Recent content by glandpuck

The Sol-Ark website lists all batteries that are supported as closed loop and those supported that are open loop. There are many to choose from a great prices.

I have an array consisting of 8 340 watt panels connected in series to a Sol-Ark 15k. No problems noted in past 6 weeks. After shutting down the Sol-Ark to do panel maintenance, then restarting the Sol-Ark, one of three arrays is no longer putting out power, just voltage. To start trouble...

On your 200 amp subpanel with a 100 amp buss bar, I believe the max input is a 50 amp double pole breaker and a derate of the main to 175A. It may be that your 40 amp also requires a derate of your mains. You are right that for what you say the 18k PV and Sol-Ark 15K are too large. But a 12K...

Well, since the CPUC just enacted a fixed monthly charge of a little over $24 on top of your other charges in exchange for a supposed 5-7 cents per kWh rate, the future of residential solar is again changed. Any export value will now be reduced, whether NEM 1.0, 2.0 and maybe ?3.0. The cost to...

Sounds like paranoia?

Panel label is for laboratory conditions of 77 degrees and a certain radiance on the panel. then there is another rating like NOC. Put them outdoors, you may see brighter sun and temps lower than 77 and your panel output will be above the label. Same with edge effect. In edge effect, high...

During this time of the year, from like 11 AM until about 1:30 PM the angle of the sun on the panels is near optimal and so you are not going to get a sharp peak or spike, more of that continuous flatter power output you are showing. That's fine. In direct sun at ambient 80 degrees, I suspect...

That might work. Just remember, while I am not an engineer, I know that wind load created by panels is very large and it can bend steel in ways you and I thought would never be possible.

I suppose Midnite could have gone to Germany or Austria for their contract manufacturing. After all, SMA and Fronius are very reputable companies. But final pricing and margins could be an issue. That leaves Japan and South Korea.

I think you are trying. But here is a tip that I think is worthwhile: When building custom mounts like this one where different materials are in use and different designs are used, a very good resource is to think it through and take advantage of a local ironworks or welding shop. tThey are...

As I posted, many different manufacturer's of MC4 connectors are not exactly the same spec as the Staubli (which is the original, real creator of the MC4). In that case, buy some Staubli or a brand like I mentioned in the post above, cut off the old one and install a new one. Fussing around...

Why not just get a molded body wheel barrel and fill it with aggregate and attach a panel to that? It seems to me if the wheel barrel can hold the 5 cu ft of aggregate, the ballast would be equal. They can be angles too and its easy to change directions for different seasons.

In looking at this photo more carefully, it seems to me that the wooden posts supply height. The bracket is attached to the cross rails forming a triangle that is bolted to a piece of hardware with screws into the top of the wooden post. Just looking at this, any wind load on these panels...

I am in San Diego. You can send me a PM if so inclined and maybe we can talk on phone and solve issue.

If you hire a contract manufacturer like Foxconn, etc., you shop around the marketplace and do your research. Then you make your best decision. The same way you found them and contracted with them to build your product, just like Apple with it's Iphone other companies and start ups will find...