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Some of the forum threads are WAY too long to read but have great information. Wondering if anyone knows of a tool that can be pointed at a thread in a forum like this & do summarization or question&answer sessions.

I need two 84" lengths of Unirac SM light rail. Looking locally for a supplier of a whole 14' rail but also checking online options for cutting and then shipping shorter lengths, to avoid freight charges. Is this short enough to cost a reasonable amount for UPS? Which companies can I get in...

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I have seen a few posts here and there saying that some jurisdictions accept non-paired UL9540 systems. What is the provenance of these claims? Is there a primary source for this, IE which IRC or NEC revision / code section contains authoritative enabling text allowing the looser version of...

I'm looking for an autotransformer to do general conversion from 120<->240<->120/240. My initial two use cases are to create 120/240 when grid is down, and to AC couple 240V microinverters to 120V grid-forming inverter. Right now I have a 3kW gasoline inverter-generator, and in the future I may...

Throwing an idea into the ether: Tigo optimizers are about half the per-panel cost of a 4-port Hoymiles microinverter, however they can only correct a 25% mismatch in voltage / current / power, while the microinverter can correct 100% mismatch (though obviously with major diminishing returns...

I will need to submit one of these with my interconnection application. I prefer to see an example of this before coming up with one on my own. Note that I'm not actually oversizing my system, I expect it to match my usage pretty closely, but the PG&E calculator does not take into account solar...

What are the guidelines around clearance between skylights and solar panels for a rooftop installation? I'm interested in code minimums as well as best practices. I have both operable and inoperable skylights, so I would appreciate information on both types. I'm under California code.

Looking for info/rumors on UL 9540A batteries from the more budget manufacturers. I know EG4 claims to be close to UL 9540A, and I think SOK said they have it in process right now. What other companies at this tier are also working on it? What would the 9540A system look like? The Outback UL...

This is an interesting idea b/c its a way cheaper piece of hardware than the split-phase inverters. When I looked for this inverter in the California Energy Commission equipment list, I noticed that it was listed as 5K-120V/8K-230V-1P (it's listed this way on the SolArk website as well), at the...

I'm doing some research into Rule 21 compliant hybrid inverters for a permitted on-grid installation in California (PG&E). Initial desire is to support solar panels, but as batteries for UL9540 systems get approved I'll be interested in slotting in storage. Must have utility-interactive output...

(Question is for California -- SF Bay Area and PG&E) For both the city permit, fire department, and interconnection application, it is necessary to list a specific model and number of solar panels. However, there's a bit of a risk here. If I buy the panels and stockpile them, there is a chance...

I currently have a rooftop install with 10 HM-800 2-port microinverters, and I'm looking to expand with 2- and 4-port microinverters. These are pretty cost competitive with string inverters and optimizers / rapid shutdown only strings. I'm trying to understand the viability of using one of the...

I'm getting set up to bench test some grid-tied inverters (UL listed, UL1741 interactive sources). Want to get a couple ideas on how to set up an inlet for these. I'm pretty sure there isn't a standard way to install these to code, since putting an interlock on the inlet will prevent the...

I'm planning out a microinverter installation for an expansion of my residential rooftop system. I may want to convert part or all of this to a DC system in the future. Total power going into a single conduit would be 5.2kW-DC. Planning out how microinverters should be cabled up seems pretty...

I wanted to get some more information about all of the different non-Enphase microinverters. Both from a cost/performance standpoint as well as things like ecosystem and support Manufacturer list AP Systems Hoymiles Others? In terms of what I've found so far unique to the above. I can see...

I just noticed that the 4-panel Hoymiles micros have two MPPT channels with 2 panels each, while the 2-panel micros have two MPPTs. The 4-panel ones are the ones that have real cost savings over buying IQ7s as far as I can tell from retail prices, and I think reasonable people can say that the %...

In my area, my understanding is that solar contractors (California C-46) are not that willing to assist with DIY projects since they're busy with more lucrative turnkey projects. So I'm trying to understand whether it is viable to hire a roofing contractor, and how to best utilize them The...

What are the available sizes for panels that are UL listed for grid tied systems? I know of 60, 66, and 72. Are there smaller form factors for squeezing into nooks and crannies better?

I had a system installed this year that uses Hoymiles. I'm looking to expand it in the next 3 months or so (to get in under NEM2) As part of my due diligence, I want to understand the tier list of different inverters, wrt price and capability. What are the microinverters above and below...

I'm wrapping up a full-service install at my house, located in PG&E / Peninsula Clean Energy territory (San Francisco area). I learned a lot and did a bunch of the legwork (checking & optimizing plans, scheduling inspections, doing quality control on their electrical work) on my own. Learned a...

I’m learning about the capabilities of V2L/V2H cars of the current model year to see if it’s worth buying one of those cars instead of building or buying a backup power system for my house. I am aware there will likely be more options once bidirectional CCS is on the market, but that’s kind of...