diy solar

diy solar

Local inspector shot me down

W

watchdoc

Solar Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 23, 2022
Messages
271
Well, I've been really excited about building an off grid system to power my 32x40 shop and bonus room. Lights, TV, outlet, fridge, mini split, and EV charger. Had it all planned out. (Will Prowse EG4 6500EX split phase system with EG4 batteries and 10kw of panels) Full order quoted and ready to ship. I even called my local utility and they said "We don't care what you do as long as you don't touch our grid".

I had one panel installer saying no permits needed since it's off grid and the other installer saying anything on a building has to be permitted. Well, I called the inspections office and they shot me down. Not only do I have to pay for multiple permits but they require engineering on rooftop solar for systems over 3.5lbs per sq ft.

So, it appears I'm left with only 3 choices which add somewhere between 50 and 100% to the cost of the system.

SolarEdge (looks good on paper until you have to use their super expensive lame ass buggy battery and have to deal with recalls and failures)

Enphase (super expensive when you setup off grid and add the various extra boxes required)

Sol Ark (3 times what other inverters cost, imbalance shut downs)

Anybody have any suggestions on a cheaper way to skin a cat and pass inspections???
 
ground mount isn't an option due to shading and inspector says a permit would be required anyway so the only cost savings would be engineering. Pitt County, NC has been on a mission to stick it to people that live here. Our real estate property taxes have increased 40% in the last two years and my 2016 Ram truck with 140k miles is now valued at nearly what I paid for it new. We have some of the worst net metering policies in the state and the inspectors have a habit of riding around looking for unpermitted building work, boats, animals, cars, etc so they can generate more revenue.
 
watchdoc said:
Well, I've been really excited about building an off grid system to power my 32x40 shop and bonus room. Lights, TV, outlet, fridge, mini split, and EV charger. Had it all planned out. (Will Prowse EG4 6500EX split phase system with EG4 batteries and 10kw of panels) Full order quoted and ready to ship. I even called my local utility and they said "We don't care what you do as long as you don't touch our grid".

I had one panel installer saying no permits needed since it's off grid and the other installer saying anything on a building has to be permitted. Well, I called the inspections office and they shot me down. Not only do I have to pay for multiple permits but they require engineering on rooftop solar for systems over 3.5lbs per sq ft.

So, it appears I'm left with only 3 choices which add somewhere between 50 and 100% to the cost of the system.

SolarEdge (looks good on paper until you have to use their super expensive lame ass buggy battery and have to deal with recalls and failures)

Enphase (super expensive when you setup off grid and add the various extra boxes required)

Sol Ark (3 times what other inverters cost, imbalance shut downs)

Anybody have any suggestions on a cheaper way to skin a cat and pass inspections???
Click to expand...
Totally off-grid. Ground mount. Power shed 60' from house. No problems with imbalance if you have a properly installed 40 space balanced panel already and you don't plug in 4000W of 120V electric heaters to cause a shut down of a hf inverter with extra margins of safety and reliability to promote a sponsor company with poor customer service. The only thing that has shut my 12k's down other than me setting parameters/testing is my Dewalt 7 1/2 inch circular saw. You'll forget all about the cost after using the 12k menu to set parameters and calling tech support for help compared to my new EG4 6500ex's.
 
Why are you getting away from the EG4 inverter? Permitting for the roof installation of solar is one thing, but that just makes you get engineering and load ratings for your roof. The inverter can still be EG4 no?

I will add, I just moved to a Sol Ark 12k from 2x LV6548's, and I'm never looking back.
 
RV10flyer said:
Totally off-grid. Ground mount. Power shed 60' from house. No problems with imbalance if you have a properly installed 40 space balanced panel already and you don't plug in 4000W of 120V electric heaters to csuse a shut down of a hf inverter with extra margins of safety and reliability. The only thing that has shut my 12k's down other than me setting parameters/testing is my Dewalt 7 1/2 inch circular saw. You'll forget all about the cost after using the 12k menu to set parameters and calling tech support for help compared to my new EG4 6500ex's.
Click to expand...

So you have both systems?? Sol Ark and the EG4-6500ex? if so, i definitely wanna pick your brain. I'm gonna have to save more money before I can afford the Sol Ark but that's probably how I'm gonna go. What batteries are you using with the Sol Ark?
 
Lt.Dan said:
I will add, I just moved to a Sol Ark 12k from 2x LV6548's, and I'm never looking back.
Click to expand...
yeah after dealing with Signature Solar and then testing both EG4 inverters on the bench, setting up parameters, I'm glad I spent the extra money for my home system. although the EG4's did run my Dewalt circular saw, whereas the 12K's shut down?.
 
watchdoc said:
So you have both systems?? Sol Ark and the EG4-6500ex? if so, i definitely wanna pick your brain. I'm gonna have to save more money before I can afford the Sol Ark but that's probably how I'm gonna go. What batteries are you using with the Sol Ark?
Click to expand...
I'm getting the EG4's installed over the next month so check back with me after I have some testing and experience with them. So far, just bench tested to 26% load, so I didn't find out there was a problem weeks later.

I built my diy 280aH batteries using cells from Alibaba - Shenzhen Luyuan Technologies aka Amy and Dongguan Lightning aka Hayley. All BMS's to be gradually replaced with JK BMS 200A with 4.3" LCD.
 
I'm probably going to build a small solar EV charging trailer (since they won't have to inspect that!!!) to satisfy my solar cravings for now and save up for a full Sol Ark 15k system.
 
so, they each requoted me for 8kw systems as follows

SolarEdge HDwave with EV charging arm and 20 Jinko 435's and no batteries $24k turnkey

Sol ark 8kw with just a EV charging plug and the same 20 Jinko 435's and no batteries $20k turnkey.
 
Lt.Dan said:
Why are you getting away from the EG4 inverter? Permitting for the roof installation of solar is one thing, but that just makes you get engineering and load ratings for your roof. The inverter can still be EG4 no?

I will add, I just moved to a Sol Ark 12k from 2x LV6548's, and I'm never looking back.
Click to expand...
EG4 is a BAD CHOICE because it doesn't have AFCI built in. permitted installs on homes require RSD, AFCI and GFP compliance. none of which are built in to any EG4.
 
x98myers7 said:
EG4 is a BAD CHOICE because it doesn't have AFCI built in. permitted installs on homes require RSD, AFCI and GFP compliance. none of which are built in to any EG4.
Click to expand...

Thank you, we have established EG4 won't work anyway due to inspections but thank you for your input.
 
you can still absolutely DIY with a Midnite solar classic SCC that has both AFCI and GFP built in. Add on an IMO FireRaptor for RSD.
 
x98myers7 said:
you can still absolutely DIY with a Midnite solar classic SCC that has both AFCI and GFP built in. Add on an IMO FireRaptor for RSD.
Click to expand...

If it isn't UL listed, it wont pass according to the inspector. If those products are listed, I would be interested in knowing more.
 
watchdoc said:
Not only do I have to pay for multiple permits but they require engineering on rooftop solar for systems over 3.5lbs per sq ft.
Click to expand...
The solar array likely won't exceed 2.5 lbs. per square foot so at least that is handled. IronRidge's design tool calculates that. Here's one I just did.
edit to fix typo

1662133429079.png
 
Last edited:
watchdoc said:
If it isn't UL listed, it wont pass according to the inspector. If those products are listed, I would be interested in knowing more.
Click to expand...
all are.

Samlex offers UL listed standalone inverters, as well....
www.donrowe.com

Samlex PST-3000-24 3000W, 24V Pure Sine Inverter | DonRowe.com

The Samlex PST-3000-24, 24 Volt, 3000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter features a commercial grade design for extreme reliability and is designed to accommodate tools and appliances in vehicles, RVs, boats, solar systems and more.
www.donrowe.com

Midnite SCC

Product - MidNite Solar

MidNite Solar Product Page.
www.midnitesolar.com
 
x98myers7 said:
all are.

Samlex offers UL listed standalone inverters, as well....
www.donrowe.com

Samlex PST-3000-24 3000W, 24V Pure Sine Inverter | DonRowe.com

The Samlex PST-3000-24, 24 Volt, 3000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter features a commercial grade design for extreme reliability and is designed to accommodate tools and appliances in vehicles, RVs, boats, solar systems and more.
www.donrowe.com

Midnite SCC

Product - MidNite Solar

MidNite Solar Product Page.
www.midnitesolar.com
Click to expand...

I'm gonna need 8000 watts minimum. I'm not familiar with the products you are mentioning. Do you have a link to a sample system?
 
watchdoc said:
I'm gonna need 8000 watts minimum. I'm not familiar with the products you are mentioning. Do you have a link to a sample system?
Click to expand...
sorry, no. sounds like you'll need to do some research.

there are separate components that you can piece together that are all UL listed.
 
Ampster said:
Outback and Schneider make UL listed equipment. Batteries depend on whether NEC 2020 has been implemented. The only advice about passing inspections is follow the code.
Click to expand...

North Carolina is NEC2020.
 
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