Nice work. I have a similar R type metal roof and debating S-5 vs. SignatureSolar's mini rails. What rib bracket did you use, original or one of the others. Looks as if a Rib Bracket and PVkit are $14-15 each, did you find a better price or have the prices gone up? $8 for Signature's 13"...
Sorry to make this so long but comments are helping. First the house panels, 1997 GE. four load wires go through the back of the meter panel, through exterior wall, and through the back of the right 200a panel's lower left corner. One pair to the right main and the other pair through the stud...
Thanks for the response. Initially given the guideline that Voc total <90% of MBBT limit, then started reading about going slightly over limits. Your May 2 comment mentioned paneling to 500Vmpp and using the 100V remaining for cold temp reserve. James used 1.2 as a safe panel to inverter...
The 7.0 and 7.7 showing as discontinued makes the Growatt an easy choice. Get two and I have up to 6-8 strings with a 16.9A Isc. If the SBSE solution crosses $5k then hard to ignore the EG4/Sol-Ark options. Monthly net metering and wanting to offset summer month AC loads
If a paved driveway then a pair of furniture dollys and some rope can help. A line around the panels and tied to something heavy enough to resist tipping, even an an 80+ neighbor. Lift the line enough to release a panel and lay it down on the two dollys. Add a panel or two, if can be done...
Almost N/S metal building (170/350) with sub panel and power entrance at north end. Thinking two strings of eight panel 460s on each side (080/260) of the 5 degree sloped roof. Hoping shorter wire runs offsets some of the east side slightly lower production. PVwatts yields:
460x8...
Here in north central Texas I have been more aware of the sun this year and watched SR & SS move north in the spring and now moving back south. That seasonal movement must by why pvwatts shows the 080 facing panels a bit higher than the 280 facing panels. And the reverse for winter...
Used former neighbor as GC to put an addition on the house. His subs, including electrical, and they used a Square D disconnect on the meter line but HO for the new panel. Upgrading the shop's panel for solar and I got HO based on their usage.
Not 4,000 sq ft but 2,700 with a 700 sq ft addition added in 2019 for mother in law. Addition was done right with sprayed foam insulation, two Mitsubishi GL-09 minisplits, and a propane tank less HWH.
She does like the mid 70s and the minisplits had trouble keeping up. Added a small electric...
Want ~14-15k, 32 to 40 400W panels, on a building distant, but fed, from the meter. Utility (net zero) said grid tied easily approved but hybrid required $$ meter changes, batteries and transfer switch 'near' the meter, not in a separate building. Noted that only two of the 30 or so nearby...
Running wire for new breaker panel in building where solar is going. Attached 200a panel connects directly to the meter through a disconnect. The lower right pair of breakers feed 100a to the shop/solar building.
A supply side taps with four double entry, four hole polaris using Hedges idea...
How does a Solarever 455 fit with the EG4-18? Higher Voc/Vmp, lower Isc/Imp than the 410 panel. Does the inverter care if three strings are used and the fourth empty for future growth? Using Alex Beale's calculations https://footprinthero.com/solar-panel-voltage-calculator to get:
455...
My meter panel with three 200 amp outputs complicates CT location. The local utility came by and said the meter's third 200amp leg, with its existing disconnect, would be approved for solar if a disconnect was added at the building where I want solar panels. I had planned on a hybrid inverter...
Tempting to swap the 225 amp main with the 200 amp main breaker, but NEC probably frowns on that. Changing the 200 amp main to 175 amp main should be OK and pass the calculation rules. Swapping enclosures is more than I want to do. The addition doesn't use many amps so a 175 amp should work...
If panels, inverter, and batteries at an out building 200 ft from the meter, what current does the CT carry and what size wire for the distance? Out building has a sub panel with little load.
1997 house has two adjacent main 200a panels fed by four load wires directly behind the meter...
No city inspectors only utility. Nothing has raised a question about size until you get to megawatt production. Utility currently feeding my meter enough for three 200a main panels, should be able to send a few watts back.
Didn't know about the 120% rule until joining here. The 200a picture...
Thanks all for the help. This is an old-1987 100a panel, not so old-1997 house, and 2019 addition. Original owners had an apartment in the 50x60 100a building supporting 50g hwh, jacuzzi, dryer, and motel style hvac (low heat, high heat, etc). Still worked when I arrived in 2010. Originally...
My neighbor's installations range from edge to peak to space from side, edges, and peak. Majority have walking space between every two rows of panels. But being outside city limits means fewer rules to follow.
I plan to start below the ridge line so the peak protects panel edge from strong...
I see what you mean about breaker size. Encouraged by lower prices then found the Square D chart with QOM 1 and 2 frame sizes with the breakers for each. 2s seem almost $100 more than the 1s with the big box stores out of stock. Electrical sites are closer to Square D's list price.
Learning more about 120% rule and load vs line. Where does the ability to tap line side end - at first ocpd? One of my meter feeds is external to an adjacent 200a disconnect (Q22200NRB). Does the 200a CB inside the disconnect make it an ocpd? Would changing to a knife style disconnect allow...
As a June post this may be done by now. Similar position but looking at Signature's panels, 40 x 390 Canadian CS6Rs for $5,685 (pallet+10) with occasional free shipping. You have a 10 hour round trip,so a long day if your go yourself.
I'm also learning but my initial estimate had shut down...
Excess produced is a gift to the utility - consume more than produced then I pay the difference monthly. They swap meters to one that can net meter. Current bill averages $150 plus meter fee, so wanting solar is more to add property value and help with summer demand. Plus neat thing to do...
I looked at my steel purlins again and they are 4.5 - 5 ft apart. Which means some panel borders will have one or two trapezoids to support the sides of two panels. I would feel better with mounts screwed to purlins and not the thinner panel. XR10 can span 5.5ft in 140 mph wind, and work...
Similar original system here but meter moved from out building to house when house was built. Would it be worth moving your meter and you doing the as needed wiring to the outbuilding? You my not have the time or interest.
Four years ago I got a quote of $3K to move propane tank and run new...
Sorry tried to change mid thought and deleted while editing original post. Yes, more 150a and 200a available,
150A main as in 200x1.2=240-150=90a? That would work but you caught me trying to bring over as many amps as I could.
Monthly net metering offset but no buy back of excess production. Primary concern is April - October air conditioning load.
Neighbor mentioned December's cloudy days resulted a $40 bill for grid kWs. He usually has just the meter/line charge but has older panels and doesn't remember their kW.
First step in adding solar is replacing a small 35 year old sub CB panel. Currently has a pair of (original)125 amp CBs feeding 14 slots. This panel connects, with #4 AWG THWN-2 wires, 75' underground to a pair of 100 amp breakers in a 200 amp main panel.
With a Sol Ark 15 AC out at 62.5...
Inverter AC out to a tap on the 100a line to the 200a main panel's breakers, does the 120% 40a limit go away? Is changing the 200a main to 175a easier?
The 100a panel is being replaced, perhaps become a one breaker combiner/pass through. A hom3060L225 arrived today and I have a QO225vh...
Sol Ark website shows electricians on a map based on your zip code. https://www.sol-ark.com/map
Not sure of your equipment source but Signature Solar sent me a list of installers a year ago, may have an updated one by now.
Wild card, my neighbor had cottonelectricdfw.com do work on his camera...