Recent content by pvgirl

There is a bit of a difference between using open source software on someones on own hardware, and wanting free access to a massive global network infrastructure.

the internet is pretty much the opposite of offgrid, sounds like you want a basically a way to connect to a massive global communications network, but not pay for any of the costs of building and maintaining the network that brings that access to you?

A custom designed framing system would most likely need to have plans that have been reviewed and stamped by an engineer to make sure the roof can support support the framing and panels, and is strong enough to handle wind and snow loads. The code requirements for solar panel mounting is in the...

t90/twn75 wire seems to be close to what we in usa call thhn/thwn wire. Using that in 14awg in the conduit would work, you want green for the ground.

14 AWG wire can be used, and voltage drop will still be under 3%, I wouldn't combine the negatives together, and instead just run 5 wires + and - for 2 strings and a ground wire.

Circuit breakers are over current devices, so a 600v/20a breaker will trip above 20 amps of current, regardless of the voltage. The 600volt rating of the breaker is the maximum voltage the breaker can interrupt, but the breaker will not trip on voltage. Protection from over voltage should be...

Do you have a code reference for this requirement? Disconnect requirements very depending on code versions. A simple disconnect switch for the AC output of the inverter, that disconnects the supply of to the rest of the house, located outside may be enough to satisfy this requirement.

If this system is going to be permitted or inspected, it would up to the inspector/AHJ if the software configuration of the inverter to disable export would be an acceptable enough control to not require the 120% rule to be enforced.

One option would be to remove the grid input from panel A and do a supply/service side tap before one of the panels, and connect to the grid input thru a dedicated 60amp fused disconnect, or enclosed circuit breaker.

Those vacuum insulated panels can not be cut, and must be protected from damage. The vacuum is provided by what is basically a sealed myler type bag, if cut, punctured or other wise damaged, the vacuum will be lost, and most of the insulating value would be lost.

12 AWG is fine for individual strings, if you want to combine the 2 strings at the array you would need to use 10 AWG instead. 7x12 AWG, or 2x12 AWG and 3x10AWG, or 5x10AWG, would all be acceptable options. Even with a ground rod at the array code still requires are ground wire to be run with...

Code requires that disconnects be operable without exposing the operator to live parts so a switch mounted inside a box would no be acceptable, without using an enclosure that provides a cover or dead front over any contacts. One option is to use a switch that extends the control to the outside...

Yeah 3 strings of 8 is going to be your best bet, 2 strings in parallel on one input and 1 string on the 2nd input. You can start with 2 strings of 7 on one input, and 1 string of 8 on the other.

The exact design will depend on which sol-ark 5k model you have, the 5K-1P-N 120volt or the 5K-2P-N 120/240volt. Also we need to consider the record cold temperature at your location, we need to make sure the open circuit voltage of the strings will not exceed to the inverter rating. You will...

Yeah that 120/240 output is a split phase output.