 takes 4.5kWp, and the 6.0 accepts 9kWp in total. An arc-fault circuit interrupter is built in, the usable MPP range is 65–480V and maximum efficiency is 97.7%. The battery input reaches 465V, with AC derating above 419.7V.

Installation and compatibility

Fronius approves Reserva with 2–4 modules (6.3–12.6kWh), Reserva Pro with 3–5 modules, BYD Battery-Box HVS/HVS+ with 2–4 modules, HVM/HVM+ with 4–8 modules and LG FLEX 8.6 or 12.9kWh. Reserva 15.8kWh and Reserva Pro with 6–8 modules are not approved. Up to four Reserva systems of identical capacity can run in parallel. Keep the PV open-circuit voltage at or below 520V, because the battery stops operating above 520V on either tracker.

Mount the inverter on a solid, non-flammable surface out of direct sunlight, at altitudes up to 4,000m. The AC connection needs a circuit breaker of no more than 63A, with 32A recommended for the 3.0 and 3.6 and 40A for the 4.0 to 6.0. Where a residual current device is required, type A is generally sufficient; Fronius recommends a frequency-inverter-type device with at least 100mA tripping current.

Monitoring and settings

WLAN, two Ethernet ports and an integrated datalogger with web server connect the inverter to Fronius Solar.web, and setup runs through the Fronius Solar.start app or a browser wizard. Modbus TCP SunSpec and the Fronius Solar API (JSON) are open to third-party systems. Two RS485 ports serve the Fronius Smart Meter, the battery and Ohmpilot, while 6 digital inputs and 6 inputs/outputs handle ripple control receivers and energy management.

Questions and answers