Thoughts on how to wire solar into my home?

I recently moved and am starting to investigate the best way to integrate / wire in solar for my homestead. The house doesn't have any preexisting solar but does already have a whole house generator with Eaton transfer switch. One big caveat is that I don't want the batteries in the house and since long runs for LV DC isn't cost feasible nor recommended I suppose putting the inverter/s close to the batteries is the best solution?

I'm debating on getting a container dropped in between the utility pole and the meter / generator on that side of the house and installing a Main panel in there with the inverters, batteries, charge controllers all in that container unit. I'd want a bypass switch put in so I can take the inverters out of loop and run straight from the grid if ever needed. I'd then have the utility company move the meter from the house to the container and then the container feed the transfer switch on the side of the house where current grid connection is.

My working theory is the inverters with direct connection to the grid will act as the transfer switch between the grid and solar allowing me to use grid assist with their built in relays and if that for whatever reason isn't present then the current transfer switch (Eaton) on the house can just switch over to generator taking the container out of the loop.I've seen a few people have a setup similar to this..where the grid entered into their shed/container and that fed the house. Anybody with experience with this setup?

Below is two pictures where you can see the current generator and meter/transfer switch..the utility pole is right behind this..then from the transfer switch the cable runs through the attic to the other side of the house into the main panel. How would you guys put solar into this equation? I do not ever want to sell back to the grid; I want to provide as much power as I can to offset usage and then pull from the grid any extra that might be needed.

I got a headache reading your wall of text. How about a diagram of what you have and thoughts on your options.

DIYrich said:

I got a headache reading your wall of text. How about a diagram of what you have and thoughts on your options.

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LOL, I get it. Is there a decent online web based diagram tool that's decent for solar / electrical work for free?

I guess the TLDR...is I bought a house that has a whole home generator installed with it's existing transfer switch. I want to install solar to provide supplemental electricity and backup power (non grid tied). I don't want to install batteries in my home and thus am looking at putting them in a shipping container. Since the inverters have to be close to the batteries I'd assume just installing all the solar equipment into the container would be best and frankly I like this idea. Since the home has a existing generator with transfer switch I'm looking at the best way to achieve this. A: putting the inverters before the existing transfer switch or B: After it.

realpinochet said:

LOL, I get it. Is there a decent online web based diagram tool that's decent for solar / electrical work for free?

I guess the TLDR...is I bought a house that has a whole home generator installed with it's existing transfer switch. I want to install solar to provide supplemental electricity and backup power (non grid tied). I don't want to install batteries in my home and thus am looking at putting them in a shipping container. Since the inverters have to be close to the batteries I'd assume just installing all the solar equipment into the container would be best and frankly I like this idea. Since the home has a existing generator with transfer switch I'm looking at the best way to achieve this. A: putting the inverters before the existing transfer switch or B: After it.

Click to expand...

My solar is currently in my house but is moving to a shipping contain. The container is insulated with 2" extruded poly but I will be putting the batteries in their own insulated box. Something to think about for those cold winter nights. Also, I am going to add A/C to extend the life of the batts and other gear. Shipping containers are nice but the temperature swings are big

OP. Still getting headaches

Please break your posts into much smaller paragraphs. You’ll get more help if you do.

It seems like you’ll need to get a basic understanding of solar, wiring, batteries, etc. before you begin your journey.

Also do your best to keep your posts concise ie asking one or two questions per post rather than ten or twenty.

PS. See what I mean about the paragraphs?

wheelman55 said:

OP. Still getting headaches

Please break your posts into much smaller paragraphs. You’ll get more help if you do.

It seems like you’ll need to get a basic understanding of solar, wiring, batteries, etc. before you begin your journey.

Also do your best to keep your posts concise ie asking one or two questions per post rather than ten or twenty.

PS. See what I mean about the paragraphs?

Click to expand...

My last update aka summery was a paragraph and I believe I stated the key objective clearly. I see your points about the original post though and breaking it up..good points. Thanks.

sunsurfer said:

My solar is currently in my house but is moving to a shipping contain. The container is insulated with 2" extruded poly but I will be putting the batteries in their own insulated box. Something to think about for those cold winter nights. Also, I am going to add A/C to extend the life of the batts and other gear. Shipping containers are nice but the temperature swings are big

Click to expand...

It seems you get what I'm saying. Are your inverters going to be in the container as well, if so are you moving utility power over to the container? Are you going to have a generator in the picture? I'd like to use the existing generator to change the batteries as well, that's a good catch I didn't think about. I was just thinking of it being a backup.

realpinochet said:

It seems you get what I'm saying. Are your inverters going to be in the container as well, if so are you moving utility power over to the container? Are you going to have a generator in the picture? I'd like to use the existing generator to change the batteries as well, that's a good catch I didn't think about. I was just thinking of it being a backup.

Click to expand...

I'm fully off-grid so no utility power. Generator runs a battery charger and inverters are in the container.

If inverter between meter and generator, then you need 3 lines: meter to grid input, generator to gen input, and panel to load output.

If inverter after meter and generator, then you need 2 lines: transfer switch to grid input, and panel to load output.

Inverter at house. 400v battery.