diy solar

diy solar

MajicDiver

Location
Southeast Tennessee
Background
Utility Turbine Controls Engineer (Degree BSME, Computer Science Minor)- semi-retired. Before College, US NAVY 6 years, MM2(SS/DV).
Current or Future Solar Power System
Inverter #1: Growatt MIN-11400-TL-XH-US (Version 2) with18.5kW PV installed on 4 strings. Batteries attached to Inverter #1: TWO 19.8 kWh ARO batteries in parallel. Total of 36kW-Hr of useable battery capacity attached to Inverter #1.

Inverter #2: Growatt MIN-11400-TL-XH-US (Version 2) currently with 14.1 kW of PV installed on 3 strings. Batteries attached to Inverter #2: TWO 19.8 kWh ARO batteries in parallel. Total of 36kW-Hr of useable battery capacity attached to Inverter #2.

Off-Grid output of each inverter is switchable (Breakers) to a 11 kW auto-transformer.

The system is wired such that the grid tie output of either inverter can be AC coupled to the off grid output of the other with the proper breaker/disconnect positions.

Typical operation: Inverter #1 in off-grid operation feeding the main panel thru the auto-transformer (Utility 200 amp feed breaker open) with Inverter #2 AC coupled to it. Inverter #2 grid tie output is feeding a sub panel which has a 100 amp feed from the main panel.

Home is approximately 3,700 ft^2 of finished space with four 1-ton mini-splits for heating/cooling. There are two HVAC units (a 4 ton and a 3 ton) that are no longer needed for cooling since the mini-split installs. Both HVAC units are split systems with propane heat – when its too cold for the mini-splits to heat house (Daytime temp <15 DegF), both units are used as needed – the heating side has no starting surge.

Equipment List and Timeline:
1. June-2021: Solar Pump System (1st foray into solar): RPS800 system consisting of brushless DC pump, RPS pump controller and eight 100-watt mono panels. Installed in 265’ deep well, static water level 83’, pump at 120'. System is used intermittently for an irrigation system as well as house water supply backup. Feeds pressure tank in basement and one valve connects to the house system if desired.
a. October, 2021: installed a 120 VAC-to-72 VDC power supply to power the pump controller so that the panels could be connected to an inverter and used full time.
b. October, 2021: Installed SUN 2000GTIL inverter (Grid Tied) and connected the eight panels to it, 4S2P.

2. January, 2022: Removed the SUN 2000GTIL and replaced with Growatt MIN6000TL-XH-US (Grid Tied). Added 16 HQST poly 100-watt panels. 24 100-watt panels total.
3. February, 2022: Added Eight REC320TP2M 120 cell mono panels and Ten REC290TP2 120 cell mono panels (a1 solar store)
4. May, 2022: Added a MIN11400TL-XH-US from Signature Solar (Grid Tied).
5. June, 2022: Added Nine Solarever SE-166*83-370M-120N 120 cell mono panels from Signature Solar.
6. July, 2022: Added one 19.9 kWh Growatt ARO battery (from Renvu), connected to the MIN11400TL-XH-US.
7. August, 2022: Added YUTUO SUN YTS-XT-US 10kW Autotransformer and backup load panel.
8. September, 2022: Added twelve Canadian Solar CS3K-315P/MS 120 cell mono panels from Signature solar.
9. October, 2022: Added ten Canadian Solar CS3K-320P/MS 120 cell mono panels from Signature solar.
10. January, 2023: Added one19.9 kWh Growatt ARO battery (from Renvu) to the MIN6000TL-XH-US.
11. April, 2023: Replaced original V1 MIN11400TL-XH-US inverter with a V2 MIN11400TL-XH-US (from Renvu). The V1 put back in box for spare. Both batteries connected to the new V2.
12. June, 2023: Added a 2nd V2 MIN11400TL-XH-US (from SanTan), replacing the MIN6000TL-XH-US. The MIN6000TL-XH-US was put back in box for use in planned future barn build. Added one 19.9 kWh Growatt ARO battery (from SanTan).
13. July, 21 2023: Took home off grid.
14. March, 2024: Added Thirty Hyundai HiA-S300HG 120 cell mono panels from Signature Solar.
15. April, 2024: Added one 19.9 kWh Growatt ARO battery (from Self2Solar) to the 2nd V2 inverter. Two 19.9 kWh ARO batteries now connected to the 2nd V2 MIN11400TL-XH-US (from SanTan).
16. May, 2024: Added Seventeen Hyundai HiA-S300HG 120 cell mono panels from Signature Solar.

Signature

My System is described in detail in the "About" section of my profile, summary below:
1. Two MIN-11400-TL-XH-US Growatt inverters.
2. Total PV=32.6 kW.
3. USABLE Battery Capacity: 72 kWh, half on each inverter.
4. Off grid since July, 2023.

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