Sunny Boy Storage: The Quick and Easy Way to More Independence

(Update 4/2/2019 – multibattery functionality) Starting in June, the powerful SMA battery inverter Sunny Boy Storage 3.7/5.0/6.0 for private homes will be commercially available. In this post, you will learn how to install and commission the Sunny Boy Storage in a few steps and what makes the device so special.

 

With its three power classes 3.7 kW, 5.0 kW and 6.0 kW, the Sunny Boy Storage is following the trend toward higher power and battery capacities for home storage systems. Solar Academy trainer Jan Rössler proves in the tech tip that the Sunny Boy Storage can be easily installed by one person. He also offers helpful tips on how to do it even faster.

 

Tech Tip: How to install the Sunny Boy Storage 3.7, 5.0, 6.0?

 

In the screencast, he shows how fast you can connect the device to the utility grid after successful installation. The Sunny Boy Storage can be commissioned quickly and easily via a smartphone, tablet or PC in a few steps and thanks to an integrated web interface.

 

Tech Tip: How to commission the Sunny Boy Storage 3.7, 5.0, 6.0?

 

Refueling and heating for free

What actually sets the big brother apart from Sunny Boy Storage 2.5? It is mainly the multi-string battery connection that makes this battery inverter unique (possible via the automatic firmware update starting in the fall 2018). With three battery connections in total, the Sunny Boy Storage grows with the individual needs of its users. Maybe in the near future, you want to charge your electric vehicle in a climate-neutral manner and for free with electricity from your own PV system. Or you want to supply a heat pump with self-generated solar power. With this, high electricity bills are a thing of the past. If you start off with a small self-consumption system today, you can easily expand the storage capacity tomorrow. Further high-voltage batteries (independent of the manufacturer) can be added anytime.

 

Instructions update firmware for the “multibattery functionality”

  1. First, please connect only one battery to the Sunny Boy Storage (ideally the previously installed battery).
  2. Now install the multibattery firmware update 1.50.14.R (product page Sunny Boy Storage > Downloads > Firmware)
  3. Once the update has been installed, please connect the additional batteries (one or two additional batteries) to the Sunny Boy Storage.
  4. Start the installation wizard in the device interface and execute “New Configuration” in the Battery Configuration tab. The newly added batteries are now displayed and the storage system is ready for operation.

 

A reliable supply at all times

And then there is the integrated Secure Power Supply function. In case the utility grid fails, PV system operators can use it to continue supplying individual loads manually with solar power. Thanks to the optional battery-backup function, you do not even need the utility grid: In the event of a grid failure, the battery inverter then continues to automatically supply the entire household with clean solar power. Especially in markets with an unreliable utility grid, the Sunny Boy Storage is a real and, above all, sustainable alternative.

 

Ease and comfort with SMA Smart Connected

The Sunny Boy Storage 3.7/5.0/6.0 is the first battery inverter equipped with the SMA Smart Connected service package. This means that PV system operators and installers benefit from automatic and free inverter monitoring by SMA. As a result, nothing will get in the way of high self-consumption.

 

Find out more about the Sunny Boy Storage

 

 

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This article was published in 2019. As we are constantly developing our solutions, there may be newer or additional options for the tips and techniques in this article.

29 Comments
  1. Christian Lofton
    Christian Lofton says:

    Can I add Sunny Boy Storage to an existing SolarEdge System? I would like to have an AC Coupled system using SMA Sunny Boy Storage with SolarEdge Grid Tied Inverters.

    Reply
  2. A Rodrigues
    A Rodrigues says:

    Hi.
    I am thinking of upgrading my system (SBS 2,5 + RESU 10H) to the new SBS and add a 2º RESU 10H.
    But I didn’t see anywhere on manual/technical SMA neither in LG documents how to connect 2 batteries in the equipment.
    Is it even possible?

    Reply
      • A Rodrigues
        A Rodrigues says:

        Hello again.

        SMA advirtises that the new SBS can connect up to 3 batteries, but I couldn’t find anywhere how to connect two resu 10H type C to the sunny boy storage.
        That is my question, where are the instructions to make the connection.
        Thanks.

      • Christiane Keim
        Christiane Keim says:

        Hello Artur,

        Please contact our SMA Service regarding this technical advice.
        Thanks for understanding.

        Sunny regards
        Christiane

  3. Brian Reagan
    Brian Reagan says:

    This is exactly what I need for this years projects. Please send links to my email so I can get trained via u tube.
    Please send links for 2021 data sheets.
    Cheers! Thank You

    Reply
    • Christiane Keim
      Christiane Keim says:

      Hello Brian,

      Thanks for your kind feedback. Here you will find more information on our Sunny Boy Storage (please check the Download area for detailed technical information).
      An Update on our current webinars is available here.

      Sunny regards
      Christiane

      Reply
  4. David
    David says:

    Hi!
    I have a 6kw PV install with 2 SB3000TL. I’d like to add battery backup and the sunnyboy storage looks interesting.
    Whats the max charging rate of the SBS 6 – could it store all the produced electricity from the PV?
    Can I have more than 1? will they work in parallel?
    If there is a power cut whilst its sunny and I have the Backup unit installed, will they continue to power the house and/or store from the PV?
    Whats the cut over time from “mains” to battery power (UK install)
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Christiane Keim
      Christiane Keim says:

      Hello David,
      The charging power depends on the application. Depending on the country regulations and intended use, the maximum power of the Sunny Boy Storage 6.0 may differ.
      Currently, there is no possibility to operate the Sunny Boy Storage series three-phase by using three individual devices.

      Since the Sunny Boy Storage is a single-phase device, it can only supply one-phase in the event of a back-up (power failure).
      Through phase coupling, a load can also be supplied on other phases, but three-phase inverters can no longer synchronise to charge the battery in such cases.
      In this case, only a single-phase inverter can be put back into operation.The general switching times, from power failure to provision from the battery, are approx. 5-7 seconds.
      When using phase coupling, max. 10 seconds.

      Please note, this is very important:
      Local laws, installation conditions, requirements, must always be strictly observed.

      Sunny regards
      Christiane
      Further functions of the system depend on these.
      For further information, please check carefully the SMA data sheets and planning guides for the respective applications.

      Reply
  5. Antonia Stevens
    Antonia Stevens says:

    Can multiple Sunny Boy Storage 6.0 be installed in parallel?

    My maximum charging capacity is 12kW and I’m wondering if I could install two SMA SBS 6.0 in parallel utilizing a single transfer switch?

    Reply
  6. Leland Bristol
    Leland Bristol says:

    What is the maximum amount of solar modules in watts that I can connect to the Sunny Boy Storage 6.0-US? Is is 8 kW?

    Reply
    • Anke Baars
      Anke Baars says:

      Hi,
      Thank you for your request.
      It depends on the system design:
      Is it a grid-tied system without backup-function (without backup box), so the system operates only in self-consumption-mode? Then PV-Power can be higher than 8kW. The system (battery capacity + PV power + SBS) should be designed according to energy consumption/loads.
      Or do you need backup mode (backup-box installed), because utility-grid is not available? Then you need to consider the max. PV-power: 8kW is the maximum to handle the island-grid.
      Kind regards,
      Anke

      Reply
  7. Robert Readman
    Robert Readman says:

    Hello,

    When will SMA be releasing an in one three-phase solution?
    Currently it looks like you require three individual SBS3.7/5.0/6.0.

    Whilst I have nothing against having a Sunny Tripower Storage 60 in my home, having a Tripower storage in a smaller size for three-phase to one or multiple battery solutions with a suitable ATS option is a huge gap right now.

    Would love to see some of the current 3-phase storage solutions on the blog.
    Thanks in advance,
    Rob

    Reply
    • Erno Nykänen
      Erno Nykänen says:

      I´m also interested in 3-phase storage. Or is it possible to use 3 Sunny Boy Storages with one battery? In Finland the private homes has usually 3x25A 240V grid but something like 10kw would be enough.

      Reply
      • Anke Baars
        Anke Baars says:

        Hi Erno and Robert,
        For your mentioned conditions, I´d recommend our approved Sunny Island battery inverter (SI) . In the single cluster solution you can connect three devices to one battery.
        Just check it and keep me updated if this solution fits for you.
        Kind regards,
        Anke

  8. Sumrit Sitthiwaranuwong
    Sumrit Sitthiwaranuwong says:

    Hello Carolyn,

    Thanks for your helpful reply above.
    I’ve been searching for the backup device detail of SBS 6.0 through website and manuals but couldn’t find any, just stated that to be done by outside supplier.
    Could you please give more info on the issue – how and when to get that backup device, since it’s really important for the project we are working on.

    Kind regards,

    Reply
  9. Peter Laszlo
    Peter Laszlo says:

    Hello,
    I am now completely puzzled whether Sunny Boy Storage can or cannot act as a safety backup in case of a grid failure. Carolyn’s post states: “SMA has been unable to develop and offer an optional Backup Box, which is necessary for safe disconnection and switchover in the event of a grid failure, at an economically viable price (in relation to the system costs without Backup Box)” Now, how should I understand that post?

    Thanks in advance
    Peter

    Reply
    • Carolyn Schlosser
      Carolyn Schlosser says:

      Hello Peter,

      hopefully this will clarify your request:

      Departs cw 23 there will be the Sunny Boy Storage in more engine-power classes. Those are the new Sunny Boy Storages:
      – SBS3.7
      – SBS5.0
      – SBS6.0
      Those battery-inverter are SPS and backup compatible.

      The SBS2.5 neither have a SPS nor a backup function.

      Sunny regards,
      Carolyn

      Reply
  10. Mo Limbada
    Mo Limbada says:

    Hi,
    So the statement above “In the event of a grid failure, the battery inverter then continues to automatically supply the entire household with clean solar power.” is this true or just a marketing ploy as the previous comment states. Can it in the event of a grid failure supply power?

    Reply
    • Anke Baars
      Anke Baars says:

      Hi Mo,
      Yes, in the event of a grid failure, the Sunny Boy Storage can supply the entire household with solar energy. It´s no marketing ploy. You´ll even have two options for supplying your household which may depend on the quality of the public grid or your striving to independency: a.) use the integrated Secure Power Supply to provide electricity to individual loads manually from the battery OR b.) use the optional automatic transfer switch for full power supply to the home from the battery and PV system. The power in the battery-backup operation of up to 8 kW is sufficient for all standard loads.
      Kind regards, Anke

      Reply
      • Stephen More
        Stephen More says:

        Hi,
        I am interested in option b. Can you provide a link to information about “the optional automatic transfer switch for full power supply to the home from the battery and PV system” ?

      • Stephen More
        Stephen More says:

        Thanks, on page 19 the operating manual says “An updated list of automatic transfer switches approved by SMA Solar Technology AG is available
        at http://www.SMA-Solar.com.” I can’t seem to find the list of approved automatic transfer switches.

      • Anke Baars
        Anke Baars says:

        Hi Stephen,
        Sorry for the delay, but I´ve got news for you: In the US SMA is offering an Automatic Transfer switch (SBS-ABU-200-US-10). It is currently presented at the Solar Power International in Anaheim, CA. There will be no more lists, instead you can order the device very soon. You´ll find SBS-ABU-200-US-10 as well in the next update of the operating manual. Kind regards, Anke

  11. Stephen Brooke
    Stephen Brooke says:

    Installed Sunny Boy Storage with a 20Kw SMA Inverter and an LG Chem 9.8kWh battery in November 2017.
    Had a grid outage in March but was not at home to experience the back up battery.
    Had another grid outage last week, was home, there was no back up despite the battery being fully charged?
    Thought this was a fault, so called my PV installer, they advised the next day that this was not a standard function of the Sunny Boy Storage!
    Had I know this, I would not have installed SMA equipment, as continuity of supply was a mandatory condition for the PV install, would have gone with Solar Edge!
    So 2 questions:-
    1. Can an add on be achieved to allow the battery to back house power during grid outage?
    2. Can the current Sunny Boy Storage be upgraded to the new version with integrated Secure Power Supply at minimal cost?

    Reply
    • Carolyn Schlosser
      Carolyn Schlosser says:

      Hello Stephen,

      The studies undertaken in the preliminary stages of developing the backup system for the Sunny Boy Storage 2.5 have shown that offering the backup system would, in all probability, not lead to customer satisfaction. SMA has been unable to develop and offer an optional Backup Box, which is necessary for safe disconnection and switchover in the event of a grid failure, at an economically viable price (in relation to the system costs without Backup Box).
      A further reason is the relatively low amount of power that would be available to supply the connected loads in backup operation. The system would have to be disconnected immediately due to an overcurrent if loads with high startup currents, such as microwave ovens and vacuum cleaners, but also larger halogen spotlights (500 W), are switched on.
      We deeply regret that SMA has falsely raised expectations, and would like to offer our sincere apologies. SMA is, however, committed to only providing its customers with products that are expedient, economical and of a high quality, in order to be able to ensure the satisfaction of its customers with the purchased products, also in the long-term.

      Sunny regards,
      Carolyn

      Reply

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