SMA SB 3000-US - Manual (Page 13)

SMA America, LLC 2 Safety
Installation Manual SB30-40-US-IA-en-34 13
2 Safety
2.1 Intended Use
The Sunny Boy is a PV inverter that converts the direct current from the PV array into alternating
current.
Figure 1: Principle of a PV plant with Sunny Boy
You can use the alternating current generated as follows:
Position Designation
A PV array
B Sunny Boy with DC Disconnect
C Load
D Energy meter
E Power distribution grid
Household grid: Energy flows into the household grid. The loads connected, for example
household devices or lighting, consume the energy. The energy left over is
fed into the power distribution grid. When the Sunny Boy is not generating
any energy, e.g. at night, the loads that are connected are supplied by the
power distribution grid. The Sunny Boy does not have its own energy
meter. When energy is being fed into the power distribution grid, the
energy meter runs in reverse.
Power distribution grid: Energy is fed directly into the power distribution grid. The Sunny Boy is
connected to a separate energy meter. Depending on the electric utility
company, you will be remunerated accordingly for the energy generated.
Stand-alone grid: The Sunny Boy is connected to a stand-alone grid. A stand-alone grid is a
grid that is not connected to a power distribution grid. The Sunny Boy
needs a grid-forming generator, for example a Sunny Island, in order to
function. The energy generated is consumed directly on site; surplus
energy can be stored in batteries.